Do cadets actually outrank non-commissioned officers?

I had a Spc who was under me in AFG. Now he’s a 2LT in the other Company. We share a mutual respect.

I ETS’d (active duty, infantry) as an E-5. When I was in college I was recruited and joined ROTC. When I was sent to an infantry reserve unit I had enlisted and NCO’s calling me everything from sir, to Mr to hey you. It never bothered me because I knew the deal. I did not wear anything on my uniform except the usual patches and my silly cadet tank. I was treated well because, although I knew as much as most E-6’s and below, I let them do their jobs and learned from the Lt I was with. A yr later I decided on different career goals, quit ROTC and joined the same reserve unit. I showed up to my first drill with E-5 tank, jump wings, and an EIB badge. They knew I was prior service but we’re still surprised. I was treated great and had immediate respect, in part due to the way I acted as a cadet. The cadets are in units to learn, and those that act as if they are somebody usually get put in their place by an NCO or a good company commander.

Funny story. I was acting as a PSG at 2/75 (PSG was at ANCOC) and we got a rare CTLT cadet from West Point. This guy wanted to be an Armor Officer in Europe so they sent him to a Ranger BN in WA state. *shrug* It's the Army what'd you expect?

Anyway, we did an Air Mobile insertion with a 5k movement into a WMD interdiction raid. MOPP suits worn during the raid and of course a MOPP 4 march to the Oz. It sucked, and the kid was completely lost as a PL. Not his fault, he's a college student not an Infantry Officer much less an Officer with the experience required to be selected into the Regiment.

Anyway we're cleaning weapons and equipment and he walks into the office and asks "SGT, who do I give my weapon to?" I said "Once it's clean take it to the arms room." he says "Right, who do I give it to for cleaning?"

I don't know what the look on my face was but his face got kinda pale and I had an epiphany that prepared me for when it was my time to actually take a platoon. I told him to shut the door and have a seat. We talked about setting the example and never giving work to your men unless you absolutely have to. It was as much a learning experience for me as it was for him.

technically yes...but that will probably not end well...if I personally saw a cadet insisting he/she outrank a senior NCO, I will probably put the cadet in his/her place. I would never do that as a cadet...

a E5 maybe its ok, but E7 above....ha....will not end well...

I think it really comes down to experience and deployments/positions...a 2LT from ROTC simply do not have either (unless prior enlisted) therefore will never deserve the same respect till they earn it, hence why a prior service going to ROTC will at least "actually understand what the army life is all about' but would also depends on experience...A E5 with 2 deployments versus a SPC with no deployment both in ROTC, wont be the same.

Respect is to be earned, simple as that, rank isn't everything, maybe in pay and resume, but not in respect, even a junior NCO, but with deployments or critical assignments, in my eyes, deserves more respect than a newly commissioned 2LT.

I think it is important for a lot of 2LTs to realize this...ROTC is not at all hard compare to some of the things deployed soldiers have to face, it is not all about the rank, but to at least give the respect to those with more time in service and deployments is simply a soldier thing to do...such attitude will probably get you more cooperation and respect from the senior NCOs you have to work with as well. Commissioning, though comes with its own hardship, is a choice, not something to use to look down on others for. Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown...that officer rank indicate that you might need to humble yourself more to learn, influence and lead, especially early in career. Learn from the senior, influence by being among them, and lead by giving respect.

As a former midshipman and a former Navy NCO, I can tell you both sides of the coin. I never once attempted to outrank any NCO, or seaman for that matter. I received extra privilege as a MSM, but never flaunted it as ranking me higher.

All in all, respect is where you get rank as a MSM. If you respected NCOs....they were more prone to give you rank. If your ego went unchecked, expect to get put on 'mail buoy watch', 'mast lowering detail', or get asked to 'fetch a pail of steam' from the boiler operators.

Just my personal experience.....and I've been on given and received.

Out rank...yes. In a position of higher authority....no. I don't get all the salty NCO crap. (especially the "cadidiot" type of stuff) To some 19-20 year old, on their first look at military life outside of the academy/college, all it does is reinforce the sterotypes of NCOs are @$$holes and enlisted are not to be trusted. I always treated the midshipmen like I was training a future boss...because, like it or not, I was. When that "kid" returns to the fleet, do I want him to trust his enlisted leaders or treat us with contempt?

Hahahahaha I would just ask when did you get your commission? Ohhh that’s what I thought!

Lol that’s funny. Cadets don’t outrank anyone. They aren’t even an officer, they are not in the military yet. They might wear the uniform but they are in college. They get paid E5 but the most junior E1 fresh out of AIT outranks the cadet. They are learning to be officers, they are not officers.

not only NO but hell no they have not EARNED any rank yet. a short haircut is the only thing that separates them from being a civilian

I know an Air Force Cadet insisted that myself and other Airmen (some NCOs and some not) salute him because he outranked us. When we told him that he didn’t he brought over a colonel. The colonel asked us why and our NCO at the time said “I do not recognize that as any rank in our rank structure and therefore did not salute.” Colonel turned to the cadet looked at the rank insignia, laughed and said “you’re right, carry on”. The look on the cadet side face was priceless. You can tell he’s gonna be a horrible lieutenant based on his superiority complex over enlisted.