We receive a lot of questions as to whether it is proper to talk about professional associations during drill, or in meetings.

We asked NGB for a little help, and this is what they provided:

“As a general rule, membership in these organizations in a personal capacity is permitted by law and regulation, and National Guard members are free to join and participate in such organizations in their personal capacity. The Joint Ethics Regulation, DoD 5500.7-R, permits commanders and other leaders to provide factual information through official channels regarding membership in these organizations. However, in providing this information, commanders and leaders must ensure that membership in these organizations is a personal choice and is completely voluntary. Leaders may not conduct repeated orientations or meetings, keep lists of members, use membership statistics when evaluating a members duty performance, or otherwise explicitly or implicitly coerce National Guard members into joining these organizations. While leaders may discuss the general merits and benefits of joining and participating in private organizations without showing favoritism for one organization over another, such actions must be done within the limits of the standards of conduct principles discussed above.”

We also received the following guidance from the Pentagon regarding professional associations:

Chief of Staff, US Air Force, issued guidance on professional associations. CSAF Guidance

Vice Chief of Staff, US Army, issued guidance on professional associations. VCSA Guidance

If you are looking for one document that answers every question in minute detail, you won’t find it here. The best advice we can give, beyond exerting a little leadership and interpreting the intent of what is provided, is to ask your State Ethics Advisor for his/her advice.