Do cadets actually outrank non-commissioned officers?

For a long time, our office at USCGHQ did not have a chief. Because of that, I would pull the new ensigns aside, help them set up an “inspection uniform” and get them set up with whatever they needed. I let each of them know they could come to me with questions they might be reluctant to ask someone senior to them. If I didn’t know the answer, I found it. I did their correspondence and cleaned it up (with permission) when it needed it. I had the uniform regs for every formal occasion printed for them so they were prepared.

I always considered it my job to support, sometimes do what I could to “train” them and give them insider info they needed. My job was to help them be successful.

I was an Infantry E-4 in Germany back in the day. We had West Point Cadets assigned to my unit. We referred to them in private as 3d LT. Ours had respect for us iin the field and sought our advice. Having said that my grandson was recently commissioned as a 2LT and is currently on hi swat to Ranger school. I advised not to make any tactical or disciplinary decisions without first seeking input from his senior NCO.

Are you familiar with the term "fragging?"

As they have not taken their final oath of office, have not EARNED the right to be call Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine I would have to say NO. They should be shown respect for what they are working to accomplish but NO they have no rank (My opinion)

Since the Cadets have not received their Commission, they do not out "rank" the NCO's.

Something in the back of my feeble mind always thought that, until they (the cadets) actually got commissioned, they had warrant officer status, though not addressed as such. I've seen and had "know it all" officers, considered their rote-learned drivel, and used my more experienced NCOs to show them how the world really works.

Negative Ghost Rider!

No they don't, but you give them the respect. I use to deal with cadets. They are not commissioned officers yet.

Brothers and sisters, it's not about ranking, it's about teaching a young person, in training to be an officer, how to be an officer, which means, you treat them like an officer. Does that mean you treat them like you would any other 1LT? Yes. Does that mean you salute them? Yes. Does than mean you can correct them? Yes, just like you would a 2LT or, 1LT, WO1, CW2, or even a CPT. We are training them to become someone we would want to work with.

Its true but they are not normally in the chain of command but carried as observers.

AR 600-20, Section 2:2-18:a:(3)

2-8. Death, disability, retirement, reassignment, or absence of the commander

a. Commander of Army element.

(1) If a commander of an Army element, other than a commander of a headquarters and headquarters element, dies, becomes disabled, retires, is reassigned, or is temporarily absent, the senior regularly assigned Army Soldier will assume command.

(2) If the commander of a headquarters and headquarters element dies, becomes disabled, retires, is reassigned, or is temporarily absent, the senior regularly assigned Army Soldier of the particular headquarters and headquarters element who performs duties within the element will assume command. For example, if a division headquarters and headquarters company commander is temporarily absent, the executive officer as the senior regularly assigned Army Soldier who performs duties within the headquarters company would assume command and not the division commander.

THIS IS THE CRITICAL PARAGRAPH

(3) Senior regularly assigned Army Soldier refers (in order of priority) to officers, WOs, Cadets, NCOs, Specialists, or Privates present for duty unless they are ineligible under paragraphs 2-15 or 2-16. They assume command until relieved by proper authority except as provided in 2-8c. Assumption of command under these conditions is announced per paragraph 2-5. However, the announcement will indicate assumption as acting commander unless designated as permanent by the proper authority. It is not necessary to rescind the announcement designating an acting commander to assume duties of the commander “during the temporary absence of the regularly assigned commander” if the announcement gives the time element involved. A rescinding announcement is required if the temporary assumption of command is for an indefinite period.