Posted on Dec 31, 2014
Where is the line drawn regarding online social interactions and off-duty social activities between junior and senior enlisted personnel?
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Soldiers of all ranks meet and associate with each other in many settings, both on and off duty.
Still early in my career, I've become accustomed to viewing my NCO's and higher-ups as my "bosses", "superiors", "managers", and/or "supervisors". I try to maintain professionalism and respect both on and off duty which for the most part includes avoiding interactions online via social media as well as casual outings that may arise.
Where is the line drawn, if any (other than fraternization/close relationships), between junior and senior enlisted military personnel when it comes to *non-professional social networking sites (e.g. Facebook) and non-work related activities (e.g. parties, going to the bar, going out to eat, other social gatherings, etc.)?
I appreciate your responses in advance.
(*Labeling a difference between professional social networking sites [e.g. LinkedIn, Rallypoint] and non-professional sites [Facebook, Instagram, Myspace, etc.])
Still early in my career, I've become accustomed to viewing my NCO's and higher-ups as my "bosses", "superiors", "managers", and/or "supervisors". I try to maintain professionalism and respect both on and off duty which for the most part includes avoiding interactions online via social media as well as casual outings that may arise.
Where is the line drawn, if any (other than fraternization/close relationships), between junior and senior enlisted military personnel when it comes to *non-professional social networking sites (e.g. Facebook) and non-work related activities (e.g. parties, going to the bar, going out to eat, other social gatherings, etc.)?
I appreciate your responses in advance.
(*Labeling a difference between professional social networking sites [e.g. LinkedIn, Rallypoint] and non-professional sites [Facebook, Instagram, Myspace, etc.])
Posted in these groups: 
Professionalism
Social Media
Professionalism Social Media
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 8
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Business is business, don't get business confused with personal and you will be fine.
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1LT (Join to see)
CSM Michael J. Uhlig, well stated, CSM.
I agree completely. I strive to continue to maintain a professional line between work and my personal life. So far, it's kept me on the right path. Thank you again, I appreciate your response, CSM.
Respectfully,
SPC Piega
I agree completely. I strive to continue to maintain a professional line between work and my personal life. So far, it's kept me on the right path. Thank you again, I appreciate your response, CSM.
Respectfully,
SPC Piega
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There are some helpful remarks in this thread (even though the main topic is RC): https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/fraternization-and-the-reserves-where-is-the-line
I disagree with "friending" co-workers on FB. All of my military "friends" are actually friends and I do not currently serve with any of them. My civilian boss kind of manipulated me into "friending" him. A few weeks later, I posted about the thermostat on my stove being broken and wanting to by a new stove and he commented that I certainly had the tech skills to fix it and sent me the documentation...next thing you know, my mom is in it (picture Jewish mom talking about her so smart little girl)...with my boss...I was wishing for death.
I disagree with "friending" co-workers on FB. All of my military "friends" are actually friends and I do not currently serve with any of them. My civilian boss kind of manipulated me into "friending" him. A few weeks later, I posted about the thermostat on my stove being broken and wanting to by a new stove and he commented that I certainly had the tech skills to fix it and sent me the documentation...next thing you know, my mom is in it (picture Jewish mom talking about her so smart little girl)...with my boss...I was wishing for death.
Fraternization and the Reserves - Where is the line? | RallyPoint
This question may very well apply to Active Duty as well, as it leads to some larger ones of, "What actually constitutes fraternization / what is the intent?"However, I address the larger issue to the Reserve components. When a Reserve Servicemember is only "on duty" one weekend a month, can you expect the same fraternization policies? More specifically, what if two people share a civilian work relationship, but also a military reservist one?...
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1LT (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see), thank you for your response, Ma'am!
I very much appreciate the thread you posted! It definitely gave me more insight and different perspectives on the issue!
I can only imagine the discomfort when observing such a conversation unfold, Ma'am! My parents are heavily involved in social media themselves and hopefully I do not encounter a "parent/teacher-conference-like" situation through Facebook...!
Overall, I am trying to continue to maintain a professional line between work and my personal life. Thank you again for your response, Ma'am! I really appreciate it!
Respectfully,
SPC Piega
I very much appreciate the thread you posted! It definitely gave me more insight and different perspectives on the issue!
I can only imagine the discomfort when observing such a conversation unfold, Ma'am! My parents are heavily involved in social media themselves and hopefully I do not encounter a "parent/teacher-conference-like" situation through Facebook...!
Overall, I am trying to continue to maintain a professional line between work and my personal life. Thank you again for your response, Ma'am! I really appreciate it!
Respectfully,
SPC Piega
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I was always told that if a leader does it for one Soldier in their tm/sqd/plt, they do it for all Soldiers in their tm/sqd/plt. So if a sqd leader invites one of his sqd members to a cookout, it's only fair to invite the whole squad even though not all may show up. I for one as a married NCO I always make it point to invite the single Soldiers over for Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner if they aren't planning to go home.
But when leaders let the lines of friend vs. leader become blurred it has crossed the line.
But when leaders let the lines of friend vs. leader become blurred it has crossed the line.
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1LT (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see), Thank you for your response, Sergeant.
I agree that it's important to build strong yet professional bonds with soldiers and that it's fair to invite all for social gatherings. I appreciate that you take the time to look our for your soldiers, as many do.
I appreciate your time and input, Sergeant! Thanks again
Respectfully,
SPC Piega
I agree that it's important to build strong yet professional bonds with soldiers and that it's fair to invite all for social gatherings. I appreciate that you take the time to look our for your soldiers, as many do.
I appreciate your time and input, Sergeant! Thanks again
Respectfully,
SPC Piega
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