Final answer:
Sexual harassment in the military context is defined as unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that affects employment, job performance, or creates an intimidating work environment. It includes quid pro quo and hostile environment harassment but does not refer to consensual interactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sexual harassment in a military context can be defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Such harassment is considered sexual harassment when it affects an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
This definition encompasses both quid pro quo harassment, where job benefits are contingent upon sexual favors, and hostile environment harassment, where the work environment is made intimidating or offensive due to sexually-based behavior. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Supreme Court rulings have clarified that such conduct is discriminatory on the basis of sex and barred from workplaces, establishing employers' responsibility for a harassment-free environment. It's important to note that the term does not refer to consensual interaction of a sexual nature between service members, and is strictly related to unwanted and offensive behavior.