Do cadets actually outrank non-commissioned officers?

The ROTC cadet corps is a military institution, I would hope the same military courtesy would apply here.

The thought that comes to mind is who is mentoring this Cadet? Why in the world are they even worrying about that? As a Cadre member this topic never is never brought up or mentioned because they know they are in the mentoring and building phase of their leadership journey. Its a mutual understanding. I don't belittle them for their ignorance as it pertains to leadership in its various forms and they respect me for the knowledge I am able to give them to be successful after commissioning. This question must be coming from a non-leader who is thinking about becoming a Cadet.

Personally, I believe it’s in the best interest of the Cadet, young or Junior Officer, OCS, etc… to concentrate more on learning from their Senior Enlisted who most have been in service longer than their age. Of Course Proper Respect shown is always important but not the key issue to learn your job as a young person learning to become a successful leader. A Lamb Skin, Diplomas, Certificates, etc… does NOT Automatically make you a good leader. It just gives you the opportunity to be one. Just my opinion. Best of luck to all new cadets and officers!!! Respectfully, Doc

I have to chuckle every time I hear/see this question in whatever format it presents itself. It reminds me of a personal experience early in my career.

1965, WAC, PFC, HHC Ft Gordon, GA, Separation/Transfer Point, clerk typist.
Duties, break out 201 files and prepare DD Form 214 for personnel being separated from Active Duty.
EVENT:
One morning whilst I was busy at my desk doing my job a young man stepped in the doorway and after a few seconds proceeded to SHOUT at me berating because I had not turned away from my typewriter to immediately come to the position of attention and salute his arrival. He was so loud that the WO-4 section chief was able to hear him at the other end of the building.
I attempted to explain that if I did as he demanded for every individual who came into this small office I would never get anyone's paperwork completed. He just got more irate and his voice louder.
My Chief appeared beside him in the doorway to learn what the hullaballoo was about. Upon being informed, he turned to this young ROTC cadet who was completing Advance Camp and expecting to leave in 2 days, advised him that his attitude was UNacceptable, that he was getting his appointment via act of congress and that the Chief received his by direct appointment. He further advised that he considered the cadet's attitude toward me as tho' I was his own daughter and he (the cadet) was WAY OUT OF LINE. Dismissed the cadet to his unit then turned to me.
Chief - "Where are his records?"
Me - "Sir, we've not yet received the packet."
Chief - "When it arrives, let me know, then place it in the bottom of your desk drawer. Hold it there until I tell you to release it." I followed those instructions.
Two weeks later, after this cadet had been on daily post police call, (the old days before civilians 'took over') my Chief told me to pull the packet and get it ready for the cadet to be released the following day, which I did.
When that young man appeared for orientation the following day, he was so meek butter would not have melted in his mouth.

Bottom line, I think he learned his lesson and that he didn't have the power/authority he thought he had.

Another life time ago, I was the Sqd Ldr for Heavy Weapons Sqd (2 x M-60 machine gun teams and one sniper team). We had a few cadets assigned to us during our training rotation. It was made clear by the Captain to the cadets they were to watch, learn, ask questions, and soak up as much knowledge from all the leaders at all levels. Besides one incident (clearly silver spoon syndrome), the cadets were highly motivated and eager to learn. They were all preparing for Ranger school so we set up our field time to mimic that school. They were a squared away group. I think a lot of these incidents we hear about come from their leaders setting them up for failure.

A cadet who has successfully completed their third year is, by law and regulation, an officer without rank. They can be activated and deployed as an officer from that point on time. My son was so activated and see as a maratime cadet for the invasion of Iraq. As an Army ROTC instructor I had difficulty sorting out cadets in the Simultaneous Membership Program. The were paid as. As E-5s but we're assigned responsibilities of an 0-1.Many had not completed their third year.The regs did not resolve who was an officer or not.

Cadets trying to play officers in the real Army is a joke. When they come to an Infantry unit, they should observe, train and learn. And shut the hell up. Real officers learned their place real fast. If they want to look good in the eyes of the upper C.O.C. Then follow the NCOs lead and they will be made to look great and be great leaders. While in school they should stick to playing Army

No they don't, they have not earned commisssion yet.

AR 600 - 20 (3) Senior regularly assigned Army Soldier refers (in order of priority) to officers, WOs, cadets, NCOs, specialists, or privates present for duty.
So yes they do. Hopefully someone has told them who not to pull rank on. The good news is you are unlikely to have a cadet present in a battle which leaves a very limited amount of trouble a cadet can cause. The only real problem I every say was in a training squadron in the Air Force. Our NCOs were 15 year buck sergeants about to be mustered out because they couldn't make staff sergeant and our officer was a 2nd Lt. Moral and tech school grades dropped enough the base commander sent us a Capt to clean house and he got us some decent NCOs assigned. When he left a 1st Lt took his place no problem. A girl scout can run a training squadron with good NCOs. Even the scalp hunter Capt couldn't run it with those idiots in place.

absent an actual commission, cadets are not yet active duty