Legal Question in Military Law in Virginia

Re: Active duty military officer practicing real state on the side... legal or not?

The JER is right. I wouldn't even broach the subject with a subordinate. Otherwise, you are free to operate a business on the side so long as you build a wall between it and your duties as a military officer. You must avoid even the appearance of impropriety, which means the use of your position or rank as leverage for the business. That may defeat some of what would seem to be good networking practice, but you can get in serious trouble if your cross that line. Also, you must notify your service officially that you have a business. Check the JER. There may be form or it might just be a letter. You need to do some research into the JER or the service-specific directive derived from it. Go to your base legal assistance office for help.