Do cadets actually outrank non-commissioned officers?

Good points. Yes, technically a cadet outranks NCOs. So does a 2LT platoon leader. And any CoCO over the 1SG. I've been a cadet, 2LT PL, and an infantry CoCO. It NEVER entered my mind to use rank as a position of authority. It is caring, respect, presence, and judgment that gets people to walk through walls for the mission, not rank or authority. Anyone who relies on their position is weak and useless. Get them out of the chain of command - in the military and it applies as civilians as well.

Instead of challenging their questionable authority, I think the cadets would benefit from a little lunch conversation. Don't fight them. Explain to them the truth we all know, which is that a rank is not a hammer. It's a responsibility. Hit them that way and you'll get great results.

Then, to establish dominance, explain that at lunch, the highest rank pays, stand up, and walk out

As my old Infantry Platoon Sergeant would say, “I looked in all the books that Fort Benning provided me, thinking I might have missed something they taught me, and a Cadet Rank was never in my Military training. I will salute foreign officers that I recognize the Ranks of...”

This to me is less of a rank question and more so one of inherit respect. There is no such rank as cadet in the Army, nor has that cadet earned their commission yet. However, why burn a bridge that still being build. At the same time respect goes both ways, that cadet should recognize the experience already put in place and pull from that to add to their own.

Cadets are students until they graduate and receive their commission, then and only then, do they "outrank" an NCO. When I was Superintendent of Medical Logistics, I would have loved for a cadet to enter my "Domain" and give me an order. I would give them directions to the "playground" and ask them to leave their milk money on their way out .

Yes they do. However, since they’re Cadets, they better tread lightly when ordering around Soldiers that have been in. If they are a Cadet doing Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT), they are there to work on their Leadership skills in leading Troops during this Temporary Duty. If I were them I would take this time to learn from the Soldiers (& Junior Officers that are supposed to shadow & mentor them) about what the Army is truly like & how they as a future Army Officer can become a good leader that also respects his subordinates & their advice.

Yes they do. And personally, as my unit failed to do this, if you have a prior enlisted cadet within your ranks you should that opportunity to use this situation as a learning experience. It’s sometimes hard to transition from that fun, messing around private or specialist into an officer. So no cadets should not be commanding enlisted unless they have been given a position as an OIC or something. But this ranking structure should definitely be used as a transition and shadowing period.

Never does a cadet out rank any one. They are students, they are NOT commissioned officers. If one had ever "ordered" me to do anything, my response would have been unpleasant. No way is some boot cadet got the knowledge to direct me, take command or otherwise engage in a leadership activity except to be led and directed.

They DO NOT out rank any one. Until they are commissioned they are just not there to take command. They are in training!

Cadets are just that STUDENTS and are NOT fully vested in any rank other than at the school. This is a universal rule in all armies at all times. Cheers,