Study guide
6.6 Prohibited Activities: Extremism, Retaliation, Prohibited Relationships, and Political Activity
Army Promotion Board SGT/SSG
Track your progress as you read
Finished sections get a check mark.
1 The Promotion Board Process, Eligibility, and Preparation
1.1 AR 600-8-19 Board Eligibility, TIS/TIG Zones, and PME Requirements 1.2 Board Proceedings, Protocol, Uniform Inspection, and Boardroom Bearing 1.3 Promotion Points, the AFT Conversion, IPPS-A, and Monthly Cutoff Scores 1.4 Board Preparation: Study Plan, Current Events, and World Affairs 1.5 Situational Questions, ICTL Proficiency, and Board Scenario Technique
2 Uniform Standards, Grooming, and Awards (AR 670-1, AD 2025-18, AR 600-8-22)
2.1 ASU and AGSU Configuration, Insignia, Badges, and Awards Placement 2.2 Hair, Cosmetics, Fingernails, and Jewelry Standards (AD 2025-18) 2.3 Wear of Combat Uniforms, Duty Accessories, and Body Modification & Tattoo Policies 2.4 Facial Hair, Medical Exceptions to Policy, and Religious Accommodation 2.5 The Army Awards and Decorations System (AR 600-8-22)
3 Army Leadership & Doctrine (ADP 6-22 & FM 6-22)
3.1 The Army Leadership Requirements Model: Attributes and Competencies 3.2 Leadership Levels, Dynamics, Command Climate, and the Warrior Ethos 3.3 The Counseling Process (ATP 6-22.1 & DA Form 4856) 3.4 The Evaluation Reporting System & NCOER (AR 623-3 & DA Form 2166-9 Series)
4 Customs, Courtesies, and Military Traditions (AR 600-25 & TC 3-21.5)
4.1 Saluting Protocols, Courtesies to Officers, and Hand Salute Standards 4.2 National Flag Etiquette, Colors, Reveille, Retreat, and Honors to the Nation 4.3 Drill and Ceremonies Fundamentals (TC 3-21.5) and Formations 4.4 Rank Structure, Chain of Command, the NCO Support Channel, and Unit Organization
5 Army History, Heritage, and Creeds
5.1 Army Birthday, Continental Army Foundations, and Historical Milestones 5.2 Evolution of the NCO Corps and the Sergeant Major of the Army 5.3 Major American Campaigns and Military Battle History 5.4 The Army Values, The Soldier's Creed, and The NCO Creed
6 Army Programs, Command Policy, and Soldier Readiness
6.1 SHARP Under AR 600-52: Reporting Options, Complaint Processing, and the OSTC 6.2 The Military Equal Opportunity and Harassment Prevention Program (AR 600-20, Chapter 6) 6.3 Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) and SUDCC (AR 600-85) 6.4 Soldier and Family Support Programs: AER, Red Cross, ACS, EFMP, and BOSS 6.5 Suicide Prevention, Behavioral Health, and Resilience 6.6 Prohibited Activities: Extremism, Retaliation, Prohibited Relationships, and Political Activity 6.7 Retention, Reenlistment, and the Career Counseling of Subordinates
7 Tactical Combat Casualty Care & First Aid (TC 4-02.1 & ATP 4-02.83)
7.1 TCCC Phases of Care: Care Under Fire, Tactical Field Care, and TACEVAC 7.2 MARCH PAWS Assessment: Massive Hemorrhage and Airway Management 7.3 Respiration, Circulation, Shock, Burns, and Environmental Injuries 7.4 9-Line MEDEVAC Request Protocol and Tactical Evacuation Procedures
8 CBRN Defense & Force Protection (ATP 3-11.32 & AR 525-13)
8.1 CBRN Hazards, Chemical Agent Classifications, and Physiological Effects 8.2 MOPP Gear Levels, Protective Mask PMCS, and Decontamination 8.3 Antiterrorism, Physical Security, and Force Protection Conditions (AR 525-13)
9 Weapons, Land Navigation, and Physical Readiness
9.1 M4/M16 Rifle Characteristics, Clearing, Malfunctions, and Weapons Safety (TC 3-22.9) 9.2 Map Reading, Grid Coordinates, and Marginal Information (TC 3-25.26) 9.3 Land Navigation: Terrain Features, Azimuths, Intersection, and Resection 9.4 Holistic Health and Fitness, the Army Fitness Test, and the Combat Field Test 9.5 The Army Body Composition Program and the Waist-to-Height Standard (AD 2026-13) 9.6 Crew-Served Weapons, Sidearms, and Munitions
10 Military Justice, the Law of War, and Duty
10.1 The UCMJ, Article 15 Non-Judicial Punishment, and Courts-Martial 10.2 The Code of Conduct, the Law of War, and Rules of Engagement 10.3 Guard Duty, the Three General Orders, and Operations Security
11 Training Management and Unit Sustainment
11.1 Training Management: ICTL, the Digital Job Book, and Sergeant's Time Training 11.2 Maintenance, Supply Discipline, and Property Accountability
6.6 Prohibited Activities: Extremism, Retaliation, Prohibited Relationships, and Political Activity
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
AR 600-20 Chapter 4 and DoDI 1325.06 prohibit active participation in extremist organizations, which includes fundraising, recruiting, distributing literature, and posting or sharing extremist content online.
Retaliation against a Soldier who files a discrimination or harassment complaint is separately prohibited by AR 600-20 paragraph 6-2i, and retaliation is a mandatory board situational subject under AR 600-8-19.
AR 600-20 prohibits relationships between officers and enlisted Soldiers, and between permanent-party personnel and initial-entry trainees, that compromise the chain of command or the appearance of fairness.
The rules on conduct between Soldiers of different grades moved out of AR 600-20 into AR 600-32 and DA Pam 600-35 in the 6 February 2025 revision.
DoD Directive 1344.10 permits Soldiers to hold and express personal political views off duty and out of uniform but prohibits partisan political activity in uniform or in a way that implies Army endorsement.
Last updated: September 2026
Prohibited Activities: Extremism, Retaliation, Prohibited Relationships, and Political Activity
Core Doctrine: AR 600-20, Chapter 4 (Military Discipline and Conduct) sets the boundaries of Soldier conduct, and AR 600-8-19, paragraph 3-11a makes extremist activity and retaliation mandatory situational subjects at every promotion board. This is not abstract policy; it is a list of things you are expected to stop in your squad.
1. The Standard AR 600-20 Sets
Chapter 4 opens by requiring discipline to be maintained through "fairness and justice for all Soldiers, regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, and sexual orientation." Every prohibition in this section flows from that sentence.
Note the 2025 restructuring. The 6 February 2025 revision moved conduct between Soldiers of different grades out of AR 600-20 into AR 600-32 and DA Pam 600-35 , and removed Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility policy per Executive Order 14151. A board answer that names the current publication demonstrates currency.
2. Extremist Organizations and Activities
Participation in extremist organizations and activities is inconsistent with military service . AR 600-20 defines extremist organizations and activities as those that advocate:
Racial, sex, sexual orientation, or ethnic hatred or intolerance ;
Creating or engaging in discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation;
The use of force or violence or unlawful means to deprive individuals of their constitutional or statutory rights ; or
Support for terrorist organizations or activity.
What "active participation" means
This is the question boards ask, because Soldiers assume extremism means violence. Active participation — prohibited, and punishable under UCMJ Article 92 — includes:
- Fundraising for an extremist organization
- Recruiting or attempting to recruit others
- Attending rallies, demonstrations, or meetings sponsored by such organizations
- Distributing literature, flyers, or unauthorized insignia
Creating, posting, liking, reposting, or sharing extremist content, propaganda, or symbols on social media or other digital platforms
Displaying extremist symbols, including as tattoos, which AR 670-1 prohibits anywhere on the body
Mere passive receipt of information is not the standard; any act that advances the organization's cause is. This is why the digital examples matter — a repost is an act.
Leader action
A commander who receives an allegation initiates an inquiry or AR 15-6 investigation , imposes a flag under AR 600-8-2 , and considers the full range of adverse action: relief for cause , a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand , UCMJ action under Article 92 , and administrative separation under AR 635-200 .
3. Retaliation and Reprisal
AR 600-20, paragraph 6-2i is explicit. Members of the Army will not:
- Retaliate against a member who files a discrimination or harassment complaint;
- Knowingly make a false accusation of discrimination; or
While in a supervisory or command position, condone or ignore discrimination, harassment, disparaging terms, or a hostile work environment.
Retaliation is broader than a formal adverse action. It includes ostracism, exclusion from training or opportunity, sudden negative counseling, schedule manipulation, spreading rumors about the complainant, and pressuring witnesses. In the SHARP context under AR 600-52, retaliatory behaviors are part of the harm the program exists to eliminate, and the MEO professional prepares a reprisal plan the commander issues to the complainant, the subject, the chains of command and supervision, and the witnesses.
The third prohibition is the one that catches NCOs: condoning or ignoring is itself a violation . A squad leader who hears the squad freezing out a complainant and does nothing has committed the offense, not merely failed to prevent one.
4. Prohibited Relationships
AR 600-20 prohibits relationships between Soldiers of different rank that:
- Compromise the chain of command ;
- Result in, or reasonably create the appearance of, partiality or unfairness ;
- Involve the improper use of grade or position for personal gain ;
- Are, or are perceived to be, exploitative or coercive ; or
Create an adverse impact on discipline, authority, morale, or the ability of the command to accomplish its mission .
Categories that are prohibited regardless of individual circumstances include:
Officer–enlisted personal relationships , including dating, shared living arrangements, and business partnerships;
Relationships between permanent-party personnel and initial-entry trainees , and between recruiters and prospects or applicants;
Any relationship between a trainer or cadre member and a trainee in a training environment.
Business relationships — including borrowing and lending money and multi-level marketing — between Soldiers of different ranks in the same chain of command are also prohibited when they create the appearance of partiality or coercion.
Marriage does not cure a prohibited relationship for officer–enlisted couples formed after entry on active duty; the command must address it, and the specific dispositions are prescribed in the governing publications, now AR 600-32 and DA Pam 600-35 .
5. Political Activity
DoD Directive 1344.10 is the controlling authority. The framework is simple:
Permitted Prohibited
Registering, voting, and expressing a personal opinion as a private citizen Participating in partisan political activity in uniform
Making a monetary contribution to a political organization Using official authority or influence to interfere with an election or affect its outcome
Attending a partisan event as a spectator , not in uniform Speaking at, marching in, or serving as a sponsor of a partisan political event
Displaying a bumper sticker on a private vehicle Displaying large political signs or banners at a residence on a military installation
Writing a letter to the editor expressing a personal view Publishing partisan political articles that solicit votes for or against a candidate
Soldiers may not imply Army or Department of War endorsement of a candidate, cause, or party. On social media, a Soldier may follow and express personal views, but not while in uniform, not from an official account, and not in a way that suggests the Army has taken a position .
6. What This Means at the Squad Level
Correct on the spot. The overwhelming majority of these violations start as a joke, a sticker, a group-chat post, or a "tradition." A team leader who corrects it immediately prevents an AR 15-6 investigation.
Report what you cannot correct. Extremist activity, retaliation against a complainant, and prohibited relationships involving trainees are all beyond a squad leader's authority to resolve. Report them.
Do not investigate. Preserve the facts and hand the matter to the commander.
Document. Counsel on DA Form 4856 and record what was said and what the plan of action is.
Protect the complainant. Watch for ostracism after a complaint is filed. That is the retaliation the regulation is aimed at, and it happens inside the squad, not in the orderly room.