Should the military implement a policy of professional Privates?

MAJ (Join to see) - Now with Japan, the Apology Tour continues

I believe we are talking about the Peter Principle". The Peter principle, states that people are promoted to their level of incompetence, suggests that something is fundamentally misaligned in the promotion process.

SGT Jerrold Pesz - When I went Army from the Navy/USMC, I hd to do Army Basic. The Co Cdr was a CPT who was and OCS guy. The XO was a mustang 1LT with 3 PH's, a Stilver Star and multiple Bronze Stars with V among SIX rows of ribbons. The Co Cdr had a ND service ribbon. Despite all that 1LT's experience as an Infantryman, he was being RIF'd. That was in 1971. Why such things are done without consideration of EXPERIENCE boggles my mind.

SSG (Join to see) - the Democrats give workers, and the military, a lot of lips service, but as I recall Carter, the peanut farmer as President, was so lackluster regarding the military that we had to ration gasoline; didn't have ammo for required annual weapons qualification, and then there's the debacle of the attempt to rescue our hostages in Iran. That failure was due in no small part due to aircraft maintenance issues; those due to the same - lack of funds to maintain readiness.
Clinton's Somolia debacle.
Then we have Obama who OPENLY stated he was going to shut-down the coal industry and power plants. Yet, the United Mine Workers endorsed and supported him, shooting themselves in their proverbial foot.
Yes, the Democrats support the military ... only with rhetoric.

I once wrote an EER suggesting that an SFC led from the authority he derived as the senior member of the rear rank!

I think we all knew NCO's who would have been good Privates as well. Not many thankfully, but enough to be a detriment to any unit's readiness. Not only readiness suffers, but so does morale. I knew many buck SGT's who had more courage to do what's right, than a few Sr NCO's, despite the former's experience level. I will say though, with one lone exception, EVERY officer from butter bars to full Birds and the CG of Walter Reed, were all true leaders.

The "Up-or-Out" method of force reduction is kicking a lot of people to the curb. The smaller the unit, usually the better the morale, in my experience.

Sounds a lot like our National Guard. I'm constantly surprised to see 40 yr old PFC's and SPC's.

SGT (Join to see) - Agreed! The "Up or Out" method can/did have disasterous effects on unit morale. I've seen SSG's booted who were truly great soldiers ... and often, their replacements were far less productive. As an MP, I was on the list for SFC and was NOT looking forward to ending up as a desk jockey. I had to get out for family reasons at the end of my 3rd Enlistment. It made it a bit easier knowing I wouldn't spend the next 8 years or more, in some admin position. Lord knows, I loved being a line MP and mentoring young soldiers.

SSG Bill McCoy - Well understood. Many people are most effective in a position that isn't the highest position available to them. And vertical promotion isn't the only way to progress. Join the pro-Specialist ranks discussion if you haven't already.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/should-the-army-bring-back-the-specialist-titles