Relationships Between Military Members of Different Rank: One Standard for Active and Reserve Components

摘要

The Army policy on relationships between soldiers of different rank changed dramatically on 2 March 1999 in response to the Secretary of Defense's order to prohibit certain relationships between officer and enlisted members that up until that time had not been proscribed by the Army. The new policy, which restricts relationships between officers and enlisted soldiers, even if not in the same chain of command, brings Army policy into line with those of the other Services. The new Army policy is flawed in that it explicitly provides broad exceptions for part-time Reserve soldiers; as a result, they are treated differently from other Army personnel.