E-9s Worthless or Just Another Joke?

2014-04-11T12:38:54-04:00

I am a fan of humor and I saw this article in the DuffleBlog. Do you think it has a hint of truth as some say there is some truth in jokes. Thoughts?

NOTE: I have had some great E9s and some bad ones.

http://www.duffelblog.com/2014/04/sergeant-major-academy/

Sergeants Major Academy Spokesman Admits E-9s 'Pretty Much Worthless’

FORT BLISS, Texas — Sergeants Major across the Army have reacted with stunned outrage after candid comments from a spokesman for the Sergeants Major Academy were included in a recent story in the Army...

Response by CW2 Jonathan Kantor made Apr 11 at 2014 12:45 PM

2014-04-11T12:45:01-04:00

Ha! Love Duffleblog!!! Especially when people don't know it is a satire site and they post angry things on FB about it :D

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2014 12:47 PM

2014-04-11T12:47:39-04:00

I thought Aprils fools day happened already, I find it hard to believe that a CSM, especially the Commandant of the Academy would say something like that to a reporter

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Apr 11 at 2014 7:10 PM

2014-04-11T19:10:16-04:00

The worth of an E-9 is largely dependent on the Field he rides sidesaddle to. I've seen LTCs effectively castrate otherwise good CSMs, and I've seen LTCs let bad CSMs hang themselves too. Only about half of them I have ever met were truly a good team.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 2:12 PM

2014-11-07T14:12:22-05:00

A similiar question was posed on this website before. My porevious response still apllies. But yes duffle blog is hilarious.

The problem isn’t the rank or pay grade. The problem is that most modern military procedures and doctrine have weakened the power of the senior most enlisted positions and still levies the same amount of responsibility on them. The once feared and most respected rank any branch has been reduced to a stigma of the old grumpy dusty dinosaur that is too often displayed in movies or television.
E9s, when employed appropriately, are truly needed in their respective branches. Not only for the purpose of providing a voice for the Commander to the enlisted, but to be the commander’s ears and eyes for the enlisted. A true Sergeant Major (in reference to Army) will not only enforce the highest levels of discipline but also be the spokesman for the care, training, and treatment of his Soldiers. Without this representation at all levels of the military our greatest assets, the Service members, will be ill represented. When you see an E9 in your branch thank him/her. You will never truly understand the mountain of a job they have till you had to do it yourself.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 3:08 PM

2015-03-08T15:08:07-04:00

Me and the scheduling NCO, who was an E-9, sat up one night sharing a bottle of Black&White scotch and how we would win the war. Even the Officers saluted him, really. I don't kno how long he had been in the Cav, but he showed me a scar from the Battle of Little Big Horn where he had been shot with an arrow. LOL ;-)

Response by MSgt Jim Pollock made Mar 8 at 2015 7:30 PM

2015-03-08T19:30:13-04:00

I haven't read the duffleblog, but I will make a comment on the issue because I think it's relevant.

Behind closed doors, AF folks distinguish between Chiefs and E-9s. I don't think I need to elaborate beyond the fact Chiefs are highly valued and respected for their commitment to supporting and defending the enlisted corps. E-9s, well, made E-9.. Congratulations to them.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 2 at 2015 5:14 PM

2015-10-02T17:14:47-04:00

I had a kickass Armor PLSG who was stuck at E-6. I went to talk to the CSM to relay to my PSLG to report to the CSM. He had a dreaded look about the situation. Two months later he was promoted to E-7.

Response by GySgt Moses Lozano made Oct 2 at 2015 9:01 PM

2015-10-02T21:01:09-04:00

Just like all ranks, some are good and some are bad E9s are no different.

Response by CDR William Kempner made Aug 23 at 2016 12:51 PM

2016-08-23T12:51:19-04:00

As a few others have said, it all depends. Have known some damned good MCPOs-my last one was excellent-we'd bang heads once in a while, but I never had any doubt about his sincerity, or his dedication. Saw a few others that I thought were just politicians, or waiting around to retire. I guess it depends on the person-like most things.