Fraternization

15 Jul 21

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

Per OPNAVINST 5370.2D and U.S. Navy Regulations, 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. Similar relationships which 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. Officer and Enlisted members are prohibited from engaging in such unduly familiar personal relationships regardless of the service affiliation or the service rules of the other person, including unduly familiar relationships with members of foreign military services.

Prohibited relationships include:

1. Personal relationships between officer and enlisted members which are unduly familiar and do not respect differences in grade or rank.

2. 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.

3. Personal relationships between officers or between enlisted which are unduly familiar and do not respect differences in grade or rank, such that they are of a nature to bring discredit to the Naval service or are prejudicial to good order.

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. J. PAPARO