Ice bucket challenge - What does DOD say? Published Sept. 12, 2014 By Capt. Noah Coakley 56th Fighter Wing Legal LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- If you have been following social media lately, you've seen the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge all over your newsfeed and Instagram. This has become an internet phenomenon in which people get doused with ice water to raise money to combat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Many military members have been taking part in this great cause and so far the Ice Bucket Challenge has already raised more than $111 million for the ALS Association. However, before you decide to help raise funds in uniform there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind. The Defense Department Office of General Counsel has issued guidance stating that service members and DOD employees cannot have ice dumped on them to support charities while in uniform or while on duty. Participation in one's official capacity, however well-intentioned, may be an impermissible endorsement of a nonfederal entity. Even if you don't mean to formally endorse any particular cause, if you participate in uniform there is always the potential for the appearance of endorsement by the Air Force. Private organizations and unofficial activities that raise funds on base are important because they help boost the morale of its members and our base community. There are some very basic and important rules about when, where and how fundraising may occur. Basic considerations to keep in mind for fundraising on base: · Fundraising cannot be done during duty hours, although lunch hours are permissible · No fundraising in uniform · Fundraising by private organizations and unofficial activities can generally not occur during the Combined Federal Campaign or Air Force Assistance Fund · No fundraising in the workplace · Fundraising can only be done when the event has been approved by 56 FSS. · No frequent resale activities or competing with Army and Air Force Exchange Services · No selling alcoholic beverages or any type of gambling activity Finally, there are a few more important general fundraising prohibitions of which to be aware. Air Force members must not do anything that implies federal endorsement of a private organization's fundraising activities. This means you can't use government email or letterhead to advertise for an event. When sending fund raising materials, a disclaimer must be included stating that the private organization is not associated with the Air Force and that no DOD endorsement is implied. By following these straight-forward rules, you can raise as much money as you want for your favorite charities. For more information, call 56th FW/JA at 623-856-6901.