Posted on Feb 20, 2014
What is your opinion on the use of the term "Lower Enlisted" Soldiers?
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<p>I have been in the Army for 25 years now. I hear this term loosely thrown around by Officers and NCOs. Back in the day, when I was an E-I owe you 1, I didn't think much of it. In fact, I don't think I even heard that term used in front of me. Are our leaders less aware of the audience that is listening, or am I off track here?</p><p> </p><p>Now as a senior NCO, I often politely ask for a word, when I hear a junior Officer or NCO using it around junior Soldiers. I never hear the word lower Officer used, and I feel that our junior Enlisted Soldiers may feel that this term is demeaning. Most junior Officers and NCOs that I talk to don't even think a second thought about using it until I mention it. Just my opinion, but I think our junior enlisted Soldiers deserve better. Nobody has argued against my point when I bring it up. Please let me know if I am out of whack with the modern day Army.</p>
Posted in these groups: 
Soldiers
Junior Enlisted
Soldiers Junior Enlisted
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 104
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MSG Kepler,<div><br></div><div>I appreciate your concern for the junior enlisted soldiers. However, controversies like these regarding semantics remind me of other new politically correct terms that are supposed to benefit the recipient, but don't.</div><div><br></div><div>For example, I am no longer Indian or American Indian. I am now a "Native American", in spite of the fact that most of us continue to call each other Indian. I'm also told that I should be offended because the Cleveland Indians and Marquette Warriors chose to name their teams after my heritage. I'm honored that sports teams want to use our likeness, so who benefits from this change... Indians like me, or non-Indians who feel they have something to prove? </div><div><br></div><div>If the junior enlisted don't mind being called lower enlisted, as they have been called for ages, why must we change? As long as the intent behind a person's terminology is not disrespectful, I don't see the problem.</div>
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SPC Anthony Caliguiri
I've been in twice, the first time a tanker and I've been called everything under the sun, big deal, drive on. You have to have thick skin in the military, all the PC bullshit is way out of hand, you can't sing this cadence or that cadence. Suck it up and deal with it, we train to fight wars and kill people not try to placate the enemy.
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SGT Tj Casiano
It's not a matter of semantics or political correctness challenge anyone going to the NCO board to answer the question "What is the general term used to refer to soldiers E-1 to E-4" by saying "Lower Enlisted," and expect not to get marked down for it. To be honest, when I was a junior enlisted Soldier in the army oh, I didn't mind being called Lower enlisted either, until I became an NCO, and knew better. That's the whole point.
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I didn't bother me to much when I was lower enlisted, I think if they are offended by that, they won't be able to handle other more stressful situations.
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LCpl Mark Lefler
No, not true.. not liking one thing has nothing to do with ones ability to deal with a different situation. Your way over simplifying it... so no, the head hit your finger not the nail.
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SSG (Join to see)
This is the military. Nobody cares what anyone likes. We need people that are offended by something so small as this to toughen up before their lives of other lives are in their hands.
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Demeaning? Come on now, let get off this "everything is demeaning" kick. Then maybe we should stop using the phrase "senior enlisted" also because that might be demeaning to the "lower" enlisted. If thats the case, get rid of the term "leg" also.
If this is what the we are worried about, we are going to be in for some serious trouble in the future.
And yes, I was part of that lower enlisted group "back in the day".
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MAJ (Join to see)
MSgt Devon Saunders - My type of leadership? Have you ever served under my leadership? Do you even know what type of leader I am? Obviously not but you'll make comments about my leadership forcing people out?
No, I don't have to adapt to the people in my company, they have to adapt to me. Mission accomplishment is my first priority, not winning a popularity contest among the ranks.
On that note, I'm just quaking by your last comment (note sarcasm).
No, I don't have to adapt to the people in my company, they have to adapt to me. Mission accomplishment is my first priority, not winning a popularity contest among the ranks.
On that note, I'm just quaking by your last comment (note sarcasm).
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MSgt Devon Saunders
Yes. YOU'RE type of leadership Sir!! I haven't served under you obviously because I served my time in the Air Force. In my 21 years that I served I have dealt with your style of leadership and yes, it has caused people to say they hell with this and separate before they were ready or punch out at 20. I never said forcing people out so please do not twist my words. A One Star once told me, "MSgt, a good leader leads from the front and adapts to the situation and his people in order to accomplish the mission. Like I stated, glad I didn't have to serve under someone with your train of thought. I'm happily retired and have no complaints about it. NOTE: No sarcasm returned. It's childish.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Like I said, you don't even know what type of leader I am. Thankfully you haven't had to serve in an infantry company.
By the way, it's your.
By the way, it's your.
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A1C Alvin Quackenbush
SSG (Join to see) - I am veteran was Aircrew Tactical Survival Technician Life Support. I did refuse a unlawful dangerous order by my Commander. He took it personally that I refused I tried to compromise with but found out I was not only one who thought it was unlawful dangerous order. It is give and take he gave me orders that ruined my life for life but did it with head held proud I stood my ground. If could redo that I would had him court martialed for unprofessional misconduct becoming on officer. All need accountability for actions
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