Mixing Military with Politics

  • Published
  • By Capt. Judd R. Bean II
  • 374th Airlift Wing Legal Office
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  After years of intense campaigning, the 2008 Presidential Election has finally come to an end. However, the next election season is always right around the corner. Airmen are encouraged to carry out the obligations of their citizenship, but they must be aware of the limits on their political participation. The appearance of military influence of the political process must be avoided. For military members, participation is limited specifically by Federal Law, Department of Defense Directive 1344.10 and Air Force Instruction 51-902, Political Activities by Members of the U.S. Air Force. 

Political participation by military members hinges on the general principal that active duty servicemembers shall not engage in partisan political activity. Essentially, this includes any activity that supports or relates to a candidate or issue identified with a national or state political party. 

The following lists highlight some examples of how to avoid engaging in partisan political activity. Please note the list is not comprehensive. While nonactive duty members are not subject to the same restrictions, they still must avoid any inference that their political activity implies official sponsorship by the DoD. Servicemembers should contact the base legal office before engaging in any questionable political activity. Violations are chargeable under Article 92, UCMJ, as failure to obey a lawful order or regulation. Furthermore, Article 88, UCMJ, applies to commissioned officers and is punitive in nature. 

Permissible Activities
· Promoting and encouraging voting, without attempting to influence for whom or what the vote is cast.
· Joining a political club and attending club meeting or rallies when not in uniform.
· Attending partisan or nonpartisan political gatherings as a spectator when not in uniform.
· Wearing badges and buttons in civilian attire and off-duty.
· Contributing to political parties or election committees.
· Expressing personal opinions on political issues and candidates, but not as a representative of the military.
· Displaying a political bumper sticker on a private automobile. However, large political signs, banners or posters are not authorized.
· Signing petitions as a private citizen if no obligation for participation in partisan political activity is incurred.
· Writing letters to the editor or a periodical expressing personal views concerning public, nonpartisan issues, without promoting a partisan political cause. (Any letter to the editor of a newspaper that identifies you as active duty must explicitly state that the views are person and not the DoDs).
· Make monetary contributions to a political organization, party or committee favoring a particular candidate (subject to campaign finance limits under 2 U.S.C. §441(a) and 18 U.S.C. §607). However, you may not make monetary contributions directly to a candidate. 

Prohibited Activities
· Do a radio or television interview as an advocate for a particular candidate or cause.
· Be a candidate or hold civil office except as authorized in AFI 51-902, paragraphs 5 and 6.
· Distribute partisan political petitions, literature, badges, or buttons.
· March or ride in a partisan political parade.
· Solicit or receive campaign contributions from other members of the military or civilian employees.
· Use contemptuous words against the office holders described in Title 10 U.S.C. §888.
· Sell tickets for or otherwise actively promote political dinners and fund-raising events. · Use official authority or influence to solicit votes for a particular candidate or issue.
· Attend, as an official Air Force representative, partisan political events even without actively participating.
· Sign a petition as a representative of the armed forces, or if it obligates you to engage in partisan political activities.

The election season is an exciting and important time for the United States. Airmen are encouraged to inform themselves on the issues of the election and exercise their rights as citizens.