Brig. Gen. Glen VanHerck |
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RESPONSE
Dan - Thanks for asking. The constitutional freedoms, such as the freedom of speech, that Americans enjoy are what military members guarantee, and visitors to Dyess AFB do not automatically lose them once they enter the installation. On a military installation, however, certain types of bumper stickers, like any other form of speech, are limited when they impact good order and discipline. This applies to everyone on the installation. Air Force Instruction 51-902, which is what governs Airmen on what they can do or say in political activities, provides us some guidelines when it comes to placing a bumper sticker on a vehicle. It states that members of the AF may display a political bumper sticker on the member's private vehicle. For example, an Obama 2012 or Palin 2016 would be an acceptable sticker to display. Additionally, the Hatch Act of 1939 governs executive branch employees, including DoD civilian employees, and the employees of the District of Columbia government and certain state and local agencies, as well as military reservists or Guardsmen working as federal government civilians. The Hatch Act does not prohibit a federal employee from placing a partisan political bumper sticker on his privately owned vehicle and parking that vehicle in a federal parking lot or garage. However, an employee who uses his or her private vehicle on a recurrent basis for official business must cover the political bumper sticker while the vehicle is being used for official duties. In addition, an employee who uses his or her privately owned vehicle on official business must cover the political bumper sticker while the vehicle is being used for official duties, if the vehicle is clearly identified as being on official business. So while I do not have a Dyess-specific policy, I rely on these DOD and AF instructions for guidance. I also hold our active duty members to a higher standard of speech and conduct than other individuals. Consequently, it is possible that a military member might be prohibited from having a bumper sticker that would be permissible for a retiree to display. Stickers that are generally contrary to good order and discipline, such as profane words or images or messages contrary to an environment of dignity and respect may not be allowed. But each case is different, Dan, and we'd want to look at the entire situation before making a decision. Finally, I would like to think that retirees, irrelevant of if they are serving as a civilian or contractor on base, would still adhere to the same guidelines as those on active duty, especially if you identify yourself as having an association with the AF, such as an AF sticker on your vehicle in conjunction with a political message. I hope I've adequately answered your question. If you would like to discuss further please feel free to get in touch with me. Happy holidays!
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