Is it age or the rank of a Private that basically makes a Private seem arrogant?

2017-04-19T19:15:31-04:00

I enlisted Active Duty at the age of 27 and started basic as an E-2. I was promoted to E-3 while in AIT. I didn't really pursue a promotion and after my 4 year enlistment was up, I chose to go home. One thing I notice though, is a lot of E-1s to E-3s act like they're invincible and know everything. I've never acted that way. It's got to be age related, doesn't it?

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Apr 19 at 2017 7:23 PM

2017-04-19T19:23:17-04:00

It's a little bit of both. Yes age plays a factor because they're not quite mature. But another part comes from the rank itself. You are literally at the bottom of the barrel. If you get in trouble, it's no big deal. You see higher ranks get demoted and they drop a good number of ranks. What's a Private get... temporary dock in pay and possibly liberty restriction and toilet cleaning duty. Whoop di doo.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2017 8:43 PM

2017-04-19T20:43:31-04:00

I think it does, I'm 27 and barely in. I've got people 9 years younger than me at the same rank and I get along better with people my own age. Problem with enlisting late is people my own age tend to outrank me. So I tend to do my job then go be by myself, it's quieter and I enjoy it.

That and it's nice being able to go to bars when some of them can't lol

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 19 at 2017 11:49 PM

2017-04-19T23:49:01-04:00

Both... PFC Shawn West

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 20 at 2017 12:49 AM

2017-04-20T00:49:29-04:00

PFC Shawn West Just wait! The E-4 Mafia gorges on people like you!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2017 4:29 AM

2017-04-20T04:29:47-04:00

I seen this everyday as an AIT Platoon Sergeant, I don't think the arrogance is because they are Soldiers. I think it is a generational shift that has made the younger generation feel entitled, they were raised with the belief that they could do anything and be the number one of everything and we know this is just a false statement. By the way the 'Dust Cover" in your picture is not authorized. I am sure you know that and I say it jokingly, but Soldiers do attempt to place this on their chest.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2017 5:35 AM

2017-04-20T05:35:22-04:00

Its a combination of different factors. Mainly, the generational shift, the rise of the internet and social media has emboldened a lot of younger people who feel entitled and self-righteous. So adapting the military lifestyle is harder then it was in previous decades, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feed into vanity and self-awareness, so that again continually comes at odds with the mentality of "fall in line".

I would argue that many of the soldiers who are capable and gifted will be trouble as far as doing exactly as they are told but, are still excellent at their job and exercising their skills. As with anything, you adapt and overcome to make the mission happen.

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Apr 20 at 2017 5:42 AM

2017-04-20T05:42:15-04:00

I would say that the perceived arrogance has nothing to do with the rank or age/maturity. The boot camp/AIT/TechSchool process is designed to create the kind of self confidence that may be perceived as arrogance. For most recruits (of any service), accomplishing boot camp is the first difficult thing any of them has done. They are told they are the elite of the population, noble in their decision to serve, and accomplishing something as trying as basic training proves their mettle. They are then sent to learn their trade, but not just any trade THE BEST TRADE IN THE ARMED FORCES!!!, doesn't matter whether you are a cook, personnel specialist, infantry, or pencil pusher, ONLY the select few can do what you do. This is done to install a sense of pride in your career choice. So when that Private gets to his/her first unit thay may have an overinflated sense of self-worth. Usually gets corrected pretty quickly.

Good NCO's know not to burst that bubble, but to slowly deflate it to a point where all the egos fit in the room and work well togather....

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2017 1:04 AM

2017-04-21T01:04:43-04:00

From my experience, most new Privates in the Army are generally just starting to find themselves. The Army for a young 18 year old kid is oftentimes the very first "big" event to happen to them. They've left home, lost their long hair, and have actual responsibilities and a real job now. Of course they'll feel invincible, similar to college freshmen.

Your situation was obviously different because at the age of 27 you had already (most likely) left your parents home, maybe had some college under your belt, probably had years of holding a steady job, paid bills, etc. You had matured beforehand, whereas for young recruits, Drill Sergeants have to (try to) mature them. What doesn't get worked out in IET, eventually gets worked out by their NCO's. Being young and excited about big changes in life isn't a bad thing; but when their behavior becomes dangerous in either their job in the Army or their personal life it becomes a problem.

I'm sorry your experience with the Army was so short lived because of your peers; it really does get better. Re-enlistment is always an option; even if it's in the Guard or Reserves!

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2017 12:24 PM

2017-04-21T12:24:53-04:00

I address AIT students every month or so. They seem rather timid to me.

Response by SFC Shane Funkhouser made Apr 23 at 2017 7:23 PM

2017-04-23T19:23:53-04:00

I really didn't see it as much of a problem and the few that did have that attitude were usually put in check by their peers quickly enough after a few late nights or some extra p.t. and some extra mentoring by their NCO's I've had a few and 90% of those I took under my wing usually ended up as some of my best soldiers or marines.

Response by CPL Sarah Stilwell made Apr 22 at 2020 2:00 AM

2020-04-22T02:00:55-04:00

It's not so much an age thing but a maturity thing. I was born and raised in the military so when I went in I was basically doing what I did all my life, only now it was with a rifle and a gas mask. My NCOs would 'drill' me on things with the expectation that I would be clueless and cry. As they eventually realize that I never seemed to 'screw up' like other junior enlisted despite the fact I was younger than most of them. My NCOIC told other NCOs that I was 'lightyears' ahead and I went on to be transferred to battalion hq. They treated me like I was capable because I was capable. I was quiet, respectful, hardworking and never complained about jack shit. Some other juniors called it arrogance but it was really that I had been doing this my whole life while others were still figuring things out.