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Show HILLTOP TIMES TIMES October 2, 2008 How Airmen can stay above the partisan political fray to partake in partisan political activity and is not done as a representative of the Air Force. Ogden Air Logistics Center • Write a "letter to the editor" expressing personal Office of the Staff Judge Advocate political views, but not as part of an organized writing campaign or in an attempt to solicit votes for or owadays all it takes is a casual glance at against a particular candidate. the news to realize we are in the thick But, you MAY NOT of election season. Come November, the • Conduct an opinion poll or distribute political litprocess will culminate with the American people erature for a partisan group. electing the 44th president of the United States. • Allow a partisan article that solicits votes signed Voting for our elected officials is the right and obor written by you to be published. ligation of all citizens of the United States, including Airmen and Air Force civilian employees. • Participate in an organized effort to provide transportation to the polls for voters if said effort is The Department of Defense encourages all members to exercise their right to vote and supports mem- organized or associated with a partisan group, political bers in this pursuit. However, it also strongly adheres party, or candidate. • Participate in partisan political management, parto the tradition of military neutrality in partisan politics. As guardians of our country, members of our Air tisan political campaigns, or conventions except as a Force hold a special position of respect in society. This spectator. role necessitates that we remain detached from the • Perform clerical or other duties for a partisan poday-to-day skirmishes of American politics. litical committee during a campaign or on an election day. Unfortunately, the line between exercising one's • Use official authority or influence to interfere right to vote and engaging in partisan politics is not always clear. Worse, there can be steep penalties for with an election, affect the course or outcome of an election, solicit votes for a particular candidate or iscrossing the line. Partisan political activities are defined as "activity supporting or relating to candidates sue, or require or solicit political contributions from representing, or issues specifically identified with, others. national or state political parties and associated or an- Making monetary donations cillary organizations or clubs." You MAY: Here are some helpful tips on political participation: • Make monetary contributions to political organizations or parties within the limits of the law. Exercising your right to vote But, you MAY NOT, • Make monetary contributions directly to a candiYou MAY: date. • Register, vote and express personal opinion on political candidates and issues, but not as a representa• Make or receive monetary contributions to sometive of the Air Force. one affiliated with the Air Force or U.S. government • Promote and encourage other Airmen to exercise (member or civilian) to be used for promoting a political cause or objective. their voting rights, but only do so in a general sense. One cannot hide campaigning activities behind the • Become listed as an official sponsor of a partisan guise of encouraging other members to vote. club or serve as an official in said group. • Do any form of political fundraising on Federal Showing political support property (example, Hill AFB). You MAY: • Sell tickets or promote partisan fundraising • Join political clubs and attend their meetings, but events. not while in uniform. Advertising your political beliefs • Serve as an election official, so long as the position is not tied to a partisan political party, does not interYou MAY: fere with official duties, is not performed in uniform, • Display a small political sticker on your POV. and has prior approval from the Secretary of Defense But, you MAY NOT: or the Secretary's designee. • Display large political signs, banners or posters • Sign petitions (example, petition in support of leg- on your POV. islation) so long as the petition does not require signer • Use contemptuous words against the president, BY CAPT. GRAHAM H. BERNSTEIN N vice president, members of Congress, Secretary of Defense, secretary of any branch of the military, Secretary of Transportation, or the governor or legislator of any state, territory, commonwealth or possession in . which you are on duty. Attending politicial rallies You MAY: • Attend political rallies, but not as a participant (example, giving a speech at said rally) and not in uniform. But, you MAY NOT. • Attend any partisan political event in your official capacity as a representative of the Air Force. • Speak before a partisan political gathering. • Participate in any radio, television or other program as an advocate for or against a political party, candidate or cause. • March or ride in a partisan political parade. Additionally, there is a "catch all" provision requiring Airmen to refrain from engaging in any action that would directly or indirectly associate the DoD with a partisan political activity or would otherwise be contrary to the spirit and intention of the above rules. This tenet serves as general rule of thumb, emember that Airmen, both on duty and off, are representatives of our Air Force and the United States government. As a government representative and a servant and defender of our nation, Airmen hold a special position of respect in society. It is our duty to ensure we do not abuse that respect by using it to inappropriately influence partisan politics. The above rules are designed to ensure Airmen remain above the "political fray" and true to our purpose as defenders in service of our na- • tion. For more information on the rules of political ac- : tivities by Airmen see DoD Directive 1344.10 and 18 U.S.C. § 1913. It is important to note, DoD Directive 1344.10 also regulates members running for a Civil Office in the federal, state or non-U.S. government. Further, although this article deals mainly with Airmen's political participation there are also regulations pertaining to civilian Air Force employees. Information for civilian employees can be found in 5 U.S.C. §§ 7321-7326,5 C.F.R. Parts 733, 734, and DEPSECDEF Memorandum, "Civilian Employees' Participation in Political Activities," May 31, 2006. An article with guidance on civilian employee involvement in political activities for the Hilltop Times is forthcoming. Questions regarding political participation can be directed to the Base Legal Office Civil Law Department at 801-777-4886. Varicose Veins.. Afraid of Surgery* Now there's a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of large varicose veins. • Multiple non-surgical treatments available • Clinically effective with documented three year follow-up *FREE Vein Screening -Call Today!Procedure covered by most insurance companies. Before After I'•IMI Trust us to renew your legs with this gentler, non-surgical alternative to surgical vein stripping. Davis Surgical Associates N 0 RTHERN WA See us for an answer: In a single day, Golf as many holes as possible with a cart, hit as many range balls as you want, and play as much Mini Golf as you want for only $30. 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