Free US Law Dictionary

Fraternization

Fraternization, or "to become like brothers or family members," is a term that carries within it the connotation of impropriety in terms of morals, ethics, social expectations and professionalism. Militaries typically prohibit officers and enlisted ranks from personally associating outside of their professional duties and orders, perhaps to avoid accusations of favouritism, which would challenge military discipline; excessively familiar relationships between officers of different ranks may also be considered fraternization, especially when between officers in the same chain of command; and another reason involves avoidance of spreading military top secrets, a crime that carries legal charges (see United States military law) under treason or sedition in extreme cases.