Posted on Apr 2, 2015
Rankism. Is there such a thing in the military?
407K
1.25K
442
52
51
1
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
3
3
0
3
3
0
Of course Rank-ism exists. Look at the award system. It is totaled FUBARed.
(3)
(0)
SPC Angel Guma
How can you fix the award system? Every time someone comes up with an idea for implementing meritocratic evaluations, someone always finds a way to flip-flop well-intended ideas to continue favoritism and seniority.
(1)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
The only way to stop it is by setting the example and hoping your influence spreads. Unfortunately, there will always be that one leader that will endorse those based on how "chummy" they are, but if enough people are willing to put their foot down, the problem can right itself. It is a difficult battle, but it can be fixed if people are willing to put forth the effort.
(0)
(0)
3
3
0
Eric, Thanks for the thought-provoking subject. I am sure that many of us have held our own rank "prejudices" over the years. As a private, those master sergeants/first sergeants and sergeants major/command sergeants major just didn't know what it was like to be a private "today." As a sergeant, that platoon leader and commander were plainly uninformed as to what it meant to be a "leader of soldiers." Time and experience - and perhaps the ability to be willing to observe and learn, may (or may not) teach us to be a bit more open-minded at times (humor intended). As for tattoos, to be frank, I do not like them - and I do not like metal studs or earrings either. Now, before anyone gets upset, the real question is, "so what?" Look, the Army changed its standards on tattoos. I may not have liked it at the time, but we welcomed all of those men and women into our team to serve in our Army in our nation's time of need. Guess what? They were - and are - great soldiers. So how can we, as an Army, tell them that they are no longer valued members of our team? The simple answer is, we can't. They are part of us. I may not have initially agreed with the changing of the standard, but I personally appreciate the service each soldier has provided. As far as rank-ism goes, really? Is this one of the big issues facing our Army? Thank you everyone for your service.
(3)
(0)
2
2
0
Sure it happens, but I never thought of it as a big deal. I'm supposed to have the view of concrete right in front of my face and do all the crap details. I do them all to the best of my ability and with whatever tools I have at my disposal, and I don't complain about it either because that's military life. There's no hard feelings behind any of it. Soldiers at my grade complain about this too much.
(2)
(0)
CPL (Join to see)
It’s this kind of mentality that soldiers at our grade need if they really want to leave the E-4 mafia. We keep our heads down, we drive on and we work to become the next great NCOs so we can bring some quality, non-toxic leadership to the next group of young soldiers coming up.
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
You can have assumptions, but I always treated everyone with dignity and respect. Unfortunately some folks don't believe in this approach, and some assumptions become true.
(2)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
That is what hurts us. I have see some enlisted soldiers that had masters. Just because that guy is a SPC doesn't mean that he is young and dumb.
(0)
(0)
MAJ Ken Landgren
It's been my experience that a few junior enlisted with degrees and older, had extreme
baggage with them.
baggage with them.
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
I recon it's no different than a manager or senior worker in charge at a civilian job. You have good ones and are happy at work. You have an AH and working there is miserable. Same way in the military. Seems if you can get an understanding going then you reup... if not reassigned... or hit them so they avoid you after you get released or an article 15. But your right some people look like they need to be smacked back to reality.... and some people look at you like they wanna smack you for no good reason. That's why bayonet training is essential. Be ready duck block and weave at all times in or out of uniform... just don't get angry and keep smiling
(2)
(0)
Suspended Profile
Of course it exists. Stratification exists in every situation, including rank structure. I mean, it's pretty much designed as formal stratification.
It is our gift and curse as humans. We group things and associate ideals with those groups in order to make sense of the world. We then then couple that with certain attitudes which we then influence the next generation with. Sometimes this helps things, but all too often does it hurt the overall development of the society. Granted there are larger societal issues which influence the military society, but, over all, I can say that "rankism" exists and is here to stay.
It is our gift and curse as humans. We group things and associate ideals with those groups in order to make sense of the world. We then then couple that with certain attitudes which we then influence the next generation with. Sometimes this helps things, but all too often does it hurt the overall development of the society. Granted there are larger societal issues which influence the military society, but, over all, I can say that "rankism" exists and is here to stay.
CPT (Join to see)
That is a great response. It is here to stay just as many other plagues of society. As long as it doesn't run against the Army values it isn't much of an issue. But we all know that NCO or that Officer that uses his Rank too much. Then that is that NCO or Officer that thinks he knows what every other rank should do.
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
Coming from Enlisted to Officer I can say I've come across more disrespectful NCO's. Some people are so wrapped up in comparing a LT to a Private and exerting some kind of cognitive dissonance, between not wanting to deal with you but technically still having to show you an ounce of decency, that they forgot the first line of the Creed of an Non Commissioned OffIcer. Also I'm not the anal person to go around being that guy/gal who stops Soldiers to say "hey you're supposed to salute me!" (but know that Karma sleeps for no one) but where is the military bearing? Since when was it ok not to stand at parade rest for a SGT or salute a LT, when deference of rank permits, because of your personal beliefs? You're either a Non-Commissioned Officer/ Commissioned Officer or not. Where does it say "well you need a little more time in rank to receive basic customs and courtesies"?
(2)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
I have seen exactly what you are talking about. It blew my mind. I had soldiers who were in the Army less than I was and were a lower rank than I when I crossed over treat me like that. I get it some times but not much anymore. I am one of the most experienced LTs in my battalion. I am the only LT with a Ranger Tab. We have very few soldiers in the Battalion with them overall, including enlisted. But there are those NCOs that just feel like they are better merely for just being an NCO, and a poor example of one in the first place, that want to flex on you.
(1)
(0)
MAJ (Join to see)
This unfortunately is more prevalent than it should be.
When I took over my first platoon after commissioning our Commander had a discussion with the Platoon Leaders. We were a heavy weapons company so we were task organized with a Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant, 1 E-6 Section Leader, and 2 E-5 Squad Leaders.
His rule was that all Soldiers will stand at attention for Officers and Parade Rest for NCOs when addressing them. He then said it was the discretion of the NCO/Officer to put them at ease. However, he said that he did not require the PSG to stand at attention for the PL - the mindset is that you are a team. The PSG is the PL NCO counterpart. He left it at our discretion for the Section Leader, which I applied the same courtesy and system to that was in place with the PSG.
The system worked extremely well. There was discipline, respect, and military bearing from all ranks while still having a positive atmosphere within the Platoon. My NCOs never treated me poorly, but obviously had their fun (as is expected with a new Lt).
When I took over my first platoon after commissioning our Commander had a discussion with the Platoon Leaders. We were a heavy weapons company so we were task organized with a Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant, 1 E-6 Section Leader, and 2 E-5 Squad Leaders.
His rule was that all Soldiers will stand at attention for Officers and Parade Rest for NCOs when addressing them. He then said it was the discretion of the NCO/Officer to put them at ease. However, he said that he did not require the PSG to stand at attention for the PL - the mindset is that you are a team. The PSG is the PL NCO counterpart. He left it at our discretion for the Section Leader, which I applied the same courtesy and system to that was in place with the PSG.
The system worked extremely well. There was discipline, respect, and military bearing from all ranks while still having a positive atmosphere within the Platoon. My NCOs never treated me poorly, but obviously had their fun (as is expected with a new Lt).
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
If you look back at the days where there were SPC5s, SPC6s, and SPC7s, there was a lot of rankisms then. There was always a lot of friction between these specialists and NCOs. If you know where I'm getting at, you would know about "Rank Have its Privileges" theory. There were too much "rank pulling" between two different paygrades. As it was often said, some NCOs don't make good leaders and some specialists make fine leaders. Then there is the "Time in Grade" factor. That happens with officers, as well as the enlisted. Just because one is better qualified or more experienced or even older, does not necessarily mean one is the better soldier (or marine, sailor or airman). Just my 2 cents.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Yes, of course. It is the way of the military, or at least the Army. 2LTs are the best example.
You could add, the false assumption that 2LTs with prior service will be better, or are more better.
Only you (the individual) can minimize this based on your actions.... not your words.
We have ranks, a rank structure, and a chain of command for a reason.
You could add, the false assumption that 2LTs with prior service will be better, or are more better.
Only you (the individual) can minimize this based on your actions.... not your words.
We have ranks, a rank structure, and a chain of command for a reason.
(2)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
This would be correct if bias was not in the picture. You may be the best at what you do with action that show leadership skill as well knowledge of area of study and background . The bias of prior service branch and rank effect the outcome of this bias age too has its role in this bias too .
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google