First Amendment Auditor Jeff Gray Confronted by Military Police Outside Camp Blanding

🎥 First Amendment Auditor Jeff Gray Confronted by Military Police Outside Camp Blanding

STARKE, Fla. — In a video posted on YouTube on December 2, 2014 on the channel @HONORYOUROATH has garnered significant online attention, First Amendment auditor and independent journalist Jeff Gray documented his interaction with military police while filming the exterior of Camp Blanding Joint Training Center from a public sidewalk along State Road 16.

🛑 Aggressive Confrontation from Military Police

As Gray exercised his constitutional right to record from a public right-of-way, he was approached by Specialist Ruiz, a military police officer from the base, who placed his hand on his firearm and demanded that Gray “stay right there.” The interaction quickly escalated in tone, with Ruiz questioning Gray’s intentions and asserting authority despite Gray being on public land.

Gray remained calm throughout the encounter, asserting his rights and refusing to provide identification, stating:

"I’m just taking pictures from public property, which is perfectly legal."

🪖 De-escalation by Supervising Officer

Toward the end of the video, a higher-ranking military police supervisor (Chief Military Police, Mayor Dillard, Ruiz's chief) arrives on the scene. After a brief assessment, the superior de-escalates the situation and acknowledges Gray’s legal right to record from public space. The tone noticeably shifts as the supervisor instructs Ruiz and others to let Gray continue his work without interference. "I'm an oath keeper" Mayor Dillard said.

⚖️ Public Reaction and Legal Implications

The video, which has circulated on platforms like YouTube and Reddit, has sparked debate around:

• Constitutional rights vs. military security

• The professionalism of law enforcement and military personnel in public interactions

• The importance of de-escalation and informed command leadership

Critics argue that Specialist Ruiz displayed unnecessary aggression and a lack of understanding of public photography rights, while others commend Gray for remaining calm and professional in a tense situation.

✅ Bottom Line

Jeff Gray’s audit outside Camp Blanding serves as another high-profile example in the growing movement of First Amendment audits. The incident underscores the need for ongoing training in public rights and de-escalation—particularly in interactions between armed personnel and citizens lawfully engaged in journalistic activities.