Unprofessional relationships interfere with training, mission success

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Alexis Ayala
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Legal Office
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Pilot training in the Air Force can be a most exciting time for students. They meet lifelong friends and make strong bonds with those involved in training, whether fellow students or instructors.

But there is a line, and that line is crossed when students and instructors share a more personal relationship rather than keeping things professional.

All Air Force personnel are accountable for following the rules about professional and unprofessional relationships.

Students are encouraged to speak with their instructors about goals, performance and personal issues that may interfere with training. This can sometimes be misinterpreted as a personal relationship developing.

To counter such perceptions, instructors, supervisors and commanders must make clear that any personal relationship developing between a member in a position of authority and a trainee or subordinate will not be tolerated.

The new Vance Air Force Base Commander's Policy on Unprofessional Relationships applies to everyone, not just instructor pilots and their students. Unprofessional relationships include those between any trainer and trainee, as well as between officers and enlisted members.

As defined in Air Force Instruction 36-2909, "Professional and Unprofessional Relationships," if a relationship on or off duty detracts from the mission or creates any image of favoritism and misuse of office or position for personal interests, it can be considered and treated as an unprofessional relationship.

An example of an unprofessional relationship can be as obvious as an instructor and student pilot having too much to drink and engaging in sexual relations, or it can be as demure as inappropriate emails, text messages, letters or other forms of communication.

When it comes to unprofessional relationships, members awaiting training, disenrolled from training or currently graduated are still considered students until they transfer to a new station or separate from the military.

It is important to identify unprofessional relationships and deal with them appropriately. The morale and wellness of the unit is jeopardized by unprofessional relationships. It is your duty to report any violation to a supervisor or member of authority.

There are appropriate times and places to socialize with coworkers and fellow members of the military. Socializing is encouraged at events such as dining-ins, dining-outs, holiday parties, assignment nights, intramural sports, community service events and professional clubs.