To all:

We are starting to get requests from the NFL for DoD support to the Super Bowl next January in San Diego. Please have ALL such requests for DoD support sent to OASD-PA CR&PL; for appropriate coordination and legal review .

The original request we received from the NFL puts DoD in a "pit band" and a back-up support role for a program dedicated to recognizing the USO and celebrating Bob Hope's 100th birthday.

I have suggested to the program organizer a number of ways the program could be either re-focused to military appreciation and using more military musical and ceremonial resources from the Southern California area with appropriate (limited) recognition of the service Bob Hope and the USO provided to the military over the years, or use alternate non-DoD people (American Legion/VFW/JWV veterans or retirees...) from the Greater San Diego area to add a more appropriate World War II "military" appearance on the field but not use current military for that part of the program. If done right, the NFL could design a program that meets all of their desires to provide appropriate recognition to all participants, including the military.

Last year, we provided support to the Super Bowl without getting involved with any legal fall-out. We also should be able to provide appropriate support to the 2003 Super Bowl within all legal considerations.

To ensure that all of our participation remains within legal bounds, DoD Component commands and organizations shall make NO commitments to the NFL or other requestor. All local command legal and other staff reviews, comments, and recommendations shall be forwarded through public affairs channels for review as part of the total request package.

While certain types of participation by DoD personnel, as volunteers out of uniform in their PERSONAL capacity, might be authorized after review, the commitment of taxpayer-funded support by DoD in an OFFICIAL capacity to non-Federal entities shall not be provided prior to completion of such legal review by the office of the OSD General Counsel.

A long list of such participation was requested prior to last year's Super Bowl. Much of that requested support was either restructured to let us provide the support under more appropriate criteria, or was disapproved based on the results of legal review.

Please have all requests for DoD support to the 2003 Super Bowl sent to: