SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, DC 20301-1000

 

JUN 1 1 2019
MEMORANDUM FOR ALL DOD PERSONNEL

SUBJECT: Political Activities

All DOD personnel, Service members, and civilian employees alike, swear an oath to
protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Those of us privileged to serve our
Nation, in and out of uniform, in the DOD must be the epitome of American values and ethics.
Our mission, to protect and defend the Nation, is apolitical.

DOD has a long-standing policy of encouraging its personnel to carry out the obligations
of citizenship, which includes permitting certain political activities. However, our policy and
tradition also limit active partisan political activities or actions that could appear to imply DOD
sponsorship, approval, or endorsement of a political candidate, campaign, or cause. All Service
members should familiarize themselves with our policy in DOD Directive 1344.10. While many
civilian DOD employees may take an active part in certain political activities, the extent and
nature of their participation is limited by the Hatch Act and DOD policy. Regardless of whether
civilian employees may engage in political activity, they may never engage in such activity while
on-duty or in a Federal building.

I call on leaders at all levels in the Department to reinforce the apolitical nature of 
military and civilian service and professionalism, while ensuring all personnel remain free to .
exercise the responsibilities of citizenship as laws and regulations allow.

 

Patrick M. Shanahan
Acting

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
1000 DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, DC 20301-1000

JUN 1 1 2019

 

MEMORANDUM FOR CHIEF MANAGEMENT OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF

DEFENSE

SECRETARIES OF THE MILITARY DEPARTMENTS

CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF

UNDER SECRETARIES OF DEFENSE

CHIEF OF THE NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU

GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

DIRECTOR OF COST ASSESSMENT AND PROGRAM
EVALUATION

INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR LEGISLATIVE
AFFAIRS

ASSISTANT TO THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PUBLIC
AFFAIRS

DIRECTOR OF NET ASSESSMENT

DIRECTORS OF DEFENSE AGENCIES

DIRECTORS OF DOD FIELD ACTIVITIES

SUBJECT: Political Activities of Service Members

All personnel, Service members, and civilian employees alike, swear an oath to
protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Those of us privileged to serve our
Nation, in and out of uniform, in the must be the epitome of American values and ethics.
Our mission and our ethos as military professionals are apolitical.

has a long-standing policy of encouraging military personnel to carry out the
obligations of citizenship, which includes permitting certain political activities. However, our
policy and tradition also clearly limit active duty members from engaging in partisan political
activities or actions that could appear to imply sponsorship, approval, or endorsement of a
political candidate, campaign, or cause. Political activity by members of the Armed Forces
continues to be governed by Directive 1344.10, which speci?cally lays out this policy.

I expect you to remind leaders at all levels in the Department to reinforce the apolitical
nature of military service and professionalism, while ensuring all Service members remain free
to exercise the responsibilities of citizenship as laws and regulations allow.

an. 

Qw?iwk

Patrick M. Shanahan
Acting