UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 211407Z JUN 19 FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC TO ALNAV INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC CNO WASHINGTON DC ZEN/CMC WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS ALNAV 051/19 MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/JUN// SUBJ/POLITICAL ACTIVITIES OF SERVICE MEMBERS AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES// REF/A/DOC/OSD/DOD DIRECTIVE 1344.10/19FEB2008// REF/B/RMG/CNO/NAVADMIN 055-16/03MAR16// REF/C/RMG/CMC/MARADMIN 603-15/01DEC2015// REF/D/5 USC 7321-7326 AMPN/REF A IS DOD DIRECTIVE ON POLITICAL ACTIVITIES BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES. REFS B AND C ARE POLICY GUIDANCE CONCERNING POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS FOR THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS. REF D IS THE HATCH ACT CONCERNING CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE POLITICAL ACTIVITIES// RMKS/1. Sailors and Marines, along with the Department of the Navy (DON) Civilian Employees, have a long history of supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States. Now that election season is approaching, it is appropriate for us to remember that, as military professionals, we are an apolitical body and our members cannot participate in activities that could appear to imply sponsorship, approval, or endorsement of a political candidate, campaign or cause. 2. I want our Sailors, Marines, and Civilian Employees to carry out the obligations of citizenship, including permitted political activities. At the same time, I require our Service Members and Civilian Employees to be aware of the difference between permitted and prohibited activities. 3. Reference (a) is the governing Department of Defense policy for Service Members. Service Members are encouraged to review references (b) and (c) as they provide an excellent summary of the political activity restrictions. The Hatch Act, reference (d), governs DON Civilian Employee political activities. Political activities are those activities supporting or relating to candidates, national and state political parties, and issues specifically identified with these candidates and organizations. Actions directed either in support of or against a candidate are both political activities. Restrictions vary depending on a Service Members or Civilian Employee's position or office, but it is important to note that no employee may engage in a political activity while on duty or in a federal building. For any questions about what activities are permitted, please contact your local legal office. 4. I continue to be impressed by our people and the strength they bring to the nations democracy. Please continue to be the epitome of American values and ethics as you serve our nation, our Navy, and our Marine Corps. I am confident that our Service Members and Civilian Employees will execute the rights and obligations of citizenship without violating federal laws or regulations governing involvement in political activities. 5. Released by the Honorable Richard V. Spencer, Secretary of the Navy./ BT #9332 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//