{"id":353824,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:11","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/military\/administrative-issues-benefits\/ethical-obligations-of-service-members-what-are-the-rules.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T20:25:06","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T01:25:06","slug":"ethical-obligations-of-service-members-what-are-the-rules","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/military\/administrative-issues-benefits\/ethical-obligations-of-service-members-what-are-the-rules.html","title":{"rendered":"Ethical Obligations of Service Members: What Are the Rules?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ethical Obligations of Service Members: What Are the Rules?<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

While federal regulations contain general principles of ethical conduct<\/a> to guide public servants, this article will address some of the specific rules that apply in common situations faced by service members, specifically, those involving gifts, the use of government resources, and political participation. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

If you’ve traveled in uniform, you’ve probably been approached by someone thanking you or even wanting to pay for your lunch. Or maybe the flight crew offered to bump you up to first class. It’s nice to see such public displays of support, but you should know that there are important ethical rules that apply.<\/p>\r\n

The rules that apply are based on the Joint Ethics Regulation <\/a>(JER) and Code of Federal Regulations<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Giving or Accepting Gifts<\/h2>\r\n

It’s hard to turn down a gift, even one that you don’t want but would accept because it means so much to the person giving it to you. However, based on the situation and people involved, you may be required by law to respectfully decline. The two general rules relating to gifts are:<\/p>\r\n

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  1. You cannot accept a gift based on your official position; and
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  2. You cannot accept a gift from a prohibited source.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    What\u2019s a Gift?<\/u><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    A gift is defined<\/a> as almost anything of monetary value, which would include goods, services, or discounts. However, there are exceptions which include:<\/p>\r\n