Fraternizing.. with old friends?

[ironink71]

I have a semi-important question that I'm hoping some current officers can answer for me. I'll be commissioned in the Army Nurse Corp soon as a 2LT which I'm really excited about. I know (and am fully prepared to follow) the regs about fraternization with enlisted soldiers. However, my question is this.. my best friend that I grew up with is married to an enlisted Army soldier whom I am also very close with. Now that I'm an officer, what's the protocol for our friendship? They're stationed at the same base that my older brother is (also enlisted), so the chances of me seeing them is pretty high. I don't want to give up a long-time friendship and say "sorry I can't hang out with you b/c I'm an officer" but I totally understand the purpose behind the no fraternization rule. What's the proper thing to do?? Thanks!

[caliotter3]

Very little interest is taken about what you do with your off duty time. The rules for fraternization are not as closely followed as they were forty or fifty years ago. It only becomes an issue if there is something flagrantly going on in the direct workplace that has an impact on that particular workplace. Most of the time even a mild office romance is not even a topic of conversation. It is always best, though, to be as discreet as possible in one's behavior, both on and off duty.

[ironink71]

Thanks :)

[hopeful_army_NP]

I also asked that question in the past, here is the link to my thread, hope it all works out well.

https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/my-1st-duty-419599.html