Experience vs Work Ethic: Which one is more important in an E-4 and below?

The platoon was doing load up for FTX, and a new SFC asked who was most experienced in the task, the whole plt said 'Jensen' and the SFC said 'Jensen, you're in charge", I did well enough there. The same summer was med spt at the range, while giving heat casualty class, told everybody to drink a canteen right then and there: excuses and answers, excuses and answers; my Plt Sgt who was the acting Bn Med Officer was there when Sr NCOs decided to pull rank to not drink a canteen of water, I forget my answer 'in all due respect' but my Plt Sgt over-ruled them.
A couple of months later my Plt Sgt referenced the 2 situations as to why I was going to the E-5 Board.

Give it to the PFC, obviously the SPC doesnt care about his/her job. chances are that said SPC is probably getting out after the current enlistment. so give it to the PFC so that they can assume the responsibility and learn new things. I know that as a SPC i was put as a squad leader in an infantry unit not because my squad leader was a failure but he went on E-Leave and i learned a lot more than i ever thought i would and i use that towards my role as a team leader. so maybe this PFC can take what he learns and use it in the event of getting replaced by someone who is as high speed as they are, just higher ranking than them.

Giving the Specialist a chance to lead might be just what they need to turn them around and feel like an integral part of the team, so I would have to give them the chance first. If they fuck it up and still don't do anything to improve themselves, then fire their ass and give it to the PFC.

I always have been in the position where the person best suited for the job gets it, regardless of rank. Now if it was an NCO that was the slacker then they should loose that rank. But being that it is a SPC that is a slacker I am going to assume that it was an automatic promotion. It would be a disservice to not let this PFC shine, as well as get them the waivers that the level of performance deserves.
If this is your soldier ensure that they are counseled properly so both the good and bad soldiers have it in paperwork that they are either rising stars, or soldiers that are just punching the clock and making a paycheck.

I would go with the PFC anyday. Currently as an artillery section chief, I have a E-2 as my assistant gunner, over a PFC and a SPC simply because of work ethic and competience.

A SPC should always strive to be ahead of thos below him to show he is ready for the next role as a leader. If that SPC shows no willingness to do so reguardless of their rank I would put the PFC in that spot. Unless that SPC shows some kind of interest in stepping up why would you put him /her in a leadership spot just to give a chance of being toxic to those below them. I myself have been team leader but i showed i was ready. I proved i wanted the position as a SPC. I showed it as a PFC and helped my peers as a PFC to fix things and if i didnt know i sought the information or training so i did know. Your answer is if the PFC rises above his peers and is ready to lead I would say yes put him/her as the team leader and maybe the SPC's would take note of where they are lacking and wake them up and show that A PFC stepped up where the SPC have been failing. This should be an eye opener to the SPC that they need to get on the ball and head out of 4th point of contact and get it back in the game. Show your worth not your rank.

Give the higher ranking person the position and make sure he knows he must earn the privilege of keeping it. Clear expectations and propper mentoring sets him up for success. If he loses it, that's on him.

SPC James Burkett, I retired from 3-82 FA, I served their on/off since 1985. I will ECCO the CW3, I became the BATTALION COMSEC because the E-5, became and stated DRUNK! Since I came from a Different unit overseas 210th bde I took the job. And set a new standard for improvement in #MORAL and standards,

I had been a training NCO, before so I put things in place after the 1st and CO approved the plan.

Generally speaking work ethic is more important. Experience will come with time and if you have good NCOs the experience difference should be minimized. Between two people of different ranks it is more of a socio-political issue. How will the SPC respond if the PFC is given the lead? Would it create a poisonous environment in the unit? If the SPC does the job well and the answer to either of the two questions above would result in reduced morale, stick with the SPC. The PFC will get there in time.

Work ethic is important for every rank, while experience becomes more important the higher rank you are.

So for an E-1, almost all work ethic, for an E-9, let's call it 50/50 or some other ratio.

Which would mean for an E-4 probably work ethic over experience but with experience taking more of a role as rank/time progress.