Lesson 6: Professional and Unprofessional Relationships

SOBs --> 1) Describe professional and unprofessional relationships, 2) Summarize the policy on professional and unprofessional relationships, 3) Summarize the general and specific prohibitions relating to unprofessional relationships for officers, 4) Summarize the effects of unprofessional relationships on unit cohesiveness

Describe professional relationships in the DAF (SOB 1)

i. Reflect Department of the Air Force standards of conduct and core

values

ii. Enhance morale, unit cohesion, good order and discipline and

improve the operational environment

iii. iv. Preserve proper respect for authority and focus on the mission

Examples: organizational activities, unit sponsored events, intramural

sports, chapel activities, community welfare projects and youth

programs

Describe unprofessional relationships in the DAF (SOB 1)

i. Pursued on or off duty

ii. Detract from the authority of superiors

iii. Result in favoritism, misuse of office or position, or the abandonment of organizational goals for personal interests

iv. Involves or appears to involve improper use of grade/position for personal gain

v. Can be perceived as exploitative or coercive in nature

vi. Can occur across all branches of service

List the 5 groups of people where unprofessional relationships take place (SOB 1)

1. Officer members

2. Enlisted members

3. Officer and enlisted members

4. Military and civilians

5. Military and contractors

List the 4 types of relationships to avoid within an organization (SOB 2)

1. Command and supervisory relationship

2. Between members of different grades or positions

3. Grade difference increase risk of perception even without

command/supervisory relationship

4. Relationships with contractor personnel (particularly those you oversee)

List the 3 reasons to avoid dating and close friendships (SOB 2)

1. May affect morale, discipline, unit cohesion, respect for

authority, or mission accomplishment

a. Sexual relationships have higher potential

2. Do not have to be in the same chain of command, unit, service

or component

3. Prohibited between supervisors and subordinates

a. Raises the perception of favoritism or misuse of

position

List the shared activities that should be avoided (SOB 2)

Living accommodations, vacations, transportation, off duty

interests on a recurring basis are not recommended

• Occasional activities can be acceptable

Two reasons to avoid relationships with recruiters, trainers, instructors (SOB 2)

1. Susceptible to abuse of position or favoritism

2. Personal relationships and activities prohibited

List the 5 activities officers are prohibited to engage in (SOB 3)

i. Gamble with enlisted

ii. Lend money to or borrow money from enlisted

iii. Share living accommodations with enlisted

iv. Engage in business enterprises with enlisted members or solicit sales

to/from enlisted members

v. Engage in sexual relations with or date enlisted members

Define fraternization (SOB 3)

Type of UPR between an officer and enlisted which violates customary

bounds of acceptable behavior and prejudices good order and

discipline, discredits the armed services or operates to the personal

disgrace or dishonor of the officer involved

List the three guidelines on Officer/Enlisted Marriage (SOB 3)

i. An officer married to an enlisted member is not by itself fraternization

ii. When evidence of fraternization does exist, subsequent marriage

does not preclude prosecution

iii. Regardless of how marriage came to be, members are expected to

respect all customs and courtesies when on duty or in uniform

List the 8 things recruiters are not allowed to do (SOB 3)

i. Develop or conduct personal, intimate or sexual relationships

ii. Establish a common household: share the same living area in an apartment, house or other dwelling

iii. Consume alcohol on a personal social basis

iv. Attend social gatherings, clubs, bars, theaters, or similar

establishments or participate in personal sporting activities on a personal social basis

v. Allow entry into their dwelling or POV

vi. Gamble

vii. Make sexual advances toward or seek sexual advances or favors from

viii. Lend money to or borrow money from

Summarize the effects of unprofessional relationships on unit cohesiveness (SOB 4)

I. Compromised chain of command

II. Results in the appearance of partiality

III. Undermines good order, discipline, authority and morale

IV. Erodes trust and loyalty within the unit