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Christopher Boyer, E, Expert
Hello, this is Chris, and I will be helping you with your question today. I am an attorney with over 20 years of experience with social security and other areas of law and tax, and I hope my experience will lead me to provide you with a full and complete answer. Please understand that this site is for informational purposes only and by me answering your question, it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Thank you for using justanswer and thank you for your question. How are you doing this fine day?
Christopher Boyer, E, Expert
Great, I am glad to hear that. I am doing well, thank you for asking. I do have some follow up questions to give you a more detailed response. I want to ensure that you are satisfied and therefore, I need to understand your question fully. Are there any other relevant facts that you need to give me?
Christopher Boyer, E, Expert
Is this person of same or similar rank and not in your chain of command?
Christopher Boyer, E, Expert
Is there anything else you would like to add before I draft and research an answer for you?
Christopher Boyer, E, Expert
Give me just a moment to review your question and I will quickly draft an answer for you. Thank you for your patience.
Christopher Boyer, E, Expert
I understand you are concerned about dating someone in your unit. Let me see if I can help. In the military, officers and members of enlisted ranks are prohibited from having certain personal interactions outside of their professional duties and orders. Fraternization between service members of different grades, between trainees and enlisted members, and between recruiters and recruits is also prohibited. The act of fraternizing becomes a criminal offense under Article 134 when the conduct “has compromised the chain of command, resulted in the appearance of partiality, or otherwise undermined good order, discipline, authority, or morale.” Since you are of similar rank and not in each other's chain of command, you are allowed to have this relationship without it being prohibited by the military. I hope this helps.
If you have any follow up questions, please reply here and I’ll be happy to assist you.
Christopher Boyer, E, Expert
I quoted you the language from article 134. You can date someone 2 ranks above or below. You are only 1 rank in difference. Here is a good article on all branches of the military and the rules: https://www.ucmjlaw.com/courts-martial/military-crimes/fraternization/
Christopher Boyer, E, Expert
That is getting dicey and you may speak with your chain of command to confirm if it is acceptable. You might think of avoiding this relationship and it may depend on your commanding officer as to if this is acceptable or not.
Christopher Boyer, E, Expert
You do not have to ask stating that it has happened. If it has then it may be best to end the relationship. You are probably ok if this person is not in your chain of command but it may be difficult to prove when this relationship started. It would be safest to stop the relationship.
Christopher Boyer, E, Expert
I hope I was able to answer your question. If you would like to ask me another question in the future, you can add me as a favorite Expert. You'll have the option to do that on your "My Questions" page if you choose to rate our interaction or you can request me by name if you wish, again my name is @Christopher B, Esq.