In regards to Rank Has Its Privileges or Perks (RHIP), what was your most valued privilege during any assignment and why?

My favorite perk was just earning the respect of my subordinates. When I was enlisted, I hated watching officers get perks, and I sure as heck found it hard to truly respect many of them for showing off a few bennies. When I became an officer, I refused to accept any perks that I feel I did not earn and I consider it a privilege that I sincerely earned their respect.<div><br></div><div>One simple perk that is prevalent in the Air Force is that officers travel so much by air that they earn points towards first class rather quickly. I would feel like a total jerk sitting in first class if there were a dozen enlisted returning from overseas sitting in the back, so I never accepted the free upgrade. Actually, I did accept it once, but only after I noted that there were only two enlisted Soldiers in uniform on the flight and I convinced another civilian in first class to have us both switch seats and give our first class seats to the two that had just returned from the Middle East.</div>

Actually getting to have my own room during a deployment and not having to share with a bunch of others. Open squad bays and two man shelter half's in the Marines to open squad bays and ten plus individuals in tents in the USAF.   It took until I had been in the military for over 15 years - so I was really happy when it finally happened.

The best privilege I received as a company commander was not the parking space, a government issued cell phone, or the private CHU on deployment it was the ability to lead, mentor, and positively (hopefully) impact the lives of 160 people on a daily basis.  There are not many jobs where you get to wake up everyday and have that kind of impact on that caliber of people on a routine basis.  Some of the "privileges" that come with higher rank serve a purpose; i.e. to make the command more effective in command.  If they don't serve a purpose then quite frankly they probably shouldn't be there. 

Sir, no more staff duty was a big plus.  As I'm sure you have also witnessed during your career, I've also seen instances where rank unfortunately brings inappropriate privileges.  Two examples that come to mind are the best scopes/lasers going to staff O-4s who did not go on patrol in Iraq (perhaps those could have been pushed out to the line companies), and also a senior officer having a junior soldier install his cable TV as a first priority of work when battalion staff moved out to our JSS in Iraq for a brief period.  I understand that I may not have the full perspective on these situations, but thought I'd share nonetheless.  Thanks for posting the thread!

Having my own parking spot and not having to fight to get it back if I leave in the middle of the day to go somewhere sir. 

Having my own rack on the boat and no longer having to hot rack!! It's the greatest thing since sliced bread if you've ever been in the situation. I had to earn it though, in my particular situation it wasn't rank that afforded you the lone bed, it was qualifications and duty title, made putting in the extra effort to reach the highest level of qualification even more gratifying.

For me, it was the growing responsibility that came with the next rank. I started as a team leader as an E4 and it opened my eyes to leadership. Once I pinned E5, I became the squad leader and I loved leading Soldiers. It is one of the greatest things about the military. I continue to push myself to not be a great example, but a good mentor.

I despised "RHIP". Standing in a Battalion formation at FBNC, GEN (then LTC) Jacoby stood on the PLF platform and clearly stated he put his pants on the same way each of his paratroopers did.  As a PFC that has resonated with me for a long time and have always worked hard to be approachable and level-headed.

I'll allow that retirement is an "assignment" so I can answer this question. For me, the perks really came after retirement, which are afforded to all retirees regardless of rank, i.e. Commissary, BX, outdoor recreation activities, base lodging and campgrounds, etc. Shades of Green in Florida and the Hale Koa in Oahu are exceptional resort facilities sharing real estate occupied by five star resorts. My wife and I travel a lot in our RV and have found that military campgrounds are often unrivaled by commercial campgrounds and at much better prices. And just in case some of you were not aware, the Air Force opened up dining halls to retirees a few years ago. I was pleasantly surprised by the food quality and selection at very low prices.