"For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another]." (Rom. 2:11)
Navy Times article on USS James E. Williams fraternization
"Such a large number of fraternization cases in one command is a clear indication of a leadership failure," stated Adm. J. C. Harvey, Jr., commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. "This leadership failure fostered a command climate that allowed the fraternization to occur. The responsibility of the commanding officer for his or her command is absolute. It is our tradition that with responsibility goes authority and with them both goes accountability. This accountability is not for the intentions, but for the deed. Nobody trusts or has confidence in leaders who believe they cannot be held accountable for what they do. And when confidence and trust are lost in those who lead, we fail. The James E. Williams' commanding officer and command master chief are being held accountable for the fraternization that occurred on their watch."
What are your thoughts on frat? What would you have done different (depending on what level of leadership you are at)? Are many of the tenants of Christ-like leadership counter to military anti-frat policy? Is there an increased risk/danger for the Christian leader to fraternize? I hope to hear from you.
Fraternization in the sense of flirting between an officer and enlisted, in my opinion, is wrong, because of the fact that it almost always results in special treatment and favors to said enlisted by the officer. This can to a lesser extent, also possibly occur when "befriending" an enlisted person, and I can see why they have such a policy.
ReplyDeleteI believe Adm. Harvey was correct in punishing the CO and the CMC because they let it happen and as leaders you must not tolerate disobedience of the rules, yet they did, so they are also at fault. I would have done the same thing, but also make sure that the leaders knew that the frat was going on.
As far as Christ-like leadership vs. mil anti-frat, I don't think they counter too much because anti-frat is meant to be towards not allowing special favors or not treating everyone equally because a personal relationship gets in the way. You can still be a Christ-like leader by caring for all your men/women equally.
As such, I don't beleive there is an increased danger to fraternize if you are a Christian leader as you should have a greater devotion to obeying your superiors and rules because of your faith and the fact that you are working for God, not man.
Thanks for wriiting
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