7.1-002

Office of the Grand Marshal

Headquarters, Imperial Service

Fortress Aksum

IMPERIAL SERVICE GRAND MARSHAL DIRECTIVE 7.1-002

Political Activities of Imperial Service Members

1. PURPOSE.

Provide formal authority and established rules for Imperial Service members' engagement in political activities.

2. APPLICABILITY.  

This directive applies to all of the Imperial Service and agencies under the authority of the Grand Marshal.

3. DEFINITIONS.

1. Activity Duty.  Full time duty in the active Imperial Service regardless of duration or purpose.  Active duty includes full-time training duty; annual training duty; and attendance, while in the active service, at a school under the auspices of ISTREDCOM.
2. Call or Order to Active Duty for More Than 90 days.  Any prohibitions or limitations this Directive triggers by a call or order to active duty for more than 270 days begins on the first day of the active duty.
3. Civil Office.  A non-IS office involving the exercise of the powers or authority of civil government, to include elective and appointed office in the Imperial Government, an Imperial State, or other subdivision thereof.  
4. Marshal concerned.  The Vice Grand Marshal, Chief Knight Marshal of the Imperial Guard, Chief Marshal of the ISHQ, Chief Marshal Commander, Chief Provost Marshal General,
5. Political Activity. Activity supporting or relating to candidates, political parties, political organizations or clubs.

4. POLICY.

It is Imperial Service policy to encourage members of the Imperial Service (hereafter referred to as “members”) (including members on active duty, members of the reserve forces not on active duty, and retired members) to carry out the obligations of citizenship.  In keeping with the traditional concept that members on active duty should not engage in partisan political activity, and that members not on active duty should avoid inferences that their political activities imply or appear to imply official sponsorship, or endorsement, the following policy shall apply:

1. General
   1. A member of Imperial Service on active duty may:
      1. Vote and express a personal opinion on political candidates and issues, but not as a representative of the Imperial Service.
      2. Promote and encourage others to exercise their voting franchise, if such promotion does not constitute use of their official authority or influence to interfere with the outcome of any election.
      3. Join a partisan or nonpartisan organization and attend its meetings when not in uniform and it does not interfere with duties.
      4. Serve as an election official, if such serve is not as a representative of a political party, does not interfere with the performance of military duties, is performed not in uniform, and the Marshal concerned has given prior approval.  The Marshal concerned may NOT delegate the authority to grant or deny such permission.
      5. Sign a petition for a specific legislative action or a petition to place a candidate’s name on an official election ballot, if the signing does not obligate the member to engage in partisan politics and is done as a private citizen and not as a representative of the Imperial Service.
      6. Attend political activities, meetings, debates, conventions, or activities as a spectator when not in uniform and when no inference or appearance of official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement can reasonably be drawn.
      7. Run for political office if in the grade of E-14 and below without approval of the Marshal.
   2. A member of the Imperial Service on active duty shall not:
      1. Participate in partisan political fundraising activities (except as permitted elsewhere in this directive), rallies, conventions (including making speeches in support of), management of campaigns, or debates, either on one’s own behalf or on that of another, without respect to uniform or inference or appearance of official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement.  Participation includes more than mere attendance as a spectator. (see subparagraph 4.i.6)
      2. Use official authority or influence to interfere with an election, affect the course or outcome of an election, solicit votes for a particular candidate or issue, or require or solicit political contributions from others.
      3. Allow or cause to be published partisan political articles, letters, or endorsements signed or written by the member that solicits votes for or against a partisan political party, candidate, or cause.
      4. Serve in any official capacity with or be listed as a sponsor of a partisan political club.
      5. Speak (or post) before a partisan political gathering, including any gathering that promotes a political party, candidate, or cause.
      6. Conduct a political opinion survey under the auspices of a partisan political club or group or distribute partisan political literature.
      7. Commissioned officers shall not use contemptuous words per Article 88 of the ISCJ
2. Nomination or Candidacy for Civil Office in the Imperial Government or Imperial State or Other non-Imperial Government Offices.
   1. Paragraph b applies to:
      1. A civil office in the Imperial Government that:
         1. Is an elective office
         2. Requires an appointment by the Grand Chancellor or
         3. Is a position in the Imperial Civil Service
      2. A civil office in an Imperial State, a territory, possession, or any political subdivision thereof.
   2. A regular member, or a retired regular or Reserve Component member on active duty under a call or order to active duty for more than 90 days may not be a nominee or candidate for the offices described in subparagraph 4.b, except when the Marshal concerned grants permission.
      1. The Marshal concerned may Not delegate the authority to grant or deny such permission.
      2. Such permission shall not authorize activity that is otherwise prohibited by other provisions of law or this Directive.
      3. Such permission is required regardless of whether evidence of nomination or candidacy for civil office is filed prior to commencing active duty service or whether the member is an incumbent.
      4. If a member is covered by the prohibition in subparagraph 4..3.2 Becomes a nominee or candidate for civil office prior to commencing active duty, then the member must request permission in writing and submit the request to the Marshal concerned through the chain of command, prior to entering active duty.  The member must understand that if the Marshal concerned does not grant permission, then the member must immediately decline the nomination, withdraw as a candidate, take a leave of absence, or request discharge from Service.
   3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Directive:
      1. Any enlisted member on active duty may seek, hold, and exercise the functions of elected civil office that is at the segment level and below, provided that they are not also  political party members and it does not interfere with the performance of IS duties. For offices above segment level it requires the approval of the Marshal concerned.
      2. Any warrant or commissioned officer on active duty may seek, hold, and exercise the functions of an elected civil office that is at the system level or below, provided that they are not also political party members and it does not interfere with the performance of IS duties. For offices above system level it requires the approval of the Marshal concerned.
3. Additional Limitations on Nomination or Candidacy and Campaigning
   1. Members not on active duty who are nominees or candidates for the offices described above, may, in their campaign literature:
      1. Use or mention, or permit the use or mention of, their rank or grade and service affiliation; BUT they must clearly indicate their retired or reserve status.
      2. Include or permit the inclusion of their current or former specific military duty, or position, or photographs in uniform, when displayed with other non-biological details.  Any such IS information must be accompanied by a prominent and clearly displayed disclaimer that neither the military information nor photographs imply endorsement by the Imperial Service or any of its elements.
   2. Members included in subparagraph 4.3.1.1 may NOT, in campaign literature:
      1. Use or allow the use of any media format of themselves in uniform as the primary graphic presentation in any campaign media.  
      2. Depict or allow themselves to be depicted in uniform or use of a title that does not accurately reflect their actual duty.
   3. Members who are prohibited from running for office are also prohibited from nominating or campaigning for the same office they are prohibited from unless approved by the Marshal concerned.
4. Holding and Exercising the Functions of an Imperial Government Civil Office Attained by Election or Appointment
   1. This paragraph applies to a civil office in the Imperial Government that:
      1. Is an elective office;
      2. Requires an appointment by the President; or
      3. Is in a position in the Imperial Civil Service
   2. A regular member or retired regular or reserve member on active duty under a call or order to active duty for more than 90 days, may not hold or exercise the functions of civil office unless otherwise authorized by paragraph 4.d or by Imperial Law or Decree.
   3. A retired regular member or reservist on active duty under a call or order for 90 days or fewer, may hold and exercise the functions of a civil office provided there is no interference with the performance of IS duty.
   4. A member on active duty may hold and exercise functions of a civil office under paragraph 4.d. When assigned or detailed (while on active duty) to such office to perform such functions. Or the position is agreed upon by the Grand Marshal and Grand Chancellor.
   5. Any member on active duty authorized to hold or exercise or not prohibited from holding or exercising the functions under paragraph 4.d are still subject to the prohibitions of 4.1.
5. Holding and Exercising the Functions of an Imperial State or other Non-Imperial Government Office Attained by Election or Appointment.
   1. Paragraph 4.5 applies to a civil office in an Imperial State or any political subdivision thereof.
   2. A regular member may not hold or exercise the functions of civil office unless otherwise authorized in paragraph 4.5 or by law.
   3. A retired regular or reserve member on active duty under a call or order to active duty for more than 90 days  may hold-but shall NOT exercise-the functions of a civil office as set out in this paragraph, as long as:
      1. The holding of such office is not prohibited under the laws of the Imperial State or any political subdivision thereof.
      2. The Marshal concerned grants permission after determining that holding such office does not interfere with the performance of duties.  The Marshal concerned may NOT delegate the authority to grant or deny such permission.
   4. A retired regular or reserve member on active duty under a call or order to active duty for 90 days or fewer may hold and exercise the functions of civil office provided there is no interference with the performance of military duties.
   5. A retired member on active duty authorized to hold or exercise, or not prohibited from holding or exercising, the functions of office under paragraph 4.5 is still subject to the prohibitions of subparagraph 4.1
6. Actions When Prohibitions Apply
   1. Members affected by the prohibitions against being a nominee or candidate or holding or exercising the functions of a civil office may request retirement (if eligible), discharge, or release from active duty.  The Marshal concerned may approve these requests, consistent with the needs of the Service, unless the member is:
      1. Obligated to fulfill an active duty service commitment.
      2. Serving or has been issue orders to serve aboard a ship that is remote or in a combat zone.
      3. Ordered to remain on active duty while the subject of an investigation or inquiry.
      4. Accused of an offense under the ISCH or serving a sentence or punishment for such an offense.
      5. Pending other administrative separation action or proceedings.
      6. Indebted to the Imperium.
      7. Serving involuntary under a call or order to active duty for a period more than 90 days during a period of declared war or Imperial Emergency; or other period when a unit or individual of the Reserve Forces has been involuntarily called or ordered to active duty as authorized by law.
      8. In violation of this Directive or an order or regulation prohibiting such member from assuming or exercising the functions of civil office.
   2. Subparagraph 4.6.1. does not preclude a member’s involuntary discharge or release from active duty.
   3. No actions undertaken by a member in carrying out assigned IS duties shall be invalidated solely by virtue of such member having been a candidate or nominee for a civil office in violation of the prohibition of paragraph 4.2 or having held or exercised the functions of a civil office in violation of the prohibitions of paragraph 4.4 or 4.5.
   4. This is a lawful general directive.  Violations of paragraphs 4.1 through 4.5 of this Directive by persons subject to the Imperial Service Code of Justice are punishable under Article 92, “Failure to Obey Order or Regulation.”

5. WAIVERS.

1. Members currently serving in any position covered by this directive are granted a waiver and may continue to serve without meeting the requirements of this regulation, until they have left that seat.
2. Any current nominations are subject to this regulation and no waiver is granted unless requested.
3. All requests for waivers and approvals shall go through the chain of command.  Each Commander shall non-concur or concur with recommendation to next level, but no commander below the Marshal concerned are authorized to disapprove any requests.

6. RESPONSIBILITIES.

1. The Vice Grand Marshal shall oversee implementation of this directive.
2. The Chief Marshal of the ISHQ and the Adjutant Marshal shall administer this Directive.
3. The Marshal of the Major Commands with administrative responsibilities shall issue appropriate implementing documents for their respective commands.

7. RELEASABILITY.

Unlimited.  This Directive is approved for public release and maintained on the Imperial Archives at IS Directives

8. EFFECTIVE DATE.

This directive is effective immediately.

Grand Duke William Sang, GKoI, GKoG, GKoS, GKoA

The Grand Marshal