Cross branch fraternization?

Question

I am in Air Force ROTC with one year until graduation/commision and someone I'm dating has enlisted in the Marines, he will be leaving for bootcamp this month. I dont understand the cross brach military fraternization policy and was hoping someone could give us some guidance before things get too serious. We are both very interested in pursuing a relationship, but are trying to be responsible about it. Any ideas?

Answer 1

As long as the relationship started PRIOR to your commission, you will have no problem.  And the fact that he will never be in your chain of command will make any problems none existent

Answer 2

If it's before you become commissioned then the relationship (including romantic ones) between you and your enlisted Marine boy friend will be okay. For example, I heard of a case where 2 soldiers, 1 NCO and one Lt were both married. Since the relationship happened before the officer's commissioning, the relationship is legal under the UCMJ.  If you were already an USAF Officer and dating an enlisting or enlisted personnel (regardless of service) then it's fraternizing.  

Answer 3

Doesnt matter if you two decide to pursue a relationship.

The officer thing generally only matters if you are his superior, ex. his XO in charge of his company. If you were an XO in the marines and with a different unit it still wouldnt matter.

Since this is cross-branch, it doesnt make a l**k of difference.

Answer 4

Should be fine, dont know for sure.  I remember reading about some of that, and its basically just a command thing.  You have even better odds by being in different services.  Google knows all.

Answer 5

My sources define the legal UCMJ and MCM (Manual for Courts-Martial) opinions on Officer-Enlisted fraternization for you, regardless of pre-existing relationships.  I only know from personal experience about situations I saw involving Marine Enlisteds attempting to have relationships with Marine Officers.  I plead some ignorance on cross-service fraternization except in the case that the two of you are stationed at some point at the same duty station which would or possible could cause this to come into play.

Read my source material and talk to senior personnel in your ROTC command for further clarification.

I hope this helps you!

Answer 6

There are circumstances when you'll be working with other servicemen/woman from other forces.  When you do and say they're in your chain of command (this happens all the time), then cross frat applies.  

Otherwise, if you're not working with them, you're ok.

EDIT #1:  Faternization is not commissioned to commissioned or commisioned to enlisted only.  It can be within enlisted ranks, commisioned and/or Govt employee/civilian contractor to enlisted/commissioned officer and reversed.   As long as they are in the same chain of command and/or unit, it can and often considered fraternization.  I was an EO advisor.  I did this work for quite a while and saw all kinds of service people lose their careers over garbage.

Edit #2:  The relationships DO NOT need to be romantic in nature.  If say, the junior/senior person, doesn't matter buys the other a gift (or does a favor)--BAM!, that's grounds for the charge.  It's a matter or perception--always is.

Edit #3:  Maffy, you're fine in this case.  There's no probable way that you and the marine will be in any relationship now or later that has you both working together.  The myth like adaptions of having a prior relationship to working together doesn't work.  So the above comments telling you if preexisting are innacurate--it's still frat.  The excuse, even if true, has been used many times and once your chain of command gets that knowledge of two soldiers (working together again) having a relationship, the perception 9 times out of 10 is going to be frat if they want it to end or they're looking to make examples.  

...still, this is not the case for you so u have no worries.

Answer 7

There are no rules across branches of the military.  The only issue is the Air Force and the Marines are about as far apart as Christianity and Atheism.  WOW you guys are in for a fun ride!

Only trouble is the difference in ranks.  Officers and enlisted for all practical purposes are not to fraternize.  Even non NCO's and NCO's are not supposed to fraternize.  If you are going to be an officer, and he an enlisted there may be troubles.  It's like marrying your boss... preferential treatment and such.

Also, there is the issue of deployment.  You two won't be in the same place probably ever, honestly.  The Air Force and Marines don't run in the same circles, and he very well may get the harrassment of his life for dating an Air Force enlistee.  

Just to let you know, thanks for considering the service, it is a great thing you both are doing....   I am a former Marine, and never did take much stock in the Air Force, just a Marine "thing" at the time I was in.  Not sure, but don't believe it's much different now.  Once he leaves USMC basic training, he may have a different mentality as well.  

Good luck to both of you.

Answer 8

Have you thought about asking your ROTC OIC/NCOIC? and you're going to be an officer. ONE UNIT OF CANNON FODDER COMING RIGHT UP SARGE.