Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 1325.06
November 27, 2009
Incorporating Change 1, February 22, 2012
USD(P&R)
SUBJECT: Handling Dissident and Protest Activities Among Members of the Armed Forces
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE
. This Instruction:
a. Reissues DoD Directive 1325.6 (Reference (a)) as a DoD Instruction in accordance with
the authority in DoD Directive 5124.02 (Reference (b)).
b. Establishes DoD policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures for handling
dissident activities and protest activities among members of the Armed Forces.
2. APPLICABILITY. This Instruction applies to OSD, the Military Departments (including the
Coast Guard at all times, including when it is a Service in the Department of Homeland Security
by agreement with that Department), the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and
the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department
of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities
in the Department of Defense (hereafter referred to collectively as the “DoD Components”).
3. POLICY
. It is DoD policy that:
a. The Department of Defense shall safeguard the security of the United States.
b. A Service member’s right of expression should be preserved to the maximum extent
possible in accordance with the constitutional and statutory provisions of titles 10 and 18, United
States Code (U.S.C.) (References (c) and (d), respectively) (examples of which are set forth in
Enclosure 2 of this Instruction) and consistent with good order and discipline and the national
security.
c. No commander should be indifferent to conduct that, if allowed to proceed unchecked,
would destroy the effectiveness of his or her unit.
Change 1, 02/22/2012
