The Army and Navy published clarifying instructions Thursday to help communities and installation leaders apply for funding through the DOD Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation’s Defense Community Infrastructure Program.

OLDCC requirements say the DCIP should include a letter of endorsement from a local installation leader. Some installations have expressed concern that such a letter would violate joint ethics regulations or federal regulations.

Counsel from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Army, and the Navy reviewed the issue and determined a letter from an installation leader would not violate ethics rules.

The Army shared with On Base the following language the Army has circulated through internal Army channels.

“An installation commander or garrison commander’s signature on an ‘endorsement letter’ is not prohibited under the Joint Ethics Regulations or federal ethics regulations provided that the letter complies with and contains only the information requested in section D.2.C. of the fiscal year 2023 Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program Notice of Funding Opportunity. The letter should indicate the installation’s need for the project and its willingness to support the civilian execution of the project to the extent practicable.”

An Army official told ADC the Navy had circulated similar language through its internal channels.

Army photo by Scott T. Sturkol