Do cadets actually outrank non-commissioned officers?

I can't answer for other branches but the Cadet in the USAF is treated and paid at the E5 pay grade. So they would be at the SSgt level with very little time in service and time in grade. I had this debate with a USAF Academy Cadet who thought he outranked all enlisted. Our Commander a Lt, Col explained it this way. Until the Cadet receives a commission he out ranks enlisted below the grade of E5 and any new cadets entering service after him. Otherwise he is a trainee and had best pay attention to all those who outrank him.

Until they graduate and gain their commission. No. But I personally wouldn’t want to get on there bad side. And all of a sudden get a new platoon leader

I had the privilege of " teaching" the summer camps for both ROTC cadets, and a summer at West Point. The senior cadets had command of the cadet corp, but under no circumstances were they in command of regular army soldiers, unless they were assigned as an acting platoon leader, like an internship. This was told to us during briefings, before our interactions qith them. However, we did give them the respect we would give to our own officers, because eventually, during our careers, we would cross paths.

No, they absolutely do not outrank anyone except the fellow cadets in their class. The rank of cadet is an academic rank and is not recognized as a rank that accompanies UCMJ authority.

Not in my Marine Corps they don't!

What kind of Cadets are you getting? Because we were taught to respect NCOs. Cadets are technically still civilians.

treat them as 2 lt.

As a draftee in 1968, I thought it was odd that battle hardened old “Tops” with CIB’s on their chests from WW2 had to call a mama’s boy 2nd Lt. Sir!

No they do not.

Nope.