Does the custom prohibiting romantic relationships outside of marriage between officer and enlisted personnel apply to relationships with members of other military services?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only if both are officers
• D. Only during deployment

Answer: (A)

Maintaining professional boundaries between an officer and an enlisted member is the key idea. This custom isn’t limited to relationships within the same service; it applies to any officer-enlisted pairing, even when the enlisted member is from a different branch. The underlying concern is the officer’s authority and the potential for coercion, favoritism, or conflicts of interest to affect judgment and the chain of command. Extending the same standard to cross‑service relationships helps keep good order and discipline across all joint assignments and collaborations.

So, relationships with members of other military services are covered by this custom, not just those within the same service. Deployment timing doesn’t change the rule, and it isn’t about both people being officers.