1 Unprofessional Relationships. 2 Overview  AFI 36-2909 Professional Relations Unprofessional Relationships Fraternization  Responsibilities Personal/Commander/Supervisor.

Presentation on theme: "1 Unprofessional Relationships. 2 Overview  AFI 36-2909 Professional Relations Unprofessional Relationships Fraternization  Responsibilities Personal/Commander/Supervisor."— Presentation transcript:

1 1 Unprofessional Relationships

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

3 3 AFI 36-2909, Professional and Unprofessional Relationships  1 May 1999  Applies To All Air Force Personnel Active DutyActive Duty Air National GuardAir National Guard Air Force ReservesAir Force Reserves

4 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 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 6 UPRs - Factors to Consider  Unprofessional relationships can exist between: OfficersOfficers Enlisted membersEnlisted members Officers and enlisted membersOfficers and enlisted members Military members and civilian workersMilitary members and civilian workers

7 7 AFI 36-2909 Specific Situations  Relationships Within An Organization. Personal relationships between members of different grades or positions in these categories can easily become unprofessional.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.As differences in grade increase, even without command or supervisory relationship, the risk of UPR or perceived UPR, increases. Seniors always have authority over juniors.Seniors always have authority over juniors.

8 8  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.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.Relationships between superiors and subordinates invariably raise the perception of favoritism or misuse of position. AFI 36-2909 Specific Situations

9 9  Officer/enlisted Marriages An officer married to an enlisted member is not by itself fraternization.An officer married to an enlisted member is not by itself fraternization. When evidence of fraternization does exist, subsequent marriage does not preclude prosecution.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.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 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 11  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. Elements of Fraternization (MCM, Sec IV, Article 134, Para 83)

12 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 13 Factors to Consider  Has the Conduct Compromised the Chain of CommandCompromised the Chain of Command Resulted in the Appearance of PartialityResulted in the Appearance of Partiality Undermined:Undermined: Good Order? Good Order? Discipline? Discipline? Authority? Authority? Morale? Morale?

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

15 15 AFI 36-2909  Personal Relationships between AF members become matters of official concern when they adversely affect morale, discipline, respect for authority, unit cohesion, or mission accomplishment.

16 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 17 Commander and Supervisory 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 18 Courses of Action  Administrative Order to CeaseOrder to Cease CounselingCounseling ReprimandReprimand RemovalRemoval DemotionDemotion Loss of NCO StatusLoss of NCO Status Adverse Comments on performance reportsAdverse Comments on performance reports Administrative SeparationsAdministrative Separations

19 19 Courses of Action  Punitive Article 15Article 15 Courts-MartialCourts-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 20 UCMJ  Article 92, Failure to Obey a Lawful Order or General Regulation Enlisted/Enlisted UPREnlisted/Enlisted UPR Military/Civilian UPRMilitary/Civilian UPR  Article 133, Conduct Unbecoming an Officer Officer/Officer UPROfficer/Officer UPR  Article 134, Fraternization Officer/Enlisted UPROfficer/Enlisted UPR

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

22 22 QUESTIONS

23 23 Summary  AFI 36-2909 Professional RelationsProfessional Relations Unprofessional RelationshipsUnprofessional Relationships FraternizationFraternization  Responsibilities Personal/Commander/SupervisorPersonal/Commander/Supervisor  Courses of Actions Administrative/PunitiveAdministrative/Punitive  Legalities UCMJ/Maximum PunishmentUCMJ/Maximum Punishment  Questions/Answers

24 24 UnprofessionalRelationships