Political Activity by Air Force Members Published Sept. 18, 2008 By Maj. John Fredland and Capt. Aaron Wilson 92nd Air Refueling Wing Judge Advocate FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- While the campaigning has been going on for months, election season is now in full swing. Many of you likely have strong feelings about the candidates and who would be best suited to hold our nation's highest office. You are to be commended for your interest in our government. Regardless of your political views, most of us agree that the outcome of this election will affect us as citizens and servicemembers. Our right and privilege to vote is one of the most important reasons why our forefathers fought and died to establish the United States of America. However, we who wear the uniform are not the average citizen, and some special rules apply to our rights to engage in the political process. For all active duty Airmen, AFI 51-902, Political Activities by Members of the US Air Force, provides mandatory guidelines on political participation. These rules exist because the military is and must appear to be politically neutral. Unlike some other countries in history, we have not sworn allegiance to a particular politician but to the Constitution. So what can and can't we Airmen do during this campaign season? Foremost, we maintain the most fundamental right: to cast a vote for the candidate of our choice. We can continue to vote as a member of our home state, town and district, no matter where our service might take us. Alternatively, we can register to vote where we are stationed, provided that we meet that state's registration requirements. (The state of Washington, for example, requires only that we live here for 30 days before an election.) On the other hand, the rules preclude us from using our official authority and influence to affect the outcome of an election, to solicit votes for a candidate, or to solicit political contributions for others. These prohibitions stem from the longstanding principle of a politically neutral military. Relatedly, we maintain the right to express our personal opinion on political issues and candidates, as long as we are not expressing that opinion in an official or service-related capacity. For example, while having dinner with a friend, you could discuss a recent debate and why you thought one candidate had better policies. However, you could not write the same message in a letter to the editor of the local newspaper using your rank or official position. Article 88 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice further restricts commissioned officers' political speech; it criminalizes "contemptuous words" against the president, vice president, Congress and many other political officials. Over the years, members of the military have been prosecuted or administratively sanctioned for criticizing Presidents Lincoln, Wilson, Coolidge, Roosevelt, Truman, Johnson, Clinton and Bush. Active-duty Airmen face significant limitations on participation in partisan political activities. Forbidden activities include serving in partisan political management and campaigns, marching and riding in partisan political parades, giving speeches at partisan political gatherings, and appearing on radio, television, or other programs or group discussions as an advocate of a partisan political party or candidate. We may join political clubs and attend meetings when not in uniform, but we cannot serve a partisan political club in an official capacity. We may also attend political rallies as a spectator, as long as we are not in uniform. The rules extend to making political statements on our private vehicles. We can display political bumper stickers, but not large political signs. We can also wear political buttons, when off-duty and not in uniform. Finally, active-duty Airmen may not engage in fundraising activities on Federal facilities for a partisan political candidate, nor may we promote partisan political fundraising events anywhere. Also, Airmen may not make campaign contributions to partisan political candidates, but we may make monetary contributions to a political organization or political committee favoring a particular candidate or slate of candidates, subject to limitations under federal election laws. Hopefully this article has provided you some guidance on the lawful ways for Airmen to engage in the political process during this exciting campaign season. Though some guidelines have been provided above, this is not an exhaustive list and there can be gray areas. If you are not sure whether a particular action is acceptable, read AFI 51-902, contact the legal office at (509) 247-2838 or email the Installation Voting Assistance Officer at 92ARW.Vote@fairchild.af.mil. Also, if you are a resident of another state and need assistance in getting a ballot, contact your squadron's voting assistance officer. Not sure who your voting assistance officer is? Ask your First Sergeant or e-mail the Installation Voting Assistance Officer.