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***image1***With the upcoming presidential elections, people may wonder what the rules of engagement are for expressing opinions about the candidates and various political issues.
As a military member, there are federal statutes and regulations that govern political activities. These rules are designed mainly to maintain a politically neutral military through avoidance of partisan politics.
Do’s
Of course, you can – and should – vote. Additionally, while out of uniform (both literally and figuratively), you can express your personal opinion on political candidates and issues, attend political meetings or rallies, sign legislative petitions, write letters to the editor of a newspaper about non-partisan public issues, or display a non-contemptuous political button or bumper sticker.
Don’ts
However, as a military member – even when out of uniform — you may not participate in partisan political management, publicly solicit votes for a political candidate, speak at partisan political gatherings, make campaign contributions to a political candidate, use contemptuous words against the President, Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of any military department, or display a large (bigger than bumper sticker-sized) political message on your POV.
The Air Force encourages members to carry out the obligations of citizenship to the maximum extent possible consistent with the restrictions imposed by law. Some good rules of thumb to follow to stay out of trouble are: limit political speech while in uniform, do not use government time or resources for political purposes, and avoid any implication the Air Force endorses or supports a particular political cause or activity.
For more information, see AFI 51-902, Political Activities by Members of the U.S. Air Force, or call the legal office at 480-5911.
