My cousin and I are fairly close. Would we still be able to hang out if he gets promoted to SGT and I’m a PV2?

2017-12-18T01:47:35-05:00

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2017 1:48 AM

2017-12-18T01:48:47-05:00

Absolutely. You have to separate business and family.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2017 1:55 AM

2017-12-18T01:55:57-05:00

What is AR 600-20 say about fraternization? Is your brother your 1st line supervisor? Is he in your unit? My former roommate, and close friend became an officer, of duty we are on first name basis. When in uniform we follow the protocol. That is the challenge, some people cannot turn off the "buddy" and dude during duty hours, that's why the Army is forced to create policies about fraternization.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Dec 18 at 2017 2:19 AM

2017-12-18T02:19:17-05:00

Of course. As long as your cousin does not overstep any boundaries or you request certain favors. Fraternization rules are very easy to follow.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Dec 18 at 2017 5:53 AM

2017-12-18T05:53:38-05:00

Why not as you are Family

Response by SPC David Willis made Dec 18 at 2017 9:18 AM

2017-12-18T09:18:31-05:00

If he's not in your chain of command it certainly wont be a problem. If he's not in your unit, you'll hardly have to worry about anything. If he is ever part of your CoC though HE should go to the CO and ask to be moved because its going to be very difficult to treat family the same as other privates particularly if he ever had to give you an order that could get you killed.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2017 10:03 AM

2017-12-18T10:03:44-05:00

This is classified as a Pre existing relationship. I know a Maj that's married to a Msgt, They got married and she went Officer he didn't. My Brother is a LT I'm a First Class (Different Branches) one of my Best Friends is a Chief his mom calls me the "Good Son" All are relationships that predate the Military. When we are in Uniform we all keep it civil and respectful, When out of uniform its family and again we are civil and respectful as one is with kin.

So long as your friend or kin are not in your chain of command you should not have any issues. If they are in your chain of command you need to notify the CoC asap so you do not end up getting in trouble or causes any animosity within your unit.

Response by SSG Jessica Bautista made Dec 18 at 2017 10:10 AM

2017-12-18T10:10:02-05:00

My dad is currently a LTC. When we were deployed, he would have anyone headed my way check up on me, in addition to frequently calling our aid station. If we're both in uniform, he's an officer who happens to be my dad. Work stays at work.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2017 10:14 AM

2017-12-18T10:14:41-05:00

One of the historic houses at Offutt AFB has a senior noncom and a LTC as occupants

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Dec 18 at 2017 10:31 AM

2017-12-18T10:31:36-05:00

Fraternization regs are primarily based on when a relationship is started and generally do not apply to family members. The military should keep you separate to where it never becomes an issue. You may have ‘barracks lawyers’ that try to tell you otherwise and the best way to overcome that is find the reg yourself and understand it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2017 10:59 AM

2017-12-18T10:59:10-05:00

I had this question about a friend who enlisted before I did, he's a Sergeant now and I'm a PV2. We went to the same college prior to enlisting. We are in different units, different MOS, he's never going to be over me. We talk outside of work, about military stuff and about anything else, we've met up at concerts. When you're on duty turn the buddy off, he's a Sergeant. When you're off duty, you're fine.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 18 at 2017 11:04 AM

2017-12-18T11:04:46-05:00

Look, if he is outside your chain of command and unit, in your off duty time- it's your life and his. When in uniform its SGT and PV2

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Dec 18 at 2017 11:29 AM

2017-12-18T11:29:12-05:00

Good judgement must prevail. If you two aren't in the same chain of command and are "handing out" in civilian clothing in a civilian environment, like your Aunt's House, I don't think it's a major problem. Keep it professional in uniform or in public--no first names or overt familiarity. You shouldn't deny family ties, but don't use them as an excuse for inappropriate behavior.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Dec 18 at 2017 12:30 PM

2017-12-18T12:30:09-05:00

Depends on what you mean by "close". OK, not a big problem, unless there becomes a senior in charge of the other. I knew of an E-5 in the Navy that was married to an O-5 in the Medical corps. He was on submarines, no sweat. Similar to what one would see in the private industry.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2017 1:16 PM

2017-12-18T13:16:04-05:00

The fraternization policy is easy to understand if you take the time to read it & have at least 1 brain cell. Which is hard since seeing what's coming out of basic these days.
If you're related & can keep work & family separated you're good. My old 1SG & his older brother SSG keep rank out of it wen not in uniform & then in uniform it's about rank. But if not related some say its OK to hang with Ur leadership. Me I don't believe it is. I have a really kool 1sg & Co. But I will chat & talk offline but will not hang out & same goes for my subordinates with me. There have to be boundaries set to keep the professionalism there & the respect. Some will disagree with me & some will agree with me. My old SSG told me once not long after after I got my e5, that now you're an nco you have to separate urself from the stupidity of lower enlisted & not entertain their craziness & leave them to their group.
Now I will say this. I wen I 1st enlisted my got activated for Katrina. I barely knew anyone but saw the different groups. I stayed close to my SGTs. They had brains & I learned a lot from them. Off duty we kept most boundaries but laxed on a few. But I was always respectful of rank.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2017 3:44 PM

2017-12-18T15:44:37-05:00

Sure

Response by COL William Oseles made Dec 18 at 2017 8:35 PM

2017-12-18T20:35:11-05:00

Are you active duty or reserve component?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2017 11:06 AM

2017-12-29T11:06:52-05:00

Of course that is your family. My cousin was in the same company as me, I was a sergeant and he was a lance corporal. I always invited him over for dinner with my wife because he is family. But I did explain to him when we put on our uniforms and we are at work you will pay me the respect as a sergeant. So understand at work and in uniform you need to treat him with the respect he deserves and understand you do not rate any special rights because of who you are to him. But outside of work he is your family and their is no reason for you guys not to be able to spend time together.

Response by PVT Brenton Phillips made Jan 28 at 2018 6:51 PM

2018-01-28T18:51:12-05:00

If your family it's fine!

Response by Sgt Trevor Wills made Feb 4 at 2018 8:28 AM

2018-02-04T08:28:21-05:00

Yes you can as long as you give your cousin the proper respect when you're both in public and in uniform.