COMDTINST 12310.3C — Restrictions On The Employment Of Relatives And Advocating For The Employment Of Relatives

COMDTINST 12310.3C governs restrictions on employing relatives and advocating for their employment in civilian positions.

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  • Publication number: COMDTINST 12310.3C
  • Title: RESTRICTIONS ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES AND ADVOCATING FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES
  • Date: 2/6/2025
  • Proponent: CG-1C2

View COMDTINST 12310.3C on armypubs.army.mil


It addresses public-official advocacy, chain-of-command employment, preference-eligible relatives, emergency appointments, and conflicts of interest. It requires review of certain closely related unit-level employment and prohibits supervising, rating, or reviewing a relative.

Topics covered

  • Employment of relatives
  • Advocacy for relatives
  • Chain of command
  • Preference eligibles
  • Emergency employment
  • Conflict of interest
  • Prohibited hiring practices

Questions and answers

Can a public official advocate for a relative’s civilian employment?

A public official shall not advocate the appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement of a relative to a civilian position anywhere in the agency in which he or she serves or where those officials exercise any jurisdiction or control.

Can a supervisor supervise a relative in the chain of command?

A supervisor is prohibited from supervising a relative in his/her chain of command regardless of the number of supervisory levels between them.

Can a public official respond to a request to recommend a relative for employment?

A public official must not respond to a request for an employment recommendation or a request to advocate or plead the case of employment, promotion, or advancement for his or her relative.

Can a public official rate or review a relative’s performance?

A public official may not supervise, rate, or review the performance of a relative.

When must closely related unit-level employment of relatives be approved?

The employment of relatives within closely related, unit-level organizations must be reviewed and approved by Commandant (CG-1C3) before an offer of employment is extended. (paragraph 5)

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