1. Professional & Unprofessional Relationships

2. Overview AFI 36-2909 Responsibilities Courses of Actions Legalities
Professional Relations
Unprofessional Relationships
Fraternization
Responsibilities
Personal/Commander/Supervisor
Courses of Actions
Administrative/Punitive
Legalities
UCMJ/Maximum Punishment
Questions/Answers

3. AFI 36-2909 1 May 1999 Applies To All Air Force Personnel Active Duty
Air National Guard
Air Force Reserves

4. Professional Relations
Professional Relations Are Those That Contribute to the Effective Operation of the Air Force.
Personnel Are Encouraged to Communicate Freely With Superiors Regarding Their Careers, Performance, Duties, and Missions.

5. Unprofessional Relationships (UPR)
Any personal relationship, whether pursued on or off-duty, that detracts from the authority of superiors or result in, or reasonably create the appearance of, favoritism, misuse of office or position, or the abandonment of organizational goals for personal interests

6. UPRs: Factors to Consider
Unprofessional relationships can exist between:
Officers
Enlisted members
Officers and enlisted members
Military members and civilian workers

7. AFI 36-2909 Specific Scenarios
Relationships Within an Organization
Personal relationships between members of different grades or positions in these categories can easily become unprofessional
As differences in grade increase, even without command or supervisory relationship, the risk of UPR or perceived UPR, increases
The senior-ranking member always have authority over the junior-ranking

8. AFI 36-2909 Specific Scenarios
Dating and Close Friendships
Subject to the same policy considerations as other relationships. Become a matter of official concern when they adversely affect morale, discipline, unit cohesion, respect for authority, or mission accomplishment
Relationships between superiors and subordinates invariably raise the perception of favoritism or misuse of position

9. AFI 36-2909 Specific Scenarios
Officer/Enlisted Marriages
An officer married to an enlisted member is not by itself fraternization
When evidence of fraternization does exist, subsequent marriage does not preclude prosecution
Regardless of how marriage came to be, members are expected to respect all customs and courtesies when on duty or in uniform in public

10. Fraternization
A personal relationship between an officer and enlisted member which violates the customary bounds of acceptable behavior in the Air Force and prejudices good order and discipline, discredits the armed services, or operates to the personal disgrace or dishonor of the officer involved.

11. Elements of Fraternization
(MCM, Sec IV, Article 134, Para 83)
Element One: That the accused was a commissioned or warrant officer.
Element Two: That the accused fraternized with enlisted members on terms of military equality.
Element Three: That the accused knew the person to be an enlisted member.

12. Elements of Fraternization
(MCM, Sec IV, Article 134, Para 83)
Element Four: That the accused violated the customs of the service that officers shall not fraternize with enlisted members on terms of military equality.
Element Five: The conduct was prejudicial to good order and discipline of the armed forces or of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces.

13. Factors to Consider Has the Conduct Compromised the Chain of Command
Resulted in the Appearance of Partiality
Undermined:
Good Order?
Discipline?
Authority?
Morale

14. AFI 36-2909 Specific Prohibitions
Officers Will Not:
Gamble with enlisted members.
Borrow money from enlisted members.
Engage in sexual relations with or date enlisted members.
Share living accommodations with enlisted members
Engage, on a personal basis, in business enterprises with enlisted members, or solicit sales to/from enlisted members.

15. AFI
Personal Relationships between Air Force members become matters of official concern when they adversely affect morale, discipline, respect for authority, unit cohesion, or mission accomplishment.

16. Personal Responsibility
All officers are expected to exhibit the highest standards of professional conduct and lead by example.
Members should expect to be and must be held accountable for the impact of their conduct on the Air Force as an institution.
The senior member in a relationship is primarily responsible for maintaining the professionalism of that relationship

17. Commander and Supervisor Responsibilities
Commanders and supervisors at all levels have the authority and the responsibility to maintain good order, discipline, and morale within their units.
Commanders may be held accountable for failing to act in appropriate cases.

18. Courses of Action Administrative Order to Cease Counseling Reprimand
Removal
Demotion
Loss of NCO Status
Adverse Comments on performance reports
Administrative Separations

19. Courses of Action Punitive
Article 15
Courts-Martial
Action taken should normally be the least severe necessary to correct the relationship, giving full consideration to the impact the relationship has had on the organization.

20. UCMJ Article 92, Failure to Obey a Lawful Order or General Regulation
Enlisted/Enlisted Unprofessional Relationship
Military/Civilian Unprofessional Relationship
Article 133, Conduct Unbecoming an Officer
Officer/Officer Unprofessional Relationship
Article 134, Fraternization
Officer/Enlisted Unprofessional Relationship

21. Maximum Punishment Forfeiture of All Pay and Allowances Dismissal
Confinement for 2 Years

22. Summary AFI 36-2909 Responsibilities Courses of Actions Legalities
Professional Relations
Unprofessional Relationships
Fraternization
Responsibilities
Personal/Commander/Supervisor
Courses of Actions
Administrative/Punitive
Legalities
UCMJ/Maximum Punishment

23. QUESTIONS