Fraternization

[lightning_strike]

I pose a question for everyone who is in the military on the community, or knows people who were in it and/or in a situation where the genders are segregated for the sake of work.

What do you think of fraternization while on duty? Does it work out for you? Or are you in a situation where it's not worrisome to talk to the others? I ask this because Commander Minna recently lifted the order to keep the mechanics from talking with the Witches. I can't say I blame her for her reasons, but is something like this a problem in other worlds?

Comments

[powerofpink]

Well, we don't separate men and women in either the GSA or among the Rangers, but I don't see why it would be such a problem. As long as both involved can keep their minds on work, it shouldn't be any different than them having relationships outside of work.

[lightning_strike]

It's a bit of a change for us. Commander Minna wanted to spare everyone the pain of loss, as she lost her fiance during the war. But the Witches are very reliant on the men and now women working on our Strikers.

I suppose it doesn't change too much, except it seems my unit is full of women who prefer the company of other women.

[powerofpink]

But after the war, you're just going to have to learn how to work with both genders anyway. If you can figure it out in a crisis, you shouldn't have a problem in peace.

[lightning_strike]

You have a point. And the situation seems to have been resolved. After all, the men make up the bulk of the war effort anyhow.

[powerofpink]

Well, at least things are going smoothly.

[lightning_strike]

They are. I just wanted to know what other people's opinions on this was like. There's a lot of divide but it's getting better now.

[powerofpink]

It's always hard at first, but it's important to learn to work together.

[lightning_strike]

This is true. I'm just glad the transition is becoming a smooth one.

[powerofpink]

Well, it's supposed to be. After all, you're all mature.

[embersandashes]

You know my thoughts on this.

[lightning_strike]

This is true. You did come from a world with a similar enlistment age as mine even if it is different in nature.

[embersandashes]

I don't see anything wrong with not segregating men from the women-- we never did, in the Fire Nation-- but you don't have to allow fraternization to do that.

[lightning_strike]

That's true. It's just that we were encouraged to keep a professional distance from the male staff. It was Commander Minna's stance on the matter, to keep us from worrying about the staff on the sea or land when we took to the air.

[embersandashes]

You should keep a professional distance from everyone you work with.

[lightning_strike]

I do, personally at least. Even if I do want a relationship most of my wingmates are close to one another.

[embersandashes]

And that's fine, but on duty, it needs to be strictly business. Nothing more.

[lightning_strike]

This is very true. Well, I don't see the squad getting in too close while on duty. Off duty well of course you know the details on that but I don't think Commander Minna has anything to worry about.

[elloran]

Obviously there should be a limit to how 'fraternization' should go. While ones duties do require a fair amount of interaction, no matter one's position, it is important to remember one's station and avoid too much contact with those beneath you.

Though I don't see why gender rather than Clan would have anything to do with it.

[lightning_strike]

You're right about that, though there's no one actually under our station this time as it were. Not anymore. It's more to the point of keeping us from dealing with things that our leader believed we were unsuited for if it ever happened.

[elloran]

Unsuited for? Could you give me an example?

[lightning_strike]

Romantic interests going in a bad direction if one of us were forced to leave another during battle. That's what happened to our Commander. And her fiance died when the base exploded.

[elloran]

Ah. I see. That is why my people use children for soldiers rather than adults. Romance rarely gets in the way of battle then.

[lightning_strike]

She was sixteen I believe when it happened. The age of marriage is lower in our world.

[elloran]

The age varies rather extensively on my worlds, but it is common practice for warriors to be restricted from attachments. I see now why.

[lightning_strike]

We have no such restrictions unless it is on duty. And the situation varies between groups.