Which statement best summarizes the overall prohibition on relationships between different ranks?

Which statement best summarizes the overall prohibition on relationships between different ranks?

• A. All relationships between officers and enlisted are prohibited
• B. Only relationships involving money are prohibited
• C. Relationships are prohibited if they compromise duty, fairness, or mission; exceptions exist by regulation
• D. There are no prohibitions

Answer: (C)

In AR 600-20, the focus is on keeping good order and discipline, fairness, and mission readiness when it comes to relationships between officers and enlisted. The best answer reflects that relationships are prohibited when they compromise duty, fairness, or the unit’s mission, and that there are exceptions by regulation. This captures the practical balance: not every relationship is forbidden, but any that could create bias, coercion, or perceptions of favoritism is off limits, with the regulation providing specific conditions under which some relationships may be permissible. The other options are too absolute or irrelevant—banning all such relationships ignores regulatory allowances, focusing only on money misses the wider standards, and saying there are no prohibitions is simply incorrect.

In AR 600-20, the focus is on keeping good order and discipline, fairness, and mission readiness when it comes to relationships between officers and enlisted. The best answer reflects that relationships are prohibited when they compromise duty, fairness, or the unit’s mission, and that there are exceptions by regulation. This captures the practical balance: not every relationship is forbidden, but any that could create bias, coercion, or perceptions of favoritism is off limits, with the regulation providing specific conditions under which some relationships may be permissible. The other options are too absolute or irrelevant—banning all such relationships ignores regulatory allowances, focusing only on money misses the wider standards, and saying there are no prohibitions is simply incorrect.