Political activities, voting assistance help for Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Military personnel must understand the base has many tools and resources available for voting assistance and the political activities that are permitted and prohibited by Department of Defense guidelines.

"As the 366th Fighter Wing voting assistance officer, I want to make sure Gunfighters have access to voting information and specific DoD rules when engaging in political events," said Maj. Dong Park, 366th Force Support Squadron operations officer. "We have Airmen from every functional group on base whose additional duty is acting as a squadron VAO."

These Airmen are trained to handle every voting issue.

"Important information such as absentee voting requirements and individual state primary registration can be answered by a qualified VAO," said Park.

With Gunfighters from every corner of America, base VAO's are committed to achieving one particular goal from base senior leadership.

"We are definitely Gunfighters helping take care of Gunfighters, one of our commander's priorities, by showing them the steps to take in exercising their right to vote because most of us are not Idaho residents," said Park. "VAO's also advise Airmen on authorized ways to participate in political activities."

DoD Directive 1344.10, Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces, gives specific information to military personnel.

"As a VAO, I have many people who are interested in participating in presidential and congressional election activities," said Senior Airman Mario Calabro, 366th Comptroller Squadron budget analyst. "As VAO's we try to inform active-duty personnel they have the constitutional right to voice their political stances but must be respectful of others as well."

Certain activities such as participating in televised political fundraising activities and displaying political signs and banners are prohibited in certain circumstances.

"Military personnel need to remember they have the right to participate as long as they are not in any kind of military uniform," said Park. "This includes a shirt or sweatpants which say Air Force or Army, etc."

There are also particular guidelines for DoD civilian employees.

"Federal employees have the same basic rules to follow as active duty personnel," said Park. "The Federal Hatch Act deals specifically with those employees."

The Act was originally passed in 1939 and amended in 1993 to ensure federal employees are protected from coercion and assures the public that the government is being run in a nonpartisan manner.

For more information on acceptable or prohibited political activities or questions about voting contact the base voting office at vote@mountainhome.af.mil.