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DoD Ethics

DoD Ethics training covering gift rules, the Hatch Act, financial disclosure, outside employment, post-employment restrictions, use of government resources, gambling, and endorsement prohibitions. Based on 5 CFR 2635 (Standards of Ethical Conduct) and the Joint Ethics Regulation (JER).

40 questions and answers — updated 2025/2026
01

What regulation provides the Standards of Ethical Conduct for all executive branch employees?

02

What is the Joint Ethics Regulation (JER)?

03

What is the general rule on gifts from prohibited sources?

04

What is the $20/$50 gift rule?

05

Which of the following gifts may a DoD employee accept: (a) a $25 gift card from a defense contractor, (b) a $15 lunch from a vendor, (c) a $100 golf outing from a regulated company, (d) a $75 bottle of wine from a foreign government?

06

What is a prohibited source for gift purposes?

07

What is the Hatch Act?

08

What political activities are prohibited under the Hatch Act while on duty?

09

What political activities ARE permitted under the Hatch Act?

10

What is the purpose of financial disclosure in DoD ethics?

11

What rules govern outside employment for DoD personnel?

12

True or False: A military officer may teach a course at a local university for compensation without any approval.

13

What are post-employment restrictions for DoD personnel?

14

What is the one-year cooling-off period for senior officials?

15

What are the rules on using government resources?

16

Can a DoD employee use their government email for personal messages?

17

What is the rule on gambling in the DoD?

18

What restrictions exist on endorsements by DoD personnel?

19

What is a conflict of interest?

20

What should an employee do if they identify a potential conflict of interest?

21

What is the 'appearance standard' in government ethics?

22

Which of the following is a violation of ethics rules: (a) accepting a plaque from a professional association, (b) using your title in a personal real estate transaction, (c) attending a widely attended gathering approved by ethics, (d) receiving a $10 gift basket from a subordinate?

23

What are the rules on gifts between employees (superior-subordinate)?

24

What is the widely attended gathering (WAG) exception?

25

What is fundraising policy for DoD personnel?

26

What is the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)?

27

True or False: A government employee may use their official title when writing a letter to the editor about a policy issue.

28

What are the penalties for ethics violations?

29

What is the role of an agency ethics counselor?

30

What is misuse of official position?

31

What restrictions apply to seeking employment while in government service?

32

What is the ethics rule regarding nonpublic information?

33

What are the rules on accepting travel reimbursement from non-federal sources?

34

What training requirements exist for DoD ethics?

35

What is the prohibition on supplementation of salary?

36

Can a DoD employee serve on the board of directors of a private company?

37

What is the ethics rule on personal commercial solicitation in the workplace?

38

True or False: An employee may keep frequent flyer miles earned on government travel for personal use.

39

What is the principle of impartiality in government ethics?

40

What restrictions apply to receiving awards or honorary degrees from outside organizations?

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