Certain political activities off-limits to active duty military personnel

Published April 25, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Lyman Cole
375th Air Mobility Wing Judge Advocate Office

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The increasing influx of commercials, editorials, bumper stickers and buttons reminds military members that it's a presidential election year. While it is our duty to exercise our democratic right and vote, there are certain political activities that are off limits to active duty military personnel. These restrictions are meant to keep the military a politically neutral establishment by avoiding partisan politics. They are set out in an Air Force instruction and Department of Defense directive.

These statutes are implemented by DoD Directive 1344.10, Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces on Active Duty. The Air Force has further implemented the DoD policy in AFI 51-902, Political Activities by Members of the U.S. Air Force. The primary purpose of these regulations is to prohibit any activity that associates a uniformed servicemember with a partisan political cause or candidate. Any violation of these regulations could be chargeable under Article 92 of the UCMJ, Failure to Obey a Lawful Regulation.

Prohibited activities include:

· Using official authority or influence to solicit votes for a particular candidate or issue, or to solicit political contributions.

· Participating in partisan political management, campaigns, or conventions.

· Attending, as an official Air Force representative, partisan political events, even without actively participating.

· Speaking before a partisan political gathering or participating in any radio, television, or other program as an advocate for a partisan political party or candidate.

· Distributing partisan political petitions, literature, badges, or buttons.

· Serving in any official capacity or being listed as a sponsor of a partisan political club.

· Performing clerical or other duties (including partisan voter transportation efforts) for a partisan political committee during the campaign or on election day.

· Marching or riding in a partisan political parade.

· Displaying large political signs, posters, or banners on privately owned vehicles.

· Selling tickets for, or otherwise actively promoting, political dinners and fundraising events.

· Soliciting or receiving campaign contributions from other members of the military or civilian employees.

Military members may:

· Promote and encourage voting, without attempting to influence for whom or what the vote is cast.

· Express personal opinions on political issues and candidates, but not as a representative of the military.

· Join a political club and attending club meetings or rallies when not in uniform.

· Attend partisan or nonpartisan political gatherings as a spectator when not in uniform.

· Sign petitions as a private citizen if no obligation for participation in partisan political activity is incurred.

· Write letters to the editor of periodical expressing personal views concerning public, nonpartisan issues, without promoting a partisan political cause.

· Appoint unit voting officers.

· Wear badges and buttons in civilian attire and off-duty.

· Display a political bumper sticker on private automobile (commanders have the inherent authority to preserve good order and discipline so the use of indecent language may become subject to a commander's right to regulate).

· Contribute to political parties or election committees, except no contribution directly to a partisan political candidate, another military member or an employee of the federal government.

· Participate in local nonpartisan political campaigns (e.g. issues relating to constitutional amendments, referendums, municipal ordinances) when not in uniform and not interfering with military duties.