Play by the rules

The peaceful transition of power in this nation is one of the hallmarks of our great Republic.

While the 2016 election has passed, there are still rules that govern how active duty service members conduct themselves in regards to politics and political activities.

Military members cannot participate in activities in uniform which could imply the Air Force or Department of Defense consent such activities. Examples include unofficial public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies or any public demonstration.

Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wrote in in Joint Force Quarterly’s July issue reminding troops not to politicize the election.

“What we must guard against is allowing our institutions to become politicized, or perceived as being politicized, by how we conduct ourselves during engagements with the media, public or in open forums.”

Earlier this year, an active duty service member from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, attended a rally for president-elect Donald Trump. The member was allowed to attend as a spectator and not in uniform. However, during the event the service member punched a protester who was being led out of the rally.

The service member was in civilian clothes, but was quickly identified as an Airman in the media coverage that followed.

“Air Force policy encourages active duty members to carry out the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship, which includes participating in the political process in their personal capacity,” said Roxanne McMahon, 5th Bomb Wing Staff Judge Advocate civilian attorney. “However, they must be aware their actions can and often will be tied to their military affiliation.”

It is also important to understand the consequences of participating in political activities while in uniform.

Engaging in prohibited activates could subject a service member to prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

These rules are in place to maintain good order and discipline and avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of improper endorsement in political matters.

As some civil unrest continues to surround the election results, remember participation in uniform is unauthorized, shouldn’t take place on base, and must be peaceful and only be done in a personal capacity.

Active duty service members may express their personal views on public issues or political candidates on social media, however, if a social media site or post identifies the member as active duty, the entry must clearly state the views expressed are those of only the individual and not the DOD.

Furthermore, a service member may not post or make direct links to a political party, partisan political candidate, campaign, group or cause. Doing so is equivalent to distributing literature on behalf of those entities or individuals, which is also prohibited by the DOD.

A service member may not post or comment on political parties or causes’ Facebook or Twitter accounts, however, a service member may “follow” their accounts.

Service members must also refrain from engaging in social media activities that would constitute as political activity. This would include suggesting others “like,” “friend,” or “follow” the political party, partisan political candidate, campaign, group, or cause, forwarding an invitation to others.

Ash Carter, Secretary of Defense, echoed the words of Dunford, when he recently stated, “I am very proud of the way each and every one of you conducted yourselves during this campaign by standing apart from politics and instead focusing on our sacred mission of providing security.”

Let’s continue that tradition.