Should Senior Officers and NCOs be afforded respect at their children's schools?

2014-11-28T03:00:23-05:00

I ask since many times Senior Officers and NCOs are treated rudely. Now, senior leaders should have self-control with an especially vitriolic or stubborn school staff.
In Tampa, I had to call teachers and explain how Crohns Disease and Colitis is an emergency bathroom run. But even at DODDS schools you have run-ins, but shouldn't the teacher know the demographics?

And seeing how it is the military community affects the teachers and school boards livelihood, should deference be paid to Colonels and CSM, 1Sgts, Warrant Officers? And not particularly in that order. lol

Response by SPC(P) Thomas Beliveau made Nov 28 at 2014 6:28 AM

2014-11-28T06:28:51-05:00

I may be misunderstanding the question, but since when are civilians enforced to pay deference to the military? They outrank us all. That being said, respect is respect, but to civilians, the SMA is no one special.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Nov 28 at 2014 11:21 AM

2014-11-28T11:21:46-05:00

Why just Sr Officers and Nco's??? shouldnt all military personal get the same respect?? with out the soldiers there would be no Armed forces because the upper ranks damn sure arent crawling through the mud and doing other dirty jobs, are they???

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2014 1:14 PM

2014-11-28T13:14:48-05:00

In a civilian school, they should get the same respect that ANY human being deserves, and not a bit more. O-6s and above, as well as E-9s get their asses kissed enough on base. They are people, and citizens, just like a Lt or E-3. Military courtesies exist for, and within the military and the DoD.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2016 12:55 AM

2016-07-09T00:55:32-04:00

In my opinion, once you walk through the doors of a school that is not a military school, you take off your rank. You are simply the parent of a child in that school, any expectations of special treatment based on rank is abuse of said rank. While you may expect other military to address you by rank and be professional, I'm not standing at attention/parade rest to talk to another parent at my child's school, I'm not deferring to another parent to be taken care of first based on rank, etc. And you have zero expectations of your rank meaning anything to the teachers.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jun 25 at 2020 10:19 PM

2020-06-25T22:19:09-04:00

No more so than any other parent. Just as spouses do not wear rank, neither do their children. A service members rank has no relevance when dealing with "civilian" matters. That said... all of the adults need to remember they are THE adults and that the kids are watching and learning. Polite civil discourse should be the ONLY acceptable conduct.