Why can’t an enlisted soldier date an officer?

What if the two get married before the officer commissioned? Like, while the officer is still in school and wearing a cadet rank.

The perception of partiality in the ranks is the main reason.

Technically, every enlisted soldier is the subordinate of every officer, even if they are in completely different chains of command. Of course, this is also true of NCO > Junior Enlisted relationships, and even a relationship between a Corporal and a Sergeant.

What's the reg regarding enlisted(male) sleeping with(well...not much rest though)the base CO's wife? Asking for a friend...

It's prohibited to facilitate good order and discipline. An officer engaging in a personal relationship with an enlisted member creates a potential conflict of interest and the perception on impropriety. I assume this applies to heterosexual and homosexual relationships in today's military. The restriction is based on the potential requirement for the officer to order the enlisted person into a situation where they are at risk of injury or death and the potential hesitation or refusal on the part of the officer to do so. Attendant to that is the perception and reality of favoritism for the "Commander's girl friend" in all types of official situations ranging from promotion to assignment to something as simple as granting leave.

I would always recommend against such relationships. They are replete with opportunities for problems and heart break. A passionate relationship gone bad could turn into a he-said-she-said sexual assault case quickly. One complaint from a subordinate, civilian employee, or ex-spouse could put a Commander in the position of having to take action--normally against the officer. Not to mention the emotional toll of keeping an otherwise loving relationship secret possibly requiring lying and deception. The enlisted-officer romantic relationship violates a basic leadership principle: never screw your people figuratively or literally. It is a quick way for a Commander to get relieved.

This is not to say it never happens. I have an acquaintance who was an Air Force pilot, a Captain, who was married to an Air Force air traffic controller, a SSgt. They kept their relationship secret until the wedding announcements. Neither his nor her commander objected to the wedding and as far as I know they lived "happily ever after." This probably happens more often than I realize. It is probably carried off successfully because nobody complained to the chain of command.

Note: The Guard and Reserve have an exception to these rules. If enlisted and officer personnel meet and conduct a relationship while outside of their military duties, then it's okay. They just can't further that relationship while under jurisdiction of the UCMJ.

If there is a catastropic event the officer could be the senior surviving officer and therefore in command. The fact that they begin in different commands does not change how the base support operations work.

Haha they do it anyways.

I started Active Duty 1/74. Enlisted/officer fraternasation wasn't okay then and it shouldn't be now

Because they can't. Why question regulations?

Blame the Navy. When we went to across the board regs for all branches - this practice was adopted. Guess life on a ship is different. Shouldn't effect the soldiers imo.

Holy fucking typos! Proof read your stuff before you post it to the world to sed