Do cadets actually outrank non-commissioned officers?

I was a sergeant stationed at Camp Lejeune when my unit hosted a couple of mid shipmen. One day as we were passing, they stopped me and asked why I failed to salute them. I then replied that a salute is for commissioned officers and that their rank as midshipmen were that of a senior NCO. I also stated that I would refer to them as cadet or sir to maintain proper decorum. They accepted my answer and we went our seperate ways....

No, absolutely not! We also trained cadets, we were their trainers. They did what we said, when we said it. They had a lot to learn before they slid behind their bars. Frankly, most of them had great attitudes, but a few were arrogant as heck and female.

They haven't been commissioned yet. In my opinion they are just college kids with a commitment after graduation. Called them "Zoomies" when I was stationed at Peterson Field.

Do they have a commission or a warrant? If yes they outrank a NCO, otherwise unless they have a commission or a warrant then no. They do not get saluted by NCO's and are not commissioned officers until they take the oath and receive a commission or warrant.

Don't confuse regulation with reality! Just like MOS schools they teach you the Manuel and then you learn the job at your unit. Strong Officer and NCO Corps fixes any rank issues at the unit!

People confuse pay grade and rank. Cadets do not outrank NCO’s. They do not fall in the military hierarchy until they are commissioned. However, they must be held at higher standards.

Cadets don’t outrank anyone other than underclass men. Meaning juniors, sophomore and freshmen. A good command team will not allow a cadet to free ball around the AO unless they are accompanied by permanent party Lieutenant. Saluting the Officer enables the Cadet to return salutes to NCOs and JEMs without really being saluted…see how that works?! A Cadet who declares he outranks NCOs has never existed. That’s a Joe rumor that was started by an enlisted bubba - Cadets really are respectful and are like sponges. Help them understand the Army so they can take that knowledge and build their foundation.

No.
If they have a promotion warrant which requires those of lesser rank to render obedience to proper orders said cadet may issue from time to time, that would be different. They don't. They have no lawful authority to issue any orders.

They are students. In their student role, they may have some limited authority delegated to them by someone with actual authority to issue lawful orders, but it always goes back to the person in authority who delegated it.

This kind of issue maybe a symptom of poor training or preparation of the Cadet Corps. Such conduct should be the exception and not very normal. In addition, mentoring and coaching is the inherent responsibility of every leader. When this rare opportunity presents itself, be ready and mature enough to make the difference needed for that young and aspiring mind. People often function in their hunger and thirst and are not very well aligned with the real mission, vision and values a healthy military member exhibits. Leaders build up and not destroy. Leaders take aspiration and convert it into inspiration. Real leaders inspire.

I had an Air Force Academy cadet assigned to me for an entire six-week basic training cycle. I don't remember that I ever saluted him. He insisted that I call him by the nickname he had at the academy, and I was sergeant to him. I instructed my flight to salute him when appropriate. At the end of the six weeks of training, he was preparing to leave, he told me that he was amazed at the amount of training the flight received. I always introduced him by his title "cadet". We had no problems.