Are you allowed to hang out with someone higher rank?

It’s not so much the rank as whether they are directly in your chain of command.

In this case, it probably would be seen as fraternization and at least frowned upon, but it really depends on the command.

One thing you need to know is that there is a difference between what the rules say and what actually gets you in trouble, and that is especially true in the military.

The social hierarchy of the army drives me bonkers. Fancy joining a fanatical organisation that is violently opposed to social equality. it’s pretty weird when you think about it.

There is suppose to be a severe dividing line between officer and enlisted ranks. On active duty especially, officers and enlisted are not allowed to “hang out” together ( called “fraternizing” ). There are perfectly valid reasons for this.

@CaptainHarley such as? when you look at groups like the SAS they seem to sort themselves out effectively and democratically without emphasis on Saluting and a false system of superiority.

I don’t know enough about the command structure of the Special Air Service to be able to discuss the point.

In combat, chaos reigns. Officers have to be able to issue orders with every expectation they will be obeyed. Sometimes, officers have to give orders they know will most likely result in the death of those trying to carry them out. Giving such orders to “friends” is several orders of magnitude more difficult than otherwise. Many times, officers cannot afford the luxury of hesitation or uncertainty.

@CaptainHarley i guess, but cohesion and fundamental equality has to be apparent for the sake of morale, wouldn’t you say? that isn’t to do away with leadership, but leadership that puts the well being of their comrades before themselves, no?

When in doubt, refer to sound military doctrine.

The mission always comes first. It has to. The personnel come second.

Between my previous service in the Army and my current time in the Air Force, I’ve known it has always been discouraged to have enlisted service members fraternizing with the members of the officer corps. Where the possible incongruity comes into play is differentiating what might be allowable during off duty time but policy and procedure can be interpreted that fraternization should not extend even off base and into personal relationships and behaviors.

Another factor to consider is that fraternization is much more strictly enforced in the active duty side of the military as opposed to the National Guard and Reserve components of the military. I am personally aware of a Techinical Sergeant in the Air National Guard that married a Lieutenant Colonel and both individuals were both part of the same air wing. This is something you would never see at an active duty base and if you did by some chance, it would be very rare and highy unusual.

That LTC’s commander needs his ass kicked!

@CaptainHarley I thought personnel came third and equipment was second, at least for enlisted people.

@jerv

Dude, go play in traffic! LOL!