BY ORDER OF THE
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
INSTRUCTION 51-508
24 MARCH 2023
Law
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES, FREE
SPEECH AND FREEDOM OF
ASSEMBLY
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY
ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and forms are available on the e-Publishing website at
www.e-publishing.af.mil for downloading or ordering.
RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication.
OPR: AF/JACP Certified by: AF/JAC
(Mr. Robert J. Preston II)
Supersedes: AFI 51-508, 12 October 2018 Pages: 26
This Department of the Air Force Instruction (DAFI) implements Air Force Policy Directive
(AFPD) 51-5, Administrative Law, Gifts and Command Relationships. This instruction provides
specific prohibitions and guidance to Department of the Air Force (DAF) personnel regarding
political activities, and extremist and protest activities. This instruction incorporates law as well
as Department of Defense policy found in Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 1344.10,
Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces and Department of Defense Instruction
(DoDI) 1325.06, Handling Protest, Extremist, and Criminal Gang Activities Among Members of
the Armed Forces.
This instruction applies to DAF civilian employees, including employees of nonappropriated fund
programs; uniformed members of the Regular Air Force (RegAF), United States Space Force
(USSF), Air Force Reserve (AFR), and Air National Guard (ANG), except where noted otherwise;
and those with a contractual obligation to abide by the terms of DAF issuances. Portions of this
instruction only apply to certain individuals, to include retired RegAF, USSF, AFR and ANG; and
to the extent required by contract, to contractor employees. Note: Failure to obey paragraphs
2.5.1.2, 2.6.3, 2.6.4.1, 3.3, 3.4.1.3, and 3.4.3.1-3.4.3.2 of this instruction by uniformed
members of RegAF, USSF, AFR on active duty or inactive duty for training, and ANG in
Title 10 status, constitutes a violation of Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice
(UCMJ). ANG members in Title 32 status performing full-time National Guard duty or inactive
duty for training who violate the mandatory provisions of this instruction, may be held accountable
through similar provisions of their respective state military codes. Additionally, the policy rules
