4 Apr 24

As Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, I am committed to maintaining an environment of professionalism for all service members and civilian employees who serve and those who support and serve with our military forces.

The Navy's policy on fraternization is clear. Personal relationships between officers and enlisted members which are unduly familiar and do not respect differences in rank and grade are prohibited and violate long-standing customs and tradition of the naval service. Relationships that are unduly familiar between officers or between enlisted members of different rank or grade may also be prejudicial to good order and discipline or may be of a nature to bring discredit to the naval service and are therefore also prohibited.

Prohibited relationships include:

a. Personal relationships between officer and enlisted members which are unduly familiar and do not respect differences in grade or rank. Relationships are prohibited regardless of the service affiliation or the service rules of the other person, including unduly familiar relationships with members of foreign military services.

b. Personal relationships between Chief Petty Officers (E-7 to E-9) and Junior Personnel (E-1 to E-6), who are assigned to the same command which are unduly familiar and do not respect differences in grade or rank. This prohibition is based on the unique leadership responsibility of the Chief Petty Officer.

c. Personal relationships that are unduly familiar between staff or instructor and student personnel within Navy training commands, and between recruiting personnel and prospects.

d. Relationships between officer and enlisted members that are non-intimate, but involve frequent, exclusive off-duty activities not related to command events may be unduly familiar and not respect differences in grade or rank.

Unduly familiar relationships create the potential for real or perceived conflicts of interest within the command, and are therefore detrimental to positive morale, unit cohesiveness and good order and discipline. Fraternization will not be tolerated.

S.T. KOEHLER