History Main / InappropriatelyCloseComrades

* In line with the usual tendency to ignore this in ''Franchise/StarTrek'', Kirk's "Captain's Log" segment at the beginning of ''Film/StarTrekBeyond'' discusses overt sexual relationships being formed and split up among the crew as just something that happens on a long space mission. However Captain Kirk, whose [[ReallyGetsAround casual affairs have been emphasized]] in the past two movies, is noticeably devoid of a GirlOfTheWeek.

* ''Disney/{{Zootopia}}'' fanfics vary in regards to the ZPD's attitude towards fraternization. Some writers add an element of drama to [[FanPreferredCouple Nick and Judy's]] relationship by banning romance between officers, others don't have rules keeping them from sleeping together.

* In ''VisualNovel/{{Sunrider}}'', Kayto Shields and Ava Crescentia had a close relationship as high school students. When they meet again eight years later as captain and commander of the Sunrider, Ava refuses any and all attempts by Kayto to reignite their previous relationship, as is it against the rules and she fears that to do so would compromise his judgment. [[spoiler:Her fears can be confirmed during the Battle of Helion if the player refuses to let her manually fire the Sunrider’s damaged [[WaveMotionGun Vanguard Cannon]], sacrificing their one chance to finally destroy the PACT flagship Legion because the risk to her life is more than Kayto can bear.]]

Many highly regimented organisations, particularly militaries, have rules against their members having intimate relationships with each other (especially if they're both in the same chain of command). The rule-makers tend to feel that such relationships negatively affect the performance of their personnel (because BeingPersonalIsntProfessional), and are worried that it can give rise to favouritism (if someone's SleepingWithTheBoss).

* ''Disney/{{Zootopia}}'' fanfics vary in regards to the ZPD's attitude towards fraternization. Some writers add an element of drama to Nick and Judy's relationship by banning romance between officers, others don't have rules keeping them from sleeping together.

* ''Series/StargateSG1'' has the relationship between Jack and Sam being inhibited by the rules: they've admitted to their mutual attraction on-screen but chose to keep it professional. WordOfGod has it that they got together when Jack was [[PutOnABus promoted out of the main cast]] after "Threads", which took him out of Sam's direct chain of command.

* In ''Fanfic/ToTheStars'', the military has regulations in place to avert this, necessitating that magical girls be in reasonably separate commands if they are in a relationship. In one instance in a flashback however, a particularly brutal YouAreInCommandNow situation leaves Asuka forced to have her lover's unit to perform a HeroicSacrifice to buy the rest of her forces time to regroup. This necessity causes her to suffer a near-fatal HeroicBSOD.

** Cain is also aware of a less-than-regular relationship between [[PsychoLesbian Corporal Magot]] and Sergeant Grifen, but chooses to stay well out of it, since he prefers to avoid being as much like harsher commissars (who tend to die of friendly fire far from enemy lines) as possible.
** In "Traitor's Hand", Cain notes that Beije probably suspects that he's in this relationship with her, because he's being lenient with her (to avoid damaging the morale of her squad[[note]]And possibly a bit of favouritism since said squad's saved his life several times.[[/note]]). He notes that even if she wasn't a lesbian, he already has enough dangerous women in his life (a clingy planetary governor's daughter, a daemon princess, and the aforementioned Inquisitor, who chooses to take it as a compliment).

* In ''Literature/AngelInTheWhirlwind'', Captain Kat Falcone and SpaceMarine Major Pat Davidson were in a relationship on a previous assignment together but broke up when they were reassigned to different ships. They get back together after he's assigned to be the commander of her shipboard Marine complement, essentially saying "screw it, we're in love and we could both die tomorrow".

* Occurs in ''Series/BattlestarGalactica2003'', where fraternization in the military is frowned on. Tyrol and Boomer are an example of a couple who keep quiet about their relationship because of it. Tigh later informs them that the two of them are an OpenSecret anyway.

* ''Series/StargateSG1'' has the relationship between Jack and Sam being inhibited by the rules, although after a point it's implied that they might just be being subtle about it.

* In the ''Literature/HonorHarrington'' books, the Manticoran navy has rules against fraternization in the same chain of command, which is one of several reasons that [[spoiler:Honor's relationship with Hamish Alexander (her superior officer)]] is kept secret. This problem is resolved when the latter is made First Lord of the Admiralty, which is a civilian role despite its military focus. One of the earlier books mentions, though, that the RMN is a lot less strict about fraternization than the Earth militaries that preceded it, recognizing [[RealityEnsues the realities of cooping up mixed-gender crews with no shore leave for weeks or months at a stretch]] (the commanding officer is apparently the only one seriously inconvenienced by the rules).
** The general rule seems to be no fraternization with someone who is in your direct chain of command and no fraternization between Officers and Enlisted.

** In "Traitor's Hand", Cain notes that Beije probably suspects that he's in this relationship with her, because he's being lenient with her (to avoid damaging the morale of her squad[[note]]And possibly a bit of favouritism since said squad's save his life several times.[[/note]]). He notes that even if she wasn't a lesbian, he already has enough dangerous women in his life (a clingy planetary governor's daughter, a daemon princess, and the aforementioned Inquisitor, who chooses to take it as a compliment).
* In ''Literature/RangersAtRoadsend'' it is mentioned that relationships between Militiawomen are prohibited, but also that this is not very strictly enforced as long as it's not affecting their professional behaviour while on duty. [[spoiler: Katryn gives such a relationship as the reason why she has been transferred to Fort Krowe.]]

-->'''Capt. Butch Flowers:''' Men, your delightful tomfoolery puts a spring in my step and a bounce in my britches. If I weren't your Commanding Officer, I'd pick you both up, give you a big bear hug and make you call me "Daddy".
-->'''Church:''' Uhh... Thank God for the Chain of Command?

* Occurs in ''Series/BattlestarGalactica2003'', where fraternisation in the military is frowned on. Tyrol and Boomer are an example of a couple who keep quiet about their relationship because of it. Tigh later informs them that the two of them are an OpenSecret anyway.

** In the ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' episode "Change of Heart", Worf and Jadzia (a married couple) are sent on a mission together in wartime, and he abandons it completely to save her life.

* In line with the usual tendency to this in ''Franchise/StarTrek'', Kirk's "Captain's Log" segment at the beginning of ''Film/StarTrekBeyond'' discusses overt sexual relationships being formed and split up among the crew as just something that happens on a long space mission. However Captain Kirk, whose [[ReallyGetsAround casual affairs have been emphasized]] in the past two movies, is noticeably devoid of a GirlOfTheWeek.

* Any inhibition about sexual relationships within the military is usually [[FreeLoveFuture completely thrown out of the window]] in ''Franchise/StarTrek''. One of the very few occasions where the potential pitfalls were discussed was in the ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' episode "Change of Heart", when Worf and Jadzia (a married couple) are sent on a mission together in wartime, and he abandons it completely to save her life.

* In line with the usual tendency to this in ''Franchise/StarTrek'', Kirk's "Captain's Log" segment at the beginning of ''Film/StarTrekBeyond'' discusses overt sexual relationships being formed and split up among the crew as just something that happens on a long space mission.

* Any inhibition about sexual relationships within the military is usually completely thrown out of the window in ''Franchise/StarTrek''. One of the very few occasions where the potential pitfalls were discussed was in the ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' episode "Change of Heart", when Worf and Jadzia (a married couple) are sent on a mission together in wartime, and he abandons it completely to save her life.

[[folder:Fan Fiction]]

* In the ''Literature/HonorHarrington'' books, the Manticoran navy has rules against fraternization in the same chain of command, which is one of several reasons that [[spoiler:Honor's relationship with Hamish Alexander (her superior officer)]] is kept secret. This problem is resolved when the latter is made First Lord of the Admiralty, which is a civilian role despite its military focus.

* Arises more than once in ''Series/{{JAG}}'':
** In the [[Recap/JAGS01E0102ANewBeginning pilot]], a regulation-breaking relationship was being concealed between [[spoiler:Lieutenant Arutti (the murder victim) and someone in the same unit]].
** In the first season episode [[Recap/JAGS01E10Boot "Boot"]], Harm and Meg are investigating a marine's murder, and there's more than one person obviously keeping secrets. It turns out that [[spoiler:Sergeant Gonzales is in a relationship with the base commander, but that this is independent of the murder]]. Harm decides, conditionally, not to report it.

** Later on in that game, [[spoiler:that situation can cease to be hypothetical, although it's not Ashley making the choice but players. Either Ashley or another crew member, Kaidan Alenko, must be left to die, and players may indeed be in a relationship with one of them when it happens]].

* Occurs in ''Series/BattlestarGalactica2003'', where fraternisation in the military is frowned on. Tyrol and Boomer are an example of a couple who keep quiet about their relationship because of it.

Rules like this are pretty standard in military organizations, unless they're only MildlyMilitary or the writers are using [[ArtisticLicenseMilitary Artistic License regarding military matters]]. (The relevant military word is [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraternization fraternization]], although that term encompasses other things as well). Non-military organizations which employ similar levels of discipline can also have this kind of rule. For relationships between people in less tightly controlled workplaces, which aren't necessarily prohibited, see OfficeRomance. If holding a certain job requires that you forego ''all'' relationships (not just with colleagues), see VowOfCelibacy.

* This is generally completely thrown out of the window in ''Franchise/StarTrek''. One of the very few occasions where the potential pitfalls were discussed was in the ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' episode "Change of Heart", when Worf and Jadzia (a married couple) are sent on a mission together in wartime, and he abandons it completely to save her life.

** Cain is also aware of a less-than-regular relationship between a PsychoLesbian and her sergeant in the regiment, but chooses to stay well out of it as he already has enough dangerous women in his life (a clingy planetary governor's daughter, a daemon princess, and the aforementioned Inquisitor, who chooses to take it as a compliment).

* The titular character of the ''Literature/PaulSinclair'' books gets early advice from a shipmate never to break the navy's rules against relationships between crew on the same ship, since it's impossible to keep something like that secret in the cramped conditions on board. [[spoiler:In fact, the two end up breaking those rules themselves]], although not too severely — an upcoming transfer is about to make the relationship permissible, and they just get started slightly early (and not on the ship itself). The ship's executive officer figures it out anyway, but is prepared to let it slide.

* CiaphasCain:

* ''Series/{{Andromeda}}'' features rules like these — including, apparently, [[{{Robosexual}} for warship AIs]].

** In the [[VideoGame/MassEffect first game]], you can read an email from Ashley Williams to her sister in which she describes the problem:

** In the [[VideoGame/MassEffect3 third game]], the rules about fraternization can be invoked for once — by [[spoiler:Shepard's clone against Samantha Traynor, with whom Shepard may be having a relationship]].

* However, it certainly wasn't the case in Ancient Greece, where it was virtually a prerequisite of acceptance into a military unit to sign up alongside one's (male) lover. The Sacred Band of Thebes, an elite fighting group, was actually composed of 150 pairs of male lovers. ([[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Band_of_Thebes Other Wiki]]). The idea was that each pair consisted of an older erastês (ἐραστής, "lover") and a younger erômenos (ἐρώμενος, "beloved"). This idea was taken up by other Greek cities including Sparta and Athens.