Posted on Jul 11, 2016
SSG Randall P.
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As long as we all understand what Fraternization is, soldiers can be found running around the installation running around catching Pokémon, playing Call of Duty with their squad leader online, or Invading a small village in ARMA 3 with their entire platoon. Would this be considered fraternization? Cause I mean, what if me and Sarge are guildies! SUP 1SG TROGDOR!

I suppose I have worded my question silly, I suppose this is part a PSA too... Heads up... People are going to be hanging out that normally don't. Saw COL and PVT joking about pokemon at the PX today.
Posted in these groups: 2e48419c FraternizationDddbf719 Computers
Edited 8 y ago
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CPT Jack Durish
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Playing competitive sports can be a valuable "team building" exercise. (And for those who don't consider computer games as competitive sports, you need to see the money being paid to top competitors).
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Capt Mba Student
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The whole idea behind Fraternization is that its prejudicial to good order and discipline. Is playing Call of Duty on the same team going to keep that Squad Leader from sending his Lance Corporal to take out a machine gun nest because they played in the same game lobby? I really don't think so. I honestly wouldn't care if Marines are sharing gamertags and playing games online, as long as they're not hanging out one-on-one at each other's house and broing out. As SSG Colwell pointed out, servicemembers can be part of the same church, clubs, etc. and most online games take place within a larger community. I don't see it as much of an issue as long as it doesn't become a "good ole boy" type of activity which creates a perception of favoritism and discontent in the unit.
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SSG Randall P.
SSG Randall P.
8 y
Sir,
Thank-you for your input, I appreciate it.
I don't know that a lot of people understand what an augmented reality game is yet, thought they soon will, but this will change that dynamic of "game Lobby". Believe me you are going to see some strange stuff happening. Will affect anyone's ability to take out an enemy emplacement, likely no. Will I show a little bit more favoritism because I play in a video game lobby with this soldier, maybe even for promotion. Possibly.
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Capt Mba Student
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8 y
You can just as easily build rapport in the workplace with the kind of talk in the game lobby with FPS games. I can't speak for the MMO community and I honestly can't remember if my Marines in my last platoon shared gamertags, but what I can be sure of is that 95% of the talk in those game lobbies is about who is having sex with your mom. Leaders will have to do as they have always done and use good judgment when taking part in social activities with their subordinates.
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SSG Jim Beverly
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I agree with the other posters. I invited a 1SG from another company to a raid in World of Warcraft because we had exchanged battle tags during a prior meeting with several members of the unit that played. The raid group had a large number of various ranks, officers and enlisted, from our unit and took that sucker down before any other group on our server. The most that did for our professional interaction was a reminiscing here and there at the smoke shack, but he was still "First Sergeant" and I was still "Sergeant Beverly." To echo what the others have said, if the troops in question have the maturity and integrity necessary to keep the gaming in the game and professionalism at work, I don't believe any form of online gaming is inherently fraternization.
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SSG Randall P.
SSG Randall P.
8 y
I raid with my section but wouldn't ever raid with my 1SG
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SSG Jim Beverly
SSG Jim Beverly
8 y
Wasn't *my* 1SG. Different company. And even then it wasn't a regular thing, and never once affected good order and discipline; as long as that's maintained, it's no big deal in my opinion.
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