Political activity in the Air Force Published June 19, 2007 92nd Air Refueling Wing Legal Office FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Adams versus Jackson. Hayes versus Tilden. Cleveland versus Harrison. Bush versus Gore. Where politics are concerned, passions often run high. This is especially true when the issues or the candidates are hotly contested. Although the Presidential election is still more than a year away, the election machinery is already in full gear, and many military members have firm ideas and beliefs about how the election should play out. As citizens, it is the duty of every Air Force member to be part of the political process (at the local as well as the national level), to affect changes through their votes, and to choose their leaders. However, there must be a separation between partisan politics and military activities. It is imperative that Air Force members behave in a manner that does not call into question civilian control over the military. AFI 51-902, Political Activities by Members of the US Air Force, deals directly with the limits on Air Force members' political activities. The main purpose of the instruction is to prohibit those activities that would associate an active duty member with partisan political activity. Air Force members on active duty MAY NOT: - Use official authority or influence to interfere with an election, to affect its course or outcome, to solicit votes for a particular candidate or issue, or to require or solicit political contributions from others. - Participate in partisan political management, campaigns, or conventions, or make public speeches in the course of such activity. - Serve in any official capacity or be listed as a sponsor of a partisan political club. - Speak before a partisan political gathering of any kind for promoting a partisan political party or candidate. - Participate in any radio, television, or other program or group discussion as an advocate of a partisan political party or candidate. - Perform clerical or other duties for a partisan political committee during a campaign or on election day. - Solicit or otherwise engage in fund-raising activities in federal offices or facilities, including military reservations, for a partisan political cause or candidate. - March or ride in a partisan political parade. - Attend, as an official representative of the Armed Forces, partisan political events, even without actively participating. - Make campaign contributions to a partisan political candidate. - Sell tickets for, or otherwise actively promote, political dinners and other such fund-raising events. Air Force members on active duty MAY: - Register to vote, vote, and express a personal opinion on political candidates and issues, but not as a representative of the Armed Forces. - Attend political meetings and rallies as a spectator when not in uniform. - Join a political club and attend its meetings when not in uniform. - Sign a petition for specific legislative action or a petition to place a candidate's name on an official election ballot, if the signing does not obligate the member to engage in partisan political activity and is done as a private citizen and not as a representative of the Armed Forces. - Display a political sticker on the member's private vehicle, or wear a political button when not in uniform and not on duty. These lists are not exhaustive. Before you participate in any political activities make sure to review AFI 51-902. In general, use common sense and avoid any activities that would give the impression the Air Force was associated with a partisan cause or candidate. For more information, contact the legal office at (509) 647-2838 or DSN 247-2838.
