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Seeking fame? Get permission first, official says

In the military? According to the Supreme Court, you’re in a special society with an image to uphold.

Make the services look bad, and you’re eligible for punishment.

“Military personnel can’t always do things that are acceptable and legal in the civilian community,” said Maj. Gen. Charles Dunlap Jr., the Air Force’s deputy judge advocate general. “It really is that simple.”

If service members plan to make high-profile appearances or take an outside job — whether it’s at Burger King or a modeling gig with Playboy — they should clear it with their commander.

Securing approval for nonmilitary work isn’t written into the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Dunlap said, but it’s typically in a service member’s local policy.

If approved, get it in writing.

If denied, proceed knowing you could violate the military justice code’s Article 134, which loosely defines behavior that could “discredit” the armed services.

It doesn’t list every conceivable offense, leaving commanders to make somewhat subjective calls.

Arkansas resident 2nd Lt. Kelly George, for example, was cleared to compete in the Miss USA pageant.

However, Michelle Manhart was demoted from staff sergeant to senior airman after telling supervisors her nude Playboy spread was about to hit stores.

None of this means military people cannot be involved in “unusual, highly public activities,” Dunlap said.

If movie producers want to film on base or incorporate service members in a scene, military leaders will clear it if they like the script.

And game show appearances, for example, can “humanize our troops in the right way and introduce them to a public that may or may not personally know anyone in the military,” Dunlap said.

The key is obtaining permission before making an appearance or taking a job, Dunlap said.