Ethics Counselor Toolbox.  The Toolbox is intended to provide additional resources for DoD Ethics Counselors. In it, you will find the relevant Deskbook chapter, training presentations, and other materials, such as white papers, templates, forms, and worksheets. Note: In using these tools for your own program, please ensure that you replace any references to SOCO with your ethics office contact information.
 

• DSD Memo on Political Activities (2024)
• 2023 OSC Opinion - President Biden Candidacy
• 2020 OSC Opinion - Political Activities After Election Day
• 2020 Election Year Guidance 
• Political Activity Quick Guide (2022)
• Political Activity Quick Guide for Military Personnel  (2024)
• Political Activity Rules for "Further Restricted" DoD Civilians (2024)
• Political Activity Rules for "Less Restricted" DoD Civilians (2024)
• Political Activity FAQs for Military Personnel (2024)
• Partisan Political Activity Rules for PAS Officials (2024)
• Political Activity Rules for DoD Political Appointees, DoD Directive 1442.11
• Social Media and the Hatch Act (2018)
• Hatch Act Social Media Quick Guide  (2018)
• Hatch Act Social Media Refresher Handout (2021)
• The Hatch Act and Teleworking (2020)
• FAQs on Political Activities for Members of the Armed Forces (2020)

Note:  These Handouts provide general information. They are not a substitute for obtaining advice from ethics counsel on the application of the ethics laws and regulations to a specific set of facts and circumstances.

All DoD personnel - military and civilian - should be mindful of the various limitations that exist when it comes to participation in political activity, particularly during an election year.  A quick summary of the rules and links to substantive guidance are provided below.

Guidance for Civilian Employees: For DoD civilians, participation in political activity is regulated by a number of sources: the Hatch Act (5 U.S.C. §§ 7321 - 7326), implementing regulations (5 C.F. R. § 733 and 5 C.F.R. § 734), as well as DoD policy. For purposes of the Hatch Act, political activity is defined as "an activity directed toward the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political office or partisan political group". Because application of the rules may vary depending on an employee's position or office, it is extremely important that employees who are considering engaging in political activity know which rules apply.

With regard to civilian employees, there are two sets of restrictions for three groups of employees. The first and more restrictive set of restrictions applies to: (1) individuals appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate and individuals serving in non-career SES positions; and (2) career members of the SES, contract appeals board members, and all employees of the National Security Agency (NSA), the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and the National Geo-Spatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). The second and more lenient set of restrictions applies to all other employees (including Schedule C political appointees).

Employees in Groups 1 and 2 are prohibited from taking an active part in partisan political management or political campaigns and are referred to as "further restricted" employees.

Guidance for Military Personnel: The primary guidance concerning political activity for military members is found in DoD Directive 1344.10 [Guidance for Military Personnel]. Per longstanding DoD policy, active duty personnel may not engage in partisan political activities and all military personnel should avoid the inference that their political activities imply or appear to imply DoD sponsorship, approval, or endorsement of a political candidate, campaign, or cause. Members on active duty may not campaign for a partisan candidate, engage in partisan fundraising activities, serve as an officer of a partisan club, or speak before a partisan gathering. Active duty members may, however, express their personal opinions on political candidates and issues, make monetary contributions to a political campaign or organization, and attend political events as a spectator when not in uniform. The DoD Office of Legal Policy is the primary POC for questions regarding political activity for military members.  For more information, please call 703-697-3387.