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.