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Off Base Solicitation – An Important Reminder

  • Published
  • Base Legal Office
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  As we get swept up in the holiday spirit, busily planning office parties and friendly get-togethers, it is all too easy to forget the rules that govern acceptable behavior. We become impatient at the notion we must place limits on our zeal.

A disturbing trend has developed that Team Fairchild members must be made aware of: improper off-base solicitation. It is never acceptable to solicit for gifts or donations while in uniform. In addition, there are other limitations on when and how a service member may solicit for gifts.

In a 2004 Standards of Conduct Office advisory, the Department of Defense Standards of Conduct Office directly addressed this issue. The advisory states, "Federal personnel, in their official capacities (in uniform or using their office or authority) may not solicit outside of their organizations...If you need to raise funds for...unofficial activities for your DoD organization...ensure Federal personnel who are soliciting funds [or gifts] do so without referring to their office, title, position, or authority; are not in uniform; do not solicit from subordinates; and do not solicit from prohibited sources."

This does not mean you cannot get into the spirit of the season. It does not mean you cannot celebrate with your co-workers. What it does mean is you cannot go into area businesses in uniform and ask them to donate door prizes, free gifts, or other incentives for your office party. You cannot use official e-mail or letter head to solicit gifts. Even when you are not in uniform you may not use your office title (i.e., Assistant Staff Judge Advocate) or position to gain favor from area businesses. And you may not conduct yourself in any manner that implies Fairchild, Air Force or DOD endorsement of your fundraising and gift-soliciting activities.

An important side note: this rule also applies to soliciting for gifts for our deployed members.

If you have any questions, seek counsel from the base legal office at 247-2838.