Rank has its privileges means what precisely?

CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana — Tue, 15 May 2018 09:00:26 -0400

Does rank have it's privileges mean power and position can do anything, to include violating policies, rules, regulation and law without consequences; or does it mean the higher the rank the more belief the system has in such service members? Leadership is not about position, power or persistence to damage another due to personal feelings.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2018 9:10 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 May 2018 09:10:56 -0400

All too often it can mean “do as I say, not as I do.” First thing off the bat, though, it means a reserved parking spot!!!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2018 9:22 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 May 2018 09:22:23 -0400

Rank does have privileges for really $h!tt-e leaders. Any real leader understand that leadership is influence and service. policies rules and regulations are per the reasonable interpretation of the commander, any blatant violation of rules call your IG.

Response by SFC Stephen Atchley made May 15 at 2018 10:48 AM

SFC Stephen Atchley — Tue, 15 May 2018 10:48:34 -0400

I never heard this expression used to indicate that soldiers of higher rank were entitled to violate laws, regulations, or policies. Never did a superior express to me that he/she felt that obtaining a certain rank afforded some any such prerogative. The only time I ever heard the expression uttered was in connection with creature comforts, or place of priority in certain areas; e.g.; why does the 1SG get the shotgun seat in the cab of the heated truck on a cold day? Rank has its privileges. Why does a sergeant get a single barracks room when specialists and below share rooms? Rank has its privileges. Conversely, why does the CO, 1SG, Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant go last in the chow line in the field? Rank also has responsibilities.

Yes, I did hear the expression used when referring to independent action or the exercise of judgement. Why does the squad leader have to check with the platoon sergeant before excusing a soldier from a training activity; but the platoon sergeant does not have to clear it with the 1SG? Because of privilege conveyed due to his rank/experience/position.

Rank affords both responsibilities and privileges. Believing otherwise is naive and contrary to the realities of military service. There will always be 'leaders' that neglect the first and abuse the second. Sadly, this is also the reality of military service. Hopefully, good leaders and other channels will act proactively to identify and correct issues caused by those that fail to perform to the expected standard.

Response by Maj John Bell made May 15 at 2018 11:01 AM

Maj John Bell — Tue, 15 May 2018 11:01:46 -0400

I'm pretty sure you asked a question to which you already knew the answer.

Has anyone EVER said that because of their rank they have "...power and position can do anything, to include violating policies, rules, regulation and law without consequences."? Granted some act that way, but has anyone in a public forum ever stated that their rank gives them that power and position?

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made May 15 at 2018 11:13 AM

SGT Philip Roncari — Tue, 15 May 2018 11:13:03 -0400

Rank does have its privileges but I found it comes at a very high cost,my LT in Vietnam was a fine example of this because of his leadership and professionalism in the field, this was sorely missed after his six month field tour ended,his replacements were capable but not outstanding ,as for a non combat situations most of the officers I served under had their own agenda some good some bad,that I think you could apply to most circumstances .

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made May 15 at 2018 11:22 AM

SGT Tony Clifford — Tue, 15 May 2018 11:22:16 -0400

I've never heard the phrase uttered by anyone to justify violating a regulation or anything like that. I've only heard a junior soldier say it in derision when they were complaining about NCOs supervising manual labor instead of joining in with it. I have never heard an NCO use it to justify breaking rules or abusing power. If they did any of those things, it wouldn't be smart to flaunt it. Typically, a leader who does those things, doesn't stay a leader long. There are some privileges that come with rank, but that's usually offset by responsibilities that they now need to take care of.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2018 11:41 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 May 2018 11:41:02 -0400

No, it does not mean that you can choose to not follow the rules. It simply means that as you rise in rank, life tends to get better. For instance, I cleaned way more toilets and picked up thousands of more cigarette butts as an E-1 as I have as an O-3. I'm not above doing those things, but Captains rarely get tasked with that sort of stuff. So there's a privilege that comes with my rank.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2018 1:11 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 May 2018 13:11:41 -0400

Personally, I always thought of that quip as an insult directed at a poor leader...at least in the sense that when a lower-ranking person is being raked over the coals, or enduring some hardship a "higher" doesn't have to face-one might say in frustration, "Oh well...RHIP".

In a more mature sense, yes-I suppose with experience and increased responsibility, certain tasks, fail-safes and "gut checks" are removed from someone's life...and rightfully so, provided they've earned it. I don't think an O-4, or and E-6 needs to be policing the parking lot or sucking pad-eyes just because their people do. On the other hand, some of the best SNCOs and SROs I ever knew had absolutely zero problem sharing the heat, the cold, the rain, and the "suck" when it was coming on hard.

Where it really becomes a problem, to me at least, is when higher ranking folks allow awards, recognition and other benefits to come their way for work their subordinates have accomplished...or avoid blame when they are responsible.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2018 1:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 May 2018 13:19:55 -0400

Most often I hear it is when you see that senior officer or SNCO get away with a DUI, sexual assault or other things that a junior enlisted usually wouldn't get off with so easy.

However if someone is saying that with rank comes privilege to justify violating regulations or UCMJ then you better be reporting that individual.

"I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit or personal safety."

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 15 at 2018 2:15 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 15 May 2018 14:15:15 -0400

I've always used it more as a punch line than taken it literally. Yes the higher you go the more perks you get, hence the saying. That does not mean that those privileges are there to be abused - though some may do so. I first used that phrase when I took company command and got my own office. I used to call people in just so I could throw them out, citing RHIP. If anything my rank gave me the privilege of commanding some fine troops.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2018 5:20 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 May 2018 17:20:46 -0400

No special privileges WRT violating policy or law. Unless you're a COL or above there are few perks either. Maybe a reserved parking space at BN CP or similar, but the burden of Command far outweighs things like this. Even writing fitness reports at a Platoon or Company level can be a formidable task, if you appraise accurately and fairly. Luckily, the reporting periods are spread across the calendar for different ranks. I often had 8-10 Sgts, 5-6 SSgts, a Gunny or two and at least one, maybe two MSgts or one MGySgt to report on. The reports are no joke either, because you hold the future of these Marines and the Corps in your hand. Besides that, you have requirements for periodic and documented counselling so there are no surprises when they sign their report. This is just a small slice of the responsibilities of BN COs or higher. I found in research recently that the new USMC fitness report form is 6 pages long as opposed to the double-sided one page report of the past. It's just one example, but added to the daily administration of training, organizing, and equipping your unit for deployment, it all adds up. If anything, the higher the rank, the greater the responsibility. If you take your job seriously that is.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 15 at 2018 6:29 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 15 May 2018 18:29:09 -0400

The higher the rank should equate to the greater responsibility to enforce laws, rules, regulations, and SOPs. Organizations who preclude this practice are corrupt.

Response by TSgt David Desmarais made May 16 at 2018 9:35 AM

TSgt David Desmarais — Wed, 16 May 2018 09:35:55 -0400

I understand that higher rank has more latitude and is empowered to serve the mission as they see fit without direct supervision. STILL follow regs and if anything, despite having more latitude your decisions are under more scrutiny

Response by LtCol George Carlson made May 16 at 2018 3:50 PM

LtCol George Carlson — Wed, 16 May 2018 15:50:58 -0400

Exactly the opposite! While rank does have privileges, violation of rules, policies, regulation or law is NOT one of them. In fact, good leaders set the example. A story from long ago and far away. I was XO of an admin company and lived about 35 miles away. This is back when alarm clocks ran on plug-power and we had a power outage overnight. When my alarm went off it was about an hour after when it should have. I called the company office to speak to the CO but he wasn't aboard yet. I asked the Duty NCO to pass the word to the CO that I would be about 35 minutes "late." When I arrived, the 1st Sgt was storming around the duty desk with smoke coming out of his ears! It took a while to calm him down enough for him to show me the Duty NCO Log entry that fired him off. It read, "0720, Capt Carlson (XO) called and stated a power outage at his quarters overnight meant he would be about 35 minutes late. He asked that I advise the CO. I granted the normal 24-hour extension of liberty." Meanwhile the 1st Sgt kept muttering, "He never should have made an entry about an officer, certainly not the XO." I said to him, "OK, 1st Sgt, the 24-hour extension comment is a bit tongue-in-cheek, but here's my take on this. I'm glad it's there in the Duty NCO Log. You and I both know that every junior Marine who stands Assistant Duty NCO has nothing to do from about 0100 to 0500 so they read the log book to stay awake. That entry says two things that are really important. First, it says that liberty regulations apply to everyone in this company from the CO and XO on down. Second, it says that when Maj Hicks (the CO) says that if anyone calls in before liberty expires, the Duty NCO has full authority from him to grant a 24-hour extension, no questions asked, he means it -- even when it's the XO calling in." The 1st Sgt said he was just concerned that it was embarrassing for an officer to be noted that way in the log book. I replied that not only was I NOT embarrassed, I was happy to have an entry that said I was just as much bound by regulation and policy as any other Marine in the company.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Nov 3 at 2019 6:35 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 06:35:15 -0500

Seems to be a term used to excuse behavior that should not be excused.

Response by SSG Ken Steinhoff made Nov 3 at 2019 12:59 PM

SSG Ken Steinhoff — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 12:59:45 -0500

Side note what I hate is when the spouse wears their rank then you will see some time how bad it is
One day my unit go called in and I stop to pick up some donuts for my guys. And there was a E
One star Generals wife Trying to push her way to the front of the line I was just about to get my order and she Reyes to push her way past me. I stayed “Excuse me” and she Said “I am General so and so wife let me by” and I replied with “Do You know who I am?” And she said “No” so I said “Good by” and walked out with my order
It is all part of life. Just remember not to be a Jerk when you get the rank

Response by CPT Nicholas D. made Dec 10 at 2019 6:14 AM

CPT Nicholas D. — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 06:14:41 -0500

“RHIP” means expect an Ocean front view hotel room at the Hale Koa instead of a bottom floor Garden View. It also means I get dibs on bottom bunk, corner, near an outlet if I am ever in a barracks. I hope that every junior enlisted soldier is asked to police call cigarette butts outside the TOC before my services are required. And generally, I prefer to avoid the middle seat when riding in a car.

“RHIP” is about comfort and courtesy. It has absolutely nothing to do with violating regulations or abusing power.

Response by SSgt Ryan Sylvester made Aug 3 at 2020 6:43 AM

SSgt Ryan Sylvester — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 06:43:51 -0400

Had a SNCO hold the door open for you while snapping a sharp salute, Sir? There you go.