Fraternization policy update reflects current operational tempo

All Hands, July, 2007

The Navy's fraternization policy has been updated, clarifying what relationships are appropriate for Sailors, because today's current operational tempo and individual augmentee assignments have made it commonplace for Sailors to serve side by side with the U.S. Army and Air Force, and with our multinational partners in operations throughout the world.

The update, OPNAVINST 5370.2C, was recently released.

"As a result of a scheduled policy review, it was determined the policy needed to be updated," said Cmdr. Dean Stewart-Curry, lead for the Navy Equal Opportunity program. "Navy leadership wanted Navy personnel to be clear on the fact that the policy also applies to joint services, as well as foreign militaries."

Fraternization, generally, refers to personal relationships between officer and enlisted members that are unduly familiar. Examples of unduly familiar relationships include dating, sharing an apartment or house, engaging in intimate behavior, gambling and borrowing money.

These types of relationships are prohibited because they undermine the respect for authority that is essential to the Navy's ability to accomplish its mission. In other words, if Sailors see an officer having one of those types of relationships with an enlisted Sailor, they might wonder whether the officer is giving preferential treatment to that Sailor in situations like duty assignments or special privileges, which could create morale problems.

Typically, personal relationships among officers or among enlisted members are not prohibited. It is prohibited if the relationship calls into question a senior's objectivity; if it results in actual or apparent preferential treatment; if it undermines the authority of a senior; or if it compromises the chain of command; among others.

For example, the executive officer (XO) of the command holds a Monday Night Football party every Monday night during football season. She invites the wardroom and the chief's mess. She is guilty of fraternization because the XO is in a leadership position, and she is creating an unduly familiar relationship with members of her command.

But, if she held a Super Bowl Party annually and invited the entire command, or the wardroom and the chief's mess, this would not be fraternization as it would be considered a social event, not unlike a holiday party. That XO cannot invite only selected enlisted members, as that constitutes disparate treatment and it would be prejudicial to good order and discipline.

"The key is whether or not the relationship is prejudicial to good order and discipline," said Stewart-Curry. "Appropriate social interaction among Navy members has always been encouraged as it enhances unit morale and esprit de corps."

Fraternization rules also apply to chief petty officers. Chiefs, by long-standing custom and tradition, are considered separate and distinct leaders within their assigned command. They serve as leaders to the entire unit, not just to those within their chain of command. Based on that philosophy, unduly familiar personal relationships between chiefs and junior personnel who are assigned to the same command are prohibited.

The revised policy also clarifies the definition of an applicant and a prospect, reinforcing the fact that recruiters are prohibited from having a personal relationship with their prospects, applicants or Delayed Entry Program members.

The fraternization regulation was last updated in 1999. The current version can be found at: www.npc.navy.mil

Story courtesy of the Chief of Naval Personnel Diversity Directorate, Millington, Tenn.