Posted on Jan 2, 2015
Fraternization and the Reserves - Where is the line?
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This question may very well apply to Active Duty as well, as it leads to some larger ones of, "What actually constitutes fraternization / what is the intent?"
However, I address the larger issue to the Reserve components. When a Reserve Servicemember is only "on duty" one weekend a month, can you expect the same fraternization policies? More specifically, what if two people share a civilian work relationship, but also a military reservist one? Our TPU Soldiers call each other by first names, or "Mister", when not at Drill, often regardless of rank. That even includes one LTC, because during the week he is "Mister so-and-so the UA" not "LTC So-and-so." Thus, can he really be told he can't socialize with his coworkers because they, too, happen to be Reservists? Or, should there be more relaxed standards in the Reserves, so long as it doesn't disrupt order and discipline?
However, I address the larger issue to the Reserve components. When a Reserve Servicemember is only "on duty" one weekend a month, can you expect the same fraternization policies? More specifically, what if two people share a civilian work relationship, but also a military reservist one? Our TPU Soldiers call each other by first names, or "Mister", when not at Drill, often regardless of rank. That even includes one LTC, because during the week he is "Mister so-and-so the UA" not "LTC So-and-so." Thus, can he really be told he can't socialize with his coworkers because they, too, happen to be Reservists? Or, should there be more relaxed standards in the Reserves, so long as it doesn't disrupt order and discipline?
Posted in these groups: 
Fraternization
Ethics
Fraternization Ethics
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 54
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Sounds like full time technicians during tje week. Yes, they need to maintain military bearing, even though they are "Mister" during the week. I have never worked with a fellow unit member in civilian life though. Some of my fellow teachers are in other reserve components and enlisted, but we have only officially known each other as teachers, so this is a very different situation.
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even NCO to junior enlisted or officer to either one, as long as the relationship is not affected in the direct chain of command there should be no problem. I would say that only in conditions of combat or combat zone would there be a potential problem.
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9 years active in the Marines. 3 Marine reserves. 10 National Guard. I knew one person under me that I could associate with off duty. We drank together among other things and he never called me anything but Sergeant and never asked for favors at work. Fraternization rules are to keep the work environment uncomplicated.
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While there is a legitimate question regarding RC fraternization, the transition to weekend service member from a civilian job is smoother than one may think in my experience. I have seen true military discipline among Guard and Reservists.
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While I was a company commander in the National Guard I had a female SSG who worked in the Aid Station who was interested in me. I did not return the interest because I was the Commander and I did not want any of my soldiers to think that she was getting special treatment. I dod not fraternize with her at all. while in command.
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I am retired reserve in some cases the roll is reversed the civilian boss is the subordinate at drill and at do fraternisation is a great big grey area in the reserves and guard so the bottom line here as long as when personnel are on duty again refering to drill and at or even in uniform as long as regulations are enforced and discipline maintained I see no issue here. As former active duty there are lines that should not be crossed.
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Fraternization policy should only be enforced while on a military mission. Nobody should be expected to live a restricted life for a job that meets 1 weekend a month. When deployed or activated then apply active duty standard.
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As long as I may have to order a subordinate to perform some task that might get them killed, I should not have my judgement colored by another relationship.
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What I have seen since so many officers and enlisted in NG work together in the civilian sector, is the burden has been to prove favouritism has stemmed from their outside relationship.
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