Fraternization in the United States Air Force: Development of a Policy Booklet
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze and elucidate the Air Force's policy towards fraternization, an inappropriate social relationship between service members of different grades. The research effort had two major objectives: (1) Determine the Air Force policy towards fraternization through an examination of regulations, policy documents, legal sources, and training materials; (2) Produce a fraternization policy booklet that could be used by commanders, JAGs, and other Air Force members to better understand the rules and issues which govern off-duty social relationships. The study found that there is a definable Air Force policy against certain forms of fraternization based on regulation, court opinion, and other official policy sources. Many specific behaviors and associations are prohibited, especially intimate relationships between officers and enlisted persons assigned to the same unit, and between supervisors and their direct subordinates. Although the research discovered some contradictions, most sources provided a similar, yet incomplete view of the overall issue. As an end product of the research, the study produced a stand- alone fraternization policy booklet. This fifty page guide integrated material from over 100 different sources, including interviews with various policy experts. Organized topically, the booklet covers several subjects, including: the fraternization custom, professional relationships, situational factors, Air Force institutional practices, marriage policy, criminal/administrative sanctions, and current issues. Theses. (FR)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA201588
Entities
People
- Richard T. Devereaux
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology