Alaska State Sen. Forrest Dunbar, currently deployed to Poland on active duty with the Alaska Army National Guard, is drawing scrutiny for a politically charged letter issued to constituents while serving in uniform — a move that may violate military conduct standards and federal law.
In a letter circulated on social media under his official Alaska State Legislature letterhead, Dunbar confirmed that he would return to the state for the August special session and vote to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s partial veto of a massive increase to education funding that was passed by a deeply split legislature.
“I will be voting yes to override,” Dunbar wrote, citing what he called “catastrophic cuts” to school budgets.
However, the message may have crossed a line drawn by multiple federal regulations prohibiting active-duty service members from engaging in partisan political activity.
Dunbar’s statement appears to run afoul of Department of Defense Directive 1344.10, which strictly limits active-duty military personnel from making partisan political statements or taking public positions on pending legislation.
The directive bars service members from participating in political activity that may imply military endorsement or blur the lines between official military capacity and political advocacy.
While Dunbar said he sought an “Exception to Policy” to take leave and pay for his own return to Alaska for the vote, the statement itself was issued while he remains mobilized, and it was made using his official legislative platform. That fact alone may violate the principle that political commentary must be done in a purely personal capacity and without use of official titles or platforms.
Under Article 88 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, commissioned officers are prohibited from using contemptuous or disrespectful language against senior government officials. Dunbar’s letter stops short of overt disrespect, but his partisan and inaccurate framing of the governor’s action while on active duty adds to the case that can be made that he is engaging in partisan political activity.
In addition to the legal and ethical concerns, Dunbar’s letter also contains a misleading characterization of the governor’s action. Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed only a portion of an increase to education funding, not cutting funding. Dunleavy only cut out some of the additional funds that were awarded to Education. Calling it a “catastrophic cut” oversimplifies and exaggerates the scope of the veto, which makes Dunbar’s statement highly political, rather than factual information for his constituents.
Then there’s the Hatch Act. Although it primarily applies to civilian federal employees, the same types of restrictions extend to members of the armed forces.
The combination: Military status, state office, and partisan advocacy, is a messy mix that his higher-ups at the Pentagon may find interesting, at the very least.
Violations of DoD Directive 1344.10 or UCMJ provisions can result in administrative or disciplinary action, ranging from a formal reprimand to more serious consequences, depending on the severity and whether the statement is judged to harm good order and discipline.
As of this writing, no official investigation into Dunbar’s conduct has been announced. However, the incident is likely to be elevated to Department of Defense leadership by those who take umbrage with his use of his uniform for political business.
Love that pic Suzanne!
He definitely has that “Full Metal Jacket” look.
Maybe he is a PTSD victim.
Careful drill Sargent….Something fatal may happen in the shower room.
Dunbar has a long history of walking all over article 88, his commander condones it.
I am a retired USAF Lt Col. If accurate the activated guardsman and state senator is in violation of military regulations, Article 88, and the Hatch Act. For purposes of making an example of this DOD should review it for possible punitive action.🪖🇺🇸
I completely agree, Kenneth! As a retired US Army lieutenant colonel and who participated in numerous overseas deployments, I assert that Dunbar’s return to Alaska under these circumstances is contrary to military regulations, the display of strong and required military leadership, and overall good order. This decision is completely inappropriate, probably without clear precedent, and should be addressed within the Alaska National Guard leadership. Or maybe be higher?
I called the Alaska Adjutant General’s Office (907 428-6003) about this. The receptionist offered to transfer my call to the executive officer (XO). After several minutes, I was informed that “the XO is not in the office and won’t return for the rest of the day” and “would not be in the office tomorrow”. So, it appears that nobody is available to discuss the Adjutant General’s approval of this very bad, completely inappropriate, and potentially precedent-setting decision. This is very disappointing, but not entirely unexpected.
Dunbar is a disgrace to the uniform and should kicked out of the guard. He is a admitted communist and doesn’t live up to the oath of the Constitution.
How, and for which officially-recognized and permitted purpose, did Forrest Dunbar receive permission to alter his military deployment orders to accommodate his return to Alaska prior to the re-deployment to Alaska of this National Guard unit?
Is this one more example of Dunbar using his National Guard participation for political purposes rather than as actual commitment to military service?
He’s a Democrat Of Course he is, They think they are above the law
Fries. Currently, all the national crooks and grifters are Republicans.
Correct, they defeated the National Crooks & Grifters that were in charge.
Obama, Biden and Harris and Clooney
Go to the head of the Class!
Watch nothing will happen there’s a lot of democraps they will pull strings to help him out unless tulsi Gabbard steps in
(D)unbar is a (D)em. He is also the media darling for NPR, Channel 2, ADN and the rest of the (D)emocrat PR arm of the media industrial complex. Nothing will happen.
I wondered if I was alone in my contempt for Channel 2 and their co-owned Channel 5 (local NBC and CBS) in their fancy new building in midtown. My recent experience with Joe Allgood (and maybe whoever supervises him) has caused me to be unable to watch any of their news programming. I previously watched their weather reports, but can no longer “stomach” even these brief segments anymore.
The weekend news readers, their frequent Alaska-specific and other mispronunciations, and the selected (several times repeated) programming are the worst!
KTUU, and whatever the CBS call letters are, unprofessionally play “fast and loose”, and Allgood has no respect for those of us who have lived here longer than his few short months. Joe is NO GOOD … fire him!
If Dunbar’s party affiliation was republican, you’d be praising the integrity and public service of a guardsman and state senator.
Alaska National Guard and Alaska senate corruption. Move along folks, nothing to see here.