3-8 discipline, readiness, and military effectiveness. CMEO aids in achieving these goals. Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment is a type of sex discrimination. Like all discrimination, it is prohibited. It violates the standards of honesty, integrity, and impartiality required of  all  DON  personnel.  All  Navy  personnel  have  a responsibility to maintain a working environment free of sexual harassment. Additionally, off-duty behaviors that affect the military workplace may be considered to be sexual harassment. SECNAVINST 5300.26C defines sexual harassment as follows: “A form of sex discrimination that involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: a. Submission  to  such  conduct  is  made  either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person’s job, pay, or career; or, b. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by a person is used as a basis for career or employment decisions affecting that person; or, c.  Such  conduct  has  the  purpose  or  effect  of unreasonably  interfering  with  an  individual’s  work performance  or  creates  an  intimidating,  hostile,  or offensive working environment.” Leaders must set the example in treating all people with dignity and respect. Sexual harassment in any form must not be ignored or condoned. Individuals who believe they have been sexually harassed should be encouraged to address their concerns or objections. Additionally, the recipients of sexual harassment must be assured that they also subsequently will not be the victims   of   reprisal   or   retaliation.   Leaders   and supervisors must foster a positive climate and take appropriate corrective action when conduct is disruptive, provoking, discriminatory, or otherwise unprofessional. All   DON   personnel,   military   and   civilian,   are accountable for their actions and are responsible for treating others with dignity and respect. Fraternization The Navy historically has relied upon custom and tradition to define the bounds of acceptable personal relationships among its members. The Navy always encourages proper social interaction among officer and enlisted members. Unduly familiar personal relationships between officer and enlisted members traditionally have been contrary to naval custom. Such relationships undermine the respect for authority that is essential to the Navy’s ability to accomplish its military mission. Naval custom prevents personnel from using a senior grade or position to show (or give the impression of showing) favoritism or preferential treatment or for personal  gain.  It  also  helps  prevent  officers  from becoming involved in other actions that undermine good order, discipline, authority, or unit morale. In a like manner, custom requires that junior personnel recognize and respect the authority inherent in a senior’s grade, rank, or position. Fraternization  is  the  traditional  term  used  to identify personal relationships that cross  the  usual bounds of acceptable senior-subordinate relationships. Although its common application applies to the officer- enlisted   relationship,   fraternization   also   includes improper relationships between senior and junior officer members  and  between  senior  and  junior  enlisted personnel. Fraternization is punishable as an offense under the UCMJ when it is prejudicial to good order and discipline or brings discredit to the naval service. This manual cannot cite every act that may be prejudicial to good order and  discipline  or  is  service  discrediting;  the circumstances often have more to do with making the act criminal   than   the   act   itself.   However,   dating, cohabitation, or sexual intimacy between officers and enlisted members is clearly inappropriate. A private business  partnership  between  officers  and  enlisted persons also is inappropriate. Likewise, such conduct between officers and between enlisted members in which a senior-subordinate supervisory relationship exists is equally inappropriate. Conduct that is fraternization is not excused by a later marriage between the offending parties. The  responsibility  for  preventing  inappropriate relationships rests primarily on the senior member. The Navy expects the senior party to control and prevent the development    of    inappropriate    senior-subordinate relationships. However, since the Navy’s fraternization policy applies to both members, both are accountable for their own conduct.