Rankism. Is there such a thing in the military?

Duh, of course there is but its not something the government is interested in investigating. I would hope military of any rank would hold themselves to a higher, more intelligent level *sarcasm*

Hell yea there is.... Specialist Mafia

Sir, of course there is, as we have to approach a situation based on appearance first, in most cases. One thing I've lived by, you get a certain treatment as a Hunan being, you receive a certain level of treatment based on your insignia, the rest you have to earn based on how you execute your Mission as a Sailor (Soldier in this case).

I think it goes both ways, where the higher ranks don't associate with the lowers, but neither do some of them try to meet with the highers unless it is within their section. Many years ago, the unit I was with held a Dining-Out for E-7 and above. I went, but was not happy. The first unit I was ever with, when we held a Dining-In/Out the lower enlisted were encouraged to attend. I argued that how were we supposed to show the younger how to have fun with the superiors if we exclude them from such events. Being a Reserve soldier, I never felt like I wanted my rank to intimidate my subordinates. I cultivated an atmosphere in my sections where my workers were as much my friends as they were my soldiers. Teaching and respecting soldiers from day one puts "rankism' out the window. There will be times to draw the line between friend and superior, but both have to know that the line exists.

Hell ya there is ... I see it almost everyday a bmsn can get away with almost murder but the moment a undes Sn tries it they get yell at or sent up. It's shitty but the way navy works.

Yes

Of course, it happens all the time; as it was stated in a previous comment; it also happens in the civilian world too. I went into the Army as a 25 year old private (blank collar/fuzzy chest depending on who you ask). I constantly had to deal with the pre-conceived notion that I didn't know anything regardless of the fact that I had held several jobs prior to the Army and and also took some college classes (decided to join to reap the benefits of TA/GI bill as well as to pay down some debt because of my previous college experience).

Fortunately enough, I ended up with some great NCO's/officers that looked at my maturity level as well as my former background and challenged me based on that and not just my rank.

It would behoove any leader to look at the depth chart of their units and recognize the talent and experience that their soldiers have and staff accordingly.

P.S. To all the junior soldiers out there, make sure to respect the rank that a person holds, but don't allow someone to intimidate you with it either. I'm not saying to 'check up' on someone on some nonsense, but don't allow someone to make you do something unethical just because they hold a hhigher rank. If someone is trying to get you to do something wrong, tell your first line supervisor (or another person you trust) and stand your ground. If you're right, It will work out for you. I've dealt with situations in which a higher ranking person had tried to get me to do something unethical; I stood my ground, and they got in trouble, not me.

Quartermasters: in God we trust; all others must sign.

Rankism happens on a daily basis. Privates are automatically thought of as less intelligent because we don't have the rank. It's not the fault of anyone in particular, I think it's a stereotype like any other. There are times though where the opinions and perspectives of lower enlisted need to be heard. When they're not, it is not the fault of the Army or anything besides the current chain of command.

It's not discrimination! It's called being a newbie! 2Lts and new E-4s and below have to prove themselves just the way it is. But then again I am retired and old school. : )

Sergeant achille