Do cadets actually outrank non-commissioned officers?

I’m an officer and I went through the ranks. I was enlisted first before I became an officer,(in the navy we call them’mustangs’), I respected all ranks as I climbed the ladder and I never forgot my enlisted friends. Everyone respected me for that.

Cadets and OTs are students in a "training status" and "rank" basically as an E-5 (junior most NCO) as far as hierarchy and level of responsibility goes. They are not entitled to "Sir/Ma'am" titles nor salutes until they commission. Though many of us do use Sir/Ma'am to help prepare and train them.

This is where Rank and Grade become interesting.
An officer Candidate holds the renk of Officer, but is at the Grade of E-5 (E-6 for National Guard). I'm not sure where cadets fit into that structure, but I don't think that really matters.
They are officers, tho not commisioned yet, and should be treated as such. If they want to lead let them lead and gain experience. As an NCO, you need to guide and correct,to keep them in the right direction.
However, when it comes to Grade In a spitting match the NCO will probably win. All the officers know the cadet/candidate is there to learn. Sometimes they need to be reminded of this. Should one dare to try and tackle a senior NCO, we all know who will happen.
Remember, the only thing scarier than a Leiutenant wit a compass, is a Cadet who thinks he knows what he is doing.

That's one of those, "Yes, but..." educational moments. Remember, if you treat a Cadet like crap, karma may get you. He or she could become your platoon leader. It's better to be a mentor than an arse.

I love cadidiots a lot. When one got feisty, I would approach and say,” Thank God you’re here sir. I know you and you alone are the only one that can help me out.” I found out it instantly turned the cadidiot from a firecracker to a very, very helpful person. Usually they would ask how they could help. I would tell them I need a tool ( left handed smoke wrench, illuminating grid squares, T R double E grease or my personal favorite B A 100 Novembers. I would tell them a high ranking officer held that tool, and if they could “pretty please” go to that person and get the tool I needed , he would show great leadership in providing a trooper with support. Damn thing was, I’d never see that cadidiot ever again.

My last reserve unit was a SROTC unit on Ft Knox. So I drilled at the University of Dayton as an instructor. When that topic would come up, I would advise them to learn from the NCOs before trying to lead them. Same goes for most 2nd LTs.

According to AR600-20, yes. According to actual military experience, the CO will ALWAYS have the backs of the more experienced NCO's.

What happens when the new 2LT has a bigger rack than most of the NCOs he meets? I spent 10 years in the Army (Including Vietnam service) left to fulfill my promise to my Father to get a degree. I went to AFROTC and graduated receiving a commission as a 2LT. At my first assignment everyone was set to "Haze" the newbie, and I meet them with a nice sized rack of ribbons. (Including a Good Conduct Medal with 2 clusters.) They soon learned I was just as competent as my ribbons indicated.

And 2lts outrank 1SGs.
And once upon a time...............................

No they do not! Only those who hold a rank can tell a non commissioned officer what to do. Unless they are a 2LT. And have a commission they cant give an order for shit. I trained Cadets when at Aberdeen and the one who told me he out ranked did push ups the entire time I gave my safety speech. So absolutely not that being said that's not to say they won't remember your name.