SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

How many steps is an e5 away from a 2nd lt.?

They aren't really steps away so much as on a completely different ladder. There are rules against fraternization up and down ranks but also against enlisted and officers and in that case rank doesn't enter into it. This is not like sexual harassment in the civilian world. He can and will get some blowback on this as well if reported. I am not suggesting that he shouldn't be reported. Just make sure you know what can happen. He might never see E-6 because of this.

Honestly though this LT doesn't really need to be in her job at all. This is showing very bad judgement on her part as I know that she has been told this sort of relationship, even if it hasn't been physical, is wrong.

They aren't really steps away so much as on a completely different ladder. There are rules against fraternization up and down ranks but also against enlisted and officers and in that case rank doesn't enter into it.

Ok, I just asked my fch about this again. He was not clear about this so many years ago when he first explained it to me. He said it was basically one rank up and one tank down. He didn't explain that there was a demarcation between enlisted and officer. Now, he's actually saying that, technically, you aren't supposed to be friends with anyone outside your rank. He can go to a social function with other ranks, but he can't be friends with a Major or a Colonel within in the same branch of the military. Since he's in the Marine Corps, he can be friends with enlisted personnel in the Army since they wouldn't ever be under his command.

He still says that the officer would be the one held accountable in such a situation.

He still says that the officer would be the one held accountable in such a situation.

Definitely the officer will pay a higher price but like I said there will be blowback on the E-5.

I promise you he won't leave the situation unscathed.

Speaking as a former Army Officer, the Army is all about the chain of command. An officer can date even marry an enlisted soldier as long as they are not or will not have the possibility of being in their chain of command. I know many officers that are married to enlisted soldiers. In a situation like your husbands, rarely is the officer arrested or even charged for violating the UCMJ. In most cases the officer is brought in and given the opportunity to resign their commission and be separated from the service. Depending on their source of commission and time in service, they may or may not have to pay the government back for their education. If the officer says they don't want to resign, 99% of the time they will receive their next officer evaluation report which will have a few phrases in it that will ensure that they will never be promoted again. Something like "Lieutenant Blknight is a good officer, however he at times lacks judgement and that limits his ability to make decisions." A statement like that will end an officers career without telling the world what he did. Unfortunately the same things happen to enlisted soldiers as well. Especially as an NCO. While your husband may not be punished directly, he will more than likely have a few comments on his non commissioned officers evaluation report that will cast doubt about his decision making abilities.

The problem your husband could have had, is that this Lieutenant would be writing that evaluation. If she didn't like the things he was doing, she could pretty much ruin his career and it would be up to him to prove otherwise.

The last thing I will add. Soldiers aren't stupid. I guarantee you that people know about and have talked about their relationship.