question about relationships and fraternization

[ambitious-soldier90]

I have read AR 600-20 about relationships and fraternization policies and it doesn't say anything specifically about this. A friend of mine is currently active duty enlisted and is going to go OCS or to a 4-yr ROTC green to gold scholarship program.

First of all, what is your rank while you are in either program? Are you considered enlisted or officer?
Secondly, is it considered fraternization to have a relationship with a comissioned officer in the Reserve or Guard component who is not part of your chain of command while you are in either of these programs?

Thanks so much

[Unregistered]

I have read AR 600-20 about relationships and fraternization policies and it doesn't say anything specifically about this. A friend of mine is currently active duty enlisted and is going to go OCS or to a 4-yr ROTC green to gold scholarship program.

First of all, what is your rank while you are in either program? Are you considered enlisted or officer?
Secondly, is it considered fraternization to have a relationship with a comissioned officer in the Reserve or Guard component who is not part of your chain of command while you are in either of these programs?

Thanks so much

I can't answer the fraternization but I can say that whether enlisted or OCS contract you have to go to basic. In basic, I was a Specialist E-4 pay (had college degree), upon graduation, I would be pinning on Sgt stripes (e-5 pay). Once graduating OCS, you would pin on 2nd LT stripes (O1 pay rank). You are not considered an officer until you graduate all components of OCS and get your stripes. Basically you are enlisted with an OCS contract.

The only thing I can say about fraternization is never within your unit, never between enlisted and officer. However, due to injuries sustained during training, I had a 3 month Army career so maybe some more experienced enlisted folks can help you out in that respect.

[LTC William E. Bailey]

While you are assigned to Officer Candidate School you are neither an officer nor enlisted, you are a candidate. Your pay grade is equivalent to an E-5, unless you are already of a higher pay grade when you arrive. Young enlisted soldiers will sometimes render the salute to you, but they are not required to do so and you should not expect it from an NCO. While you are assigned to an ROTC program you are a cadet and a college student, who occasionally wears a unform to class. During ROTC summer camp you may get training from officers or NCOs, and both will be considered your superiors. Any rank you hold in your ROTC class or OCS class, is solely for the internal workings of the class and has no meaning outside that class on the greater Army.

It is fraternization to have a sexual relationship with any officer while you are in either of these programs. Relationships between soldiers of different rank are prohibited if they:

(1) Compromise, or appear to compromise, the integrity of supervisory authority or the chain of command.

(2) Cause actual or perceived partiality or unfairness.

(3) Involve, or appear to involve, the improper use of rank or position for personal gain.

(4) Are, or are perceived to be, exploitative or coercive in nature.

(5) Create an actual or clearly predictable adverse impact on discipline, authority, morale, or the ability of the command to accomplish its mission.

While your friend is in OCS or ROTC their focus should be on completing their training to the best of their ability and moving on to the next phase of their training in their career. Any officer will know that this kind of relationship is forbidden, and conducting themsleves in this way is not only against good order and discipline, but is conduct unbecoming an officer. I would have no compunction from court-martialing an officer who had a "relationship" with a cadet or a candidate.

[homeslice_82]

I have read AR 600-20 about relationships and fraternization policies and it doesn't say anything specifically about this. A friend of mine is currently active duty enlisted and is going to go OCS or to a 4-yr ROTC green to gold scholarship program.

First of all, what is your rank while you are in either program? Are you considered enlisted or officer?
Secondly, is it considered fraternization to have a relationship with a comissioned officer in the Reserve or Guard component who is not part of your chain of command while you are in either of these programs?

Thanks so much

The only way an enlisted person can marry an officer is if both were enlisted when they started the relationship and one gets commissioned. Then the couple has a certain amount of time to either get married or break up. I'm pretty sure that's in the AR. Basically officer and enlisted - don't even bother really. But it does happen that officers and enlisted hook up...or senior enlisted and junior enlisted.