Explaining ethics of endorsements Published July 22, 2009 By Richard Brock 81st Training Wing Judge Advocate office KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Joint Ethics Regulation 5500.7-R, Section 3-209 provides that endorsement of a non-federal entity, event, product, service, or enterprise may be neither stated nor implied by Defense Department employees in their official capacities and titles, positions or organization names may not be used to suggest official endorsement or preferential treatment. This prohibition means that if you buy a car from a dealer, it's a violation of the regulation to appear in a photograph while in uniform by the car you bought, or in front of the dealership or display the dealer's logo while in uniform. By the same token, it would be a violation of this regulation to appear in an advertisement in your uniform in front of the sign depicting the local college you are presently attending during off-duty time. In both instances, your appearance in a photograph by in front of dealership or college sign would be a violation of the regulation. If you're asked to appear in such a photograph, respectfully decline the opportunity by saying to so do would violate the ethics rules. For more information on ethics issues, call 376-8601.