Note to Sgt. Stein: We Civilians Adhere to Social Media Policies Too

The Marine Corps wants to sack Sgt. Gary Stein for insulting President Obama on his Facebook page with the comment, "Screw Obama. I will not follow all orders from him." After the fact, Stein conceded this comment was tasteless, but then argued he had a First Amendment right to express his opinion.

The Defense Department strictly limits political discussion and activity by service members, including insulting the Commander in Chief, with policies that hark back to the Civil War. The Marines and the Department of Justice say the advent of social media has not changed those policies.

J. Mark Brewer, one of Stein's attorney's, told ABC News that "we feel very strongly that the Department of Defense regulation that was used to oust Sgt. Stein is not constitutional, because the law is really clear that a person does not give up their First Amendment right of free speech when they go into the military."

I have a news flash for Stein and Brewer: Employers outside the military also have policies that put limits on what their workers can do or say on social media. Nextgov is part of Atlantic Media, whose social media policy states: "The Company expects all employees to use good judgment in their online activities (just as in their offline activities) to ensure that they do not reflect poorly on the enterprise or on their fellow employees."

That policy also warns, "The Internet should never be used to air any differences with company customers, employees, departments, or business associates."

I have a very strong hunch if I used Facebook to bash my bosses, I should start redoing my resume.

Despite perceptions that 'anything goes' is he maxim for social media, the reality, in both the military and civilian worlds, is that if you want a paycheck, you need to play by some simple rules.