Airmen have limits on exercising civil liberties

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Mychal McLean
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Legal Office
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The idea of any government organization restricting the rights of citizens leaves a sour taste in the mouth of many Americans, especially in the Midwest, the heart of America, where patriotism runs deep.

Civil liberties were enshrined to protect the rights of the individual. However, when military members put on their uniform, they are no longer representing only themselves. They are also representing the branch they serve in.

Civil liberties are laid out in the Constitution and include freedom of religion and speech, the right to bear arms, the right to a fair and speedy trial and many other rights afforded to the American people.

Military members also have these same rights. However, due to the sensitive nature of their work, the Department of Defense has created regulations restricting some of those civil liberties while on duty.

Some of these restrictions include prohibiting uniform wear at protests and certain political events, restricting what can be said to media sources and forbidding unprofessional relationships.

The Air Force does its best to be as clear as possible regarding policies on civil liberties, but disagreements do arise.

In response to the "Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007," the DOD required each branch to establish a civil liberties officer and corresponding civil liberties program.

The Air Force Privacy Officer is the authority figure over the Air Force civil liberties program and serves as the point of contact for disseminating program information and training material at both the major command and base level.

To maintain a professional environment, the Air Force has several Instructions detailing the behavior expected of all Airmen.

Civil liberty complaints should be made to the commander, Inspector General, or in some cases, the Equal Opportunity office, where appropriate action will be taken.

The Air Force reports civil liberty complaints to Congress on a quarterly basis. The Air Force ultimately strives to protect the civil liberties of its personnel while still getting the mission done.

Restrictions on the civil liberties of Air Force members were put in place to help military branches maintain discipline and remain completely nonpartisan. Although the DOD must restrict certain rights, they also understand the idea of freedom the nation was built upon.

The civil liberties program exists to ensure there is a happy medium between maintaining discipline and ensuring military members can exercise their rights as Americans.