Posted on Apr 2, 2015
Rankism. Is there such a thing in the military?
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Rankism-discrimination against people on the grounds of rank.
There has always been grudges held at the various levels but for what reason. Countless times a new 2LT walks into a situation where he is instantly disliked for merely showing up. How many times have we thought of a new Private as automatically going to make mistakes so you have to treat as such. Or, the CSM that everyone thinks they only care about Uniform violations and walking on the grass.
Recently we found that SMA Dan Dailey revise the tattoo policy. I, for one, didn't see that coming. I didn't think a new SMA would make such a change like that for soldiers. At times we feel that they are so far disconnected from the soldiers they may not have us in mind.
Is this something that we face. Do soldiers with a certain rank or position get grouped in the a mass assumption of others that had that rank in the past?
There has always been grudges held at the various levels but for what reason. Countless times a new 2LT walks into a situation where he is instantly disliked for merely showing up. How many times have we thought of a new Private as automatically going to make mistakes so you have to treat as such. Or, the CSM that everyone thinks they only care about Uniform violations and walking on the grass.
Recently we found that SMA Dan Dailey revise the tattoo policy. I, for one, didn't see that coming. I didn't think a new SMA would make such a change like that for soldiers. At times we feel that they are so far disconnected from the soldiers they may not have us in mind.
Is this something that we face. Do soldiers with a certain rank or position get grouped in the a mass assumption of others that had that rank in the past?
Posted in these groups: 
Leadership
Rank
Leadership Rank
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 142
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I wouldn't be honest if I didn't admit to either rolling my eyes or snickering whenever a baby-faced ensign or 2nd lieutenant tried to make a suggestion or tried forcing their will on you by going off.
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RHIP - Rank Has Its Privileges
Juniors like to quip this pithy little phrase but they neglect to recognize the responsibility that goes with the higher ranks like when he or she dismisses their subordinates and they have to go back to their desk for hours more of paper work that has been stacking up!
Or that they probably got a far more severe ass-chewing from higher up in the chain-of-command for your screw-up than what was actually meted out to you! I understood this first-hand when I put on first class and was immediately placed in charge as LPO of a training department over instructors and students! All the crap I had to deal with and I’m sure the LCPO was probably laughing his ass off (in a supportive, empathetic way of course)!
Senior officers and enlisted need to remember they were once a buck private/seaman recruit or “brown bar” and should help their subordinates to understand they will advance in rank over time and will become all too familiar with the responsibility that goes with their rank!
I think that reserved parking spot at the commissary hardly compensates for the added burden of responsibility!
Juniors like to quip this pithy little phrase but they neglect to recognize the responsibility that goes with the higher ranks like when he or she dismisses their subordinates and they have to go back to their desk for hours more of paper work that has been stacking up!
Or that they probably got a far more severe ass-chewing from higher up in the chain-of-command for your screw-up than what was actually meted out to you! I understood this first-hand when I put on first class and was immediately placed in charge as LPO of a training department over instructors and students! All the crap I had to deal with and I’m sure the LCPO was probably laughing his ass off (in a supportive, empathetic way of course)!
Senior officers and enlisted need to remember they were once a buck private/seaman recruit or “brown bar” and should help their subordinates to understand they will advance in rank over time and will become all too familiar with the responsibility that goes with their rank!
I think that reserved parking spot at the commissary hardly compensates for the added burden of responsibility!
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And of course it's an LT asking this. As a general rule when a cherry officer or private shows up to a unit, we assume you're a moron because you are. Like 98/100. I was. Hands down Private Putnam was an idiot. Now when SSG Putnam shows up he's expected (and able) to grab the ball and run with it. So yes as you progress, rank does have it's privileges like being able to sign a memo instead of 1sg making you layout your TA50. Now when we get into designated parking spots at the PX... That's another story
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I would just tell the Lt to sit in his chair and I would get him promoted. They always thanked me.
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Once again some people forget no NCO in the military makes policy. It requires an officers signature on document. However lots of items of policy start with enlisted people of all grades. The higher the grade the more influence he has. E8 and E9 have lots of influence but do not make policy.
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Of course there will always be rankisms. Thats been the way it is since the dawn of time. Its just a matter of who it is.
Ive seen Specialists think there Gods gift to ththe infantry and always pulled the "I did my time" when something was to be done. That being said ive seen SSG busting there ass with Joe's when something needed to be done. It all comes down to who it is.
Personally my philosophy is to treat everyone the same ragardless of rank. I treat the 1st Sgt the same as the brand new Private. Everyone deserves respect until they lose it. Ive been called a "joe hugger" since I don't participate in childish stuff when a new guy comes in and they make him do dumb stuff. Now they are able to come to me when they got problems.
Rank shouldnt have discrimination. But it does happen and I can see why. It just depends on the person
Ive seen Specialists think there Gods gift to ththe infantry and always pulled the "I did my time" when something was to be done. That being said ive seen SSG busting there ass with Joe's when something needed to be done. It all comes down to who it is.
Personally my philosophy is to treat everyone the same ragardless of rank. I treat the 1st Sgt the same as the brand new Private. Everyone deserves respect until they lose it. Ive been called a "joe hugger" since I don't participate in childish stuff when a new guy comes in and they make him do dumb stuff. Now they are able to come to me when they got problems.
Rank shouldnt have discrimination. But it does happen and I can see why. It just depends on the person
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