Posted on May 8, 2015
On an OIC and NCOIC team, where is the fraternization boundary?
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Officers in Charge must work professionally with a Noncommissioned Officer in Charge. It is important for that team to build a trusting relationship with each other. How do they do this specifically, including during off-duty hours, and not cross the fraternization line? Or does the fraternization policy not really apply to OIC-NCOIC leadership team relationships?
Fraternization
Leadership
Professionalism
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
That is a great question. I have been on both sides of this. It can be a cautionary tale. I only maintain a professional relations with my subordinates. I make every attempt to let them know that we are professionals and we each have our roles. Might we go out and break bread together? Yes, I don't think that is really much of an issue. Do I have them over to my house for dinner. No, for me that is too personal. We do social functions when they are military related but when we are off we don't causally socialize. It can blur the lines and can come to a point where you lose sight of the command structure and replace it with a social connection.
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COL Vincent Stoneking
Very well stated. A professional relationship is required. A cordial association is nice. Friendship is not a requirement. IF it ends up developing, and is with the bounds of non-fraternization, great.
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My NCOIC becomes one of my best friends over time. It happens naturally, especially if you get along/see eye to eye/have a lot in common. As long as both parties remain professional at the office.
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http://www.defense.gov/specials/fraternization/
When it really boils down it to it, it's a Professional relationship, as opposed to a Personal relationship. That doesn't mean there aren't personal aspects, however "conflicts of interest" cannot creep in.
As long as there are none, no line is really crossed.
As an example, an Officer and NCO hitting chow to discuss business is not outside of bounds, and during chow "occasionally" personal matters or even just extraneous BS just pops up, which builds mutual trust and respect. That said, spouses are often introduced into the mix as part of the "support network" and when that happens topics generally deviate much farther from strictly business. That isn't outside bounds either, however these instances should be tempered to a "reasonable level."
But when it really boils down to it, this is a Commander and his Senior Enlisted Adviser. Sometimes that is a Colonel with a Sergeant Major. Sometimes it's a Lieutenant with a Staff Sergeant. They are a Team, and they are going to interact more closely most other officers and enlisted.
The line really is when that relationship stops being one of officer & enlisted, and more of "buddy."
When it really boils down it to it, it's a Professional relationship, as opposed to a Personal relationship. That doesn't mean there aren't personal aspects, however "conflicts of interest" cannot creep in.
As long as there are none, no line is really crossed.
As an example, an Officer and NCO hitting chow to discuss business is not outside of bounds, and during chow "occasionally" personal matters or even just extraneous BS just pops up, which builds mutual trust and respect. That said, spouses are often introduced into the mix as part of the "support network" and when that happens topics generally deviate much farther from strictly business. That isn't outside bounds either, however these instances should be tempered to a "reasonable level."
But when it really boils down to it, this is a Commander and his Senior Enlisted Adviser. Sometimes that is a Colonel with a Sergeant Major. Sometimes it's a Lieutenant with a Staff Sergeant. They are a Team, and they are going to interact more closely most other officers and enlisted.
The line really is when that relationship stops being one of officer & enlisted, and more of "buddy."
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SSgt Paul Wikowsky
1stLt to SSgt... Had that issue arrise. But shot it down as there is no clearer mentor program. SSgts make 1stLts into great officers.
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