I know the guidelines of how military discipline and traditions work...that non-com's are lower in rank than junior officers....but how do junior officers really treat chief petty officers and sergeant majors? Is there a level of reverence for their rank or their age?
Any thoughts?
2006-12-23 22:19:11 · 6 answers · asked by Greg 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Junior officers do outrank them, but they respect the senior staff nco's for their leadership and knowledge. Most lieutenants don't know their *ss from a hole in the ground when they get out of school. Its up to the enlisted to take them under their wing and teach them the things they need to know. Its kind of a win win situation for everyone, if the officer respects the enlisted, they teach him to be a great officer, and the enlisted benefit by having a competent leader who'll stand up for them and fight alongside them.
2006-12-23 22:47:51 · answer #1 · answered by Marine08 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This may not really be an answer to the question, but it made me think of one of my favorite "deleted scenes" from a DVD extras section. It's from the movie "We Were Soldiers".
The movie takes place in the early years of the Viet Nam war. A very fresh-faced Officer was taking command of a platoon. He couldn't have been more than 22, and was overcompensating for his inexperience by being a real hardcase. He looked as much frightened as he did stern. The enlisted men included some who were obviously older than the young man. One gave an air of being extremely "seasoned". He looked to be about 30, hard as nails, and had a long scar extending down one whole side of his face.
The new Officer called everyone to attention, and barked that everyone was to go to their barracks and return with all their medals on. The man with the scar returned without any medals on, and the new Officer flipped out a little on him, and told him he was to go back and return wearing his medals. The scarred man returned, wearing not a stitch of clothing but his boots, his cover, and his Congressional Medal of Honor. The young Officer snapped to attention and saluted as if his life depended on it.
Granted, it was the medal he was saluting, not the man, but it's kind of an example of how experience sometimes trumps rank.
2006-12-24 06:43:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you are a LCDR or lower, you need to listen to what I'm telling you on some things. I would reasonably discuss issues with you. If you crossed me, I would either pull you aside and let you know where we stand or offer you some training. If you tried to usurp my authority, I would pull the largest fraternity organization together to ensure your demise. I'm not always right, but I have a power-base much greater than you to draw from. It is this power-base that ensures the Navy runs smoothly and you gain monumental amounts of knowledge to use when you become a senior officer. I can help you to be great. If you think you are the "man" with those bars and you have it all figured out, I will be the pallbearer on the front when you are taken ashore. Be strong, be safe, and utilize the wealth of knowledge you have around you. Good Luck.
2006-12-24 08:40:01 · answer #3 · answered by spag 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Junior officers usually have to learn that the senior NCO's are the bedrock of getting anything done in the service.
2006-12-24 06:22:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There better be.
Those stripes came with a lifetime of experience .
If a junior officer wants to put his head on the chopping block, all he has to do is piss off his units senior NCO's .
2006-12-24 08:42:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Very well, because senior NCOI's are the "backbone" of the armed forces, and they make the officers look good to their superiors.
2006-12-24 07:08:05 · answer #6 · answered by WC 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋