Do cadets actually outrank non-commissioned officers?

Cadets out rank no one. They are given a job to do. If they ask for help in doing that job help them. But they outrank no one.

This has been answered before. Cadets are just that cadets. They outrank no one. They are given a job to do and might ask for help. Give them that help but they outrank no one.

During my enlisted linguist time, we would be blessed with AF Academy cadets who would be future intel officers. We showed them how things worked and never had problems. Our daughter is a USAFA grad, and I told her to learn who was the most respected NCO in the office and ask her/him for guidance.

LoL, a lot of cadets fell down ladders on ships.

For as long as I have been serving, the answer has always been no. They do not. They think they do but in my experience they do not. Now I did read some of the answers that said yes they do and i would very much like to see where that info came from so i can correct if i am wrong.

Again in my experience over the last 30 years, they are usually paid at the E5 level and have no authority over anyone (outside their cadet command) as I recall. The correct address for a cadet is usually Mr./Ms/Miss Last name or Cadet Last name. Even on the active duty side when there was interaction, cadets fell under NCOs and pull duties similar to E4 SPCs and below. I often had cadets pulling fire guard and barracks details along with lower enlisted. While all ranks should be treated with respect, they aren’t officers as yet and require no special rendering of honors that I am aware of. Again, if I am wrong I would very much like to know the source so I can correct a long standing error.

They get paid the same as a sgt

A really smart cadet - as in wordly smart, not necessarily academically - learns early that there is a big difference between ‘rank’ and ‘respect’. I was a cadet a looong long time ago and was taught early on (by some very wise officers and enlisted) that the best thing anyone could ever have on their side was a good first seargent. Salutes are little different from handshakes or high fives, but respect is a whole different point. I do think they typically outrank a gold bar though..... doesn’t everything ? We were told that when we pinned those on it was a huge demotion - and a time for humility and learning. That was great advice!

As I understood it (naval structure) the cadet/midshipmen outranked enlisted ranks but had no technical authority as they are still in training. They are above the SR enlisted & under the WO ranks in the structure as far as I remember. It has been 34 years since I retired. Keep in mind they were attached (like a summer intern) to learn good order and discipline and the uniform should be treated with respect and hopefully they will learn to lead with respect. Sometimes they will need explanations as to why things are done as such. We all know logic is not a 100% guarantee in the military. A good JR Officer that listens to advice of his SR enlisted to make an informed decision.

Cadets normally are paid at E-5 level— they do not outrank NCOs until they are commissioned and then they are not cadets anymore—. Within the Army Reserve or Army National Guard concurrent membership ROTC program many ROTC cadets receive early Commissioning in their unit —- normally utilized as interns in platoon or such —- the are unofficially many times called “third lieutenants” while serving in this capacity while completing their ROTC Classes.

I have a coworker who won't say how far she got at Westpoint (probably a month) but says she's a Veteran. It drives me crazy. She just says not long. She tells everyone she went to Westpoint but didn't graduate. When asked details she gets busy and has somewhere to go.