Can a NCO give orders to superior officers?

Question

I once saw a movie called G.I. Jane, where a NCO trained and gave order to officers who were on a SEAL course.
Is this posible?

Answer 1

Normally no. But, there is this little thing called "Rank by position". When I was SF, I pulled a vehicle over for suspected DWI. The driver was a Major, and guess what. I gave him a BUNCH of direct orders. It all depends on the situation. Obviously, in any training environment, the Instructor is the top dog, rank or not.

Answer 2

Out-right, orders only go down the ranks.
However, by watch station you can see this, outside the training environment. On a submarine the Diving Officer of the Watch (DOOW) control the Chief of the Watch (COW). I am qualified DOOW and do order the COW who at times may be an Officer to do certain things. You can find many example of this.

Other things not being an order, but an instruction or Strong recommendation you will also see.

Also just because an individual is an Officer and has control of watchstations, the subordinate watchstation does not necessarily have to obey his orders (which by default makes it an unlawful order). (Submarine Examples)An example of this is for the Officer of the Deck (OOD) ordering the Sonar Supervisor (Watch I stand) to change my line-up. If I feel it is not safe (Safety of ship), or inhibits my search, I do not obey it. This goes with the Quartermaster (navigate the boat) as well very few others. When this happens (very rare to happen, generally it is worked through by discussion) the Commanding Officer makes the call. I have done this a few times and won each one. Generally for subs as a rule of thumb, if the CO qualifies you the watch, only the CO can forcefully order you to do something you do not wish to do.

Answer 3

for certain training yes. When you are on a range or something and NCOs are in charge then yes they can give orders to officers. there is a thing called spur rides in the army. Its a long hard training exercise and NCOs are mainly in charge. During that time they have total control even over officers.

Answer 4

when in the case if navy seal training then ncos can give orders

Answer 5

As others have said, yes it happens in training environments. Otherwise no, however that NCO is free to offer...suggestions...so those officers.

Answer 6

Officers on a course are "students" for the period of a course.
They are expected to obey the instructions given, the instructions given will at all times be given in a smart soldier-like manner.

Answer 7

yes, i am a cop i the air force and i am only an E-3.... pretty low on the rank list. But it doesn't matter who i come across committing some wrong doing. I am a cop. we have a little saying..... Don't confuse your rank with my authority.

Answer 8

If the NCO is the instructor for the class you bet, in this case he/she is the boss of the students regardless of their rank.

Answer 9

Happens in air assault school, airborne school and many others all the time. Most lower ranking officers are nothing really more than a private anyhow. LOL.

Answer 10

Yes, in a training environment it happens sometimes.