Political activity general limitations for service members Published June 23, 2015 By 20th Fighter Wing Judge Advocate SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Political activities by Air Force members may be restricted in order to achieve the goal of a politically neutral military. The Air Force provides guidance on permissible and impermissible political activities in Air Force Instruction 51-902, Political Activities by Members of the US Air Force. It is Air Force policy to encourage active duty members to carry out their rights and responsibilities as US citizens. Permissible political activities include registering to vote; voting; expressing a personal opinion on political candidates and issues, but not as a representative of the Air Force; making monetary contributions to a political organization or political committee favoring a particular candidate or slate of candidates; attending political meetings or rallies as a spectator when not in uniform; joining a political club and attending meetings when not in uniform; signing a petition for specific Legislative action if the signing is done as a private citizen; displaying a political sticker on the member's private vehicle; and wearing a political button when not in uniform and not on duty. However, military members who violate the prohibitions, or fail to comply with mandatory requirements, are subject to disciplinary action under Article 92, UCMJ. Prohibited activities include attending partisan political events in uniform, even if not actively participating; acting in a manner that could give rise to the appearance of official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement; participating in partisan or non-partisan political activities on government property or while utilizing government facilities or resources; displaying a large political sign, banner, or poster on your private vehicle; using official authority to solicit votes for a particular candidate or issue; participating in partisan political campaigns; allowing, or causing to be published, partisan political articles; serving in any official capacity of a partisan political club; performing clerical duties for a partisan political committee; soliciting or engaging in fundraising in federal offices, facilities, or military installations; marching or riding in a partisan political parade; participating in any organized effort to provide voters with transportation to the polls if the effort is organized by or associated with a political party or candidate; displaying a partisan political sign, poster, banner or similar device at one's residence on a military installation, even if the housing is privatized; selling tickets for or actively promoting partisan political dinners and other fund-raising events; finally, commissioned officers may not use contemptuous words against the President, Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of any military department, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the governor or legislature of any state in which they are on duty or present. For questions about specific activity not included here, see AFI 51-902 or call the 20th Fighter Wing Legal Office at (803) 895-1560.