New Bush ad violates military regs

I personally feel that this post from Blah3.com is important enought to repost in full:

"New Bush ad violates military regs"

My friend Picosecond at BartCop Forum notes that the 'Forward' ad commits a military no-no.

The latest Bush-Cheney TV ad "Forward"features several military personnel performing duties while wearing their official uniforms. There are several shots of soldiers carrying rifles, a shot of seaman launching a plane from a flight deck, a shot of a soldier flying a helicopter, etc.

It's a blatant violation of military regulations for any military personnel to promote any sort of political message while wearing an official US uniform. And as Commander-in-chief, it's a violation of military regulations for President Bush to direct or cause any member of the military to violate
those regulations.

The specific Army rule that covers this issue can be found on page 8 of Chapter 1 in Army Regulation 670-1, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia:

Army Regulation 670­1
1­10. When the wear of the Army uniform is required or prohibited

[...]

j. Wearing Army uniforms is prohibited in the following situations:
(1) In connection with the furtherance of any political or commercial interests, or when engaged in off-duty civilian employment.

The specific Air Force rule that covers this issue can be found in
Table 1.3 on page 8 of Chapter 1 in AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 36-2903,
DRESS AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF AIR FORCE PERSONNEL:

Table 1.3. Wearing the Uniform.
Members ... Do not wear ... When...furthering political activities, private employment,or commercial interests.

That ad should be pulled, or the military members appearing in them should be disciplined. And given the choice, don't you have the feeling that Bush would keep running the ads and throw the grunts to the wolves?