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Military Members and the Political Process

  • Published
  • By 87th ABW/JA
  • 87th ABW/JA
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The 2016 presidential campaign is underway, it is a good time to refresh our memories on the rules governing political activity by military service members.

As military personnel, we enjoy the same rights to participate in elections as any other citizen.  Those rights are protected by the U.S. Constitution that each of us has taken an oath to support and defend. Because of that oath, we also have a duty to ensure that our activities do not inject the military into the political process. To put it simply, as individuals we do not have to be politically neutral, but the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard do.

To help ensure there is no confusion between individual expression and institutional interference, here are some general rules to follow.

What Active Duty Servicemembers CAN Do:
· Vote and encourage others to vote.
· Voice your opinions.
· Write a letter to the editor, blog, or social media - however, if you identify yourself as an active duty servicemember you must include a statement that your views do not represent the Department of Defense (DoD) or Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
· Attend partisan or non-partisan political rallies as a spectator during off-duty hours - however servicemembers (including retirees) may not be in uniform.
· Sign petitions for legislative action or to place a candidate's name on the ballot.
· Donate money to a political party, organization, or committee.
· Display non-offensive bumper stickers on your personally owned vehicles.
· Wear political t-shirts or buttons when not in uniform, performing military duties, or when it could give the appearance of DoD or DHS endorsement.

What Active Duty Servicemembers CANNOT Do:
· Express personal opinions as if they were Air Force policy.
· Make derogatory statements about political leadership - a potential UCMJ violation.
· Lead, sponsoring, or speaking at partisan political events.
· Engage in partisan political fundraising activities - except as a donor.
· Place large political signs on your vehicle (bigger than a bumper-sticker).
· Display any type of political sign, banner, poster, or similar device in your office or work area or on-base residence (even if it is in privatized housing).
· Attend a demonstration on the installation, unless approved by the installation commander.
· Sign/circulate a petition on the installation, unless it is approved by the installation commander.
· Engage in the public or organized recruitment of others to run for political office.
· Attempt to influence the view, position, or vote of any subordinate.

There are penalties for violating these regulations, including potential prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice or other federal and state laws.  For more information, see DoDD 1344.10, Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces; AFI 1-1, Air Force Standards; and AFI 51-902, Political Activities by Members of the Air Force.

DoD civilian employees' political activities are regulated by the Hatch Act. For more information visit https://osc.gov/Pages/HatchAct.aspx.

If you want to vote but aren't sure how to register or receive a ballot, go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program or FVAP.gov or contact our installation's voting assistance office at 609-754-8683 or vote.jbmdl@us.af.mil.

If you have any questions about your participation in the political process, please contact the JAG office at 609-754-2010.