Do ROTC cadets have rank over enlisted personel?

Question

I am in Air Force ROTC and I have several friends and relatives who are or have been enlisted. Do I technically outrank them because I'm in an officer course, or do they still outrank me because I'm not "in" yet?

I am on scholarship, so I'm on contract and from what I understand, that makes me "enlisted" as well.

You don't have to bash me on this, I'm a first year cadet and was just curious.

Answer 1

You do not outrank them until you are actually commissioned. You are also not enlisted, so they don't outrank you either.

On a side note, if you want to keep on the good side of your enlisted friends and family members, don't let the fact that you outrank them once you get a commission go to your head. I've seen many boot ensigns in the Navy that, after about 6 months out of ROTC, OCS, or the Academy, get what we referred to as a "God-complex", meaning that it finally sinks in that they have power over us, and it goes straight to their head.

Answer 2

Air Force Rotc Ranks

Answer 3

Rotc Rank

Answer 4

You are an Officer Cadet-not an officer and actually have no rank as such among the active military. When on duty with the military for training you will be treated respectfully as a cadet and should have the approximate power of a 2LT or ensign. That being said no 2LT or ensign would try to lord it over a senior enlisted or they might learn the hard way that rank, power and influence are not one and the same.

Answer 5

I was a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute, I was told we were ranked right below warrant officer and 2nd lt. and that we had the power to drop enlisted personel on site etc....but we also were taught not to try anything so foolish as that because if we wanted to gain the respect of the enlisted we would have to value them as a resource and not a pawn...I never tried, nor had the desire to, i suggest you do the same until you graduate from whatever school you attend. Although ROTC was not a big part of our education we still valued its lessons....for us it was just another class we had to attend and change from our greys into BDU's for....

Answer 6

Here's a joke we say in the Army:
"What's the diffference between a Private First Class-PFC and a ROTC cadet? A PFC has been promoted twice!"

[Sorry if it was mentioned above-I didn't read all the postings....]
Everyone is correct-you have no rank other than within the ROTC program....

Answer 7

No, as a Cadet or Midshipman you have no rank relative to enlisted personnel... not until the moment of graduation and commissioning.

My lil brother was in the NROTC program while I was a PO3 (E-4), and graduated just after I was frocked to PO2... I was there for his commissioning and was honored to be invited by the unit's Enlisted Staff to give him his first salute. Amusingly, I got MY commission 3 years later and actually made Lieutenant Commander a year ahead of him.

Once we had a midshipman on "summer-cruise" at our squadron berate a PO3 for not saluting him... amusing thing was the Mid was chewing him out while the CMC (Command Master Chief) was walking in from his car.... WOW a beautiful example of cursing without using a single curse word !!

Answer 8

Nope! Not until you get your commission.

If you don't believe me then go jump all over a Chief Master Sergeant - or any NCO for that matter - and see how fast you get your a** kicked.

I had a problem child Second Lieutenant. He was fresh out of Army ROTC. My fellow NCO's and I - including the First Sergeant and Sergeant Major - tried to teach this guy how to be a good leader and listen to the NCO's. But he was more interested in listening to himself bark out orders that no one cared to listen to let alone follow. His favorite line was, "I am a Lieutenant and you are just a Sergeant. You will do what I tell you!" Then he would threaten you with an Article 15.

Needless to say his leadership skills were ZERO!!

The Battalion Commander eventually got sick of him and relieved him. Booted him to some hell hole duty where he couldn't hurt anyone but himself.

Nobody ever saw him again. And no one shed any tears.

Please don't be like this guy. You life will be extremely difficult if you are.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Cheez, Have you taken an Oath? Have you actually been commisioned? Buddy my toe nails have more time in service than you!! And with an obvious rank happy, I'm better than you attitude, you aren't gonna survive long as an officer either. The best officers I have served for, realize the enlisted people that are under them are the back-bone of the military. You better get something straight, and quick. There are 2 types of respect in the military; earned and given. I will give you respect as an officer appointed over me, but you also have to earn mine. With the way you asked that question, when you graduate, you will be an O-1, not a leiutenant. Remeber, you better respect the Airmen and NCo's under you, because we can either make you, or hang you. I have NO problem letting a little egotistical, JEEP @$$ leiutenant hang because he is so rank happy he won't listen to me or my troops. Go ahead, think I'm BS'ing you. You will definitely see once you are commisioned. I have been in 17 years, and you think as a cadet, who hasn't done anything but sleep during class and gone to frat parties you out rank me?? Good luck!! My Fermunda cheese has seen more action than you, budy!!

Answer 10

Dude, you're a college student that's it. Until you graduate from college and actually go to OCS and successfully graduate you are a civilian playing Air Force. Thank you for your committment but the military does not need anymore booter power loving officers so get over yourself, serve your ROTC time honorably, get your stuff squared away and we will see you when you are a little older, wiser and more concerned over important things rather than who's bigger than the other. Right now everyone out ranks you to answer your question.