Were you able to learn from all ranks; or from just those who outranked you?

VERY, VERY GOOD ADVICE; COL Mikel J. Burroughs. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU FOR NOT THINKING THAT YOU WERE BETTER THAN YOUR SUBORDINATES; BECAUSE OF YOUR RANK.
YOU MAKE A SUPERB COLONEL; SIR.

I was absolutely able to learn from all ranks.  One of the most influential people that I give credit to for a lot of my knowledge, not so much my MOS, but simply the basic military side of being an NCO was someone who started out as an NCO to me, and then ended up one of my Battles at my last duty station.  This guy is simply one of the best NCOs that I have ever met and he taught me HOW to BE an NCO, both as I was coming up and then later as we were peers and how to be a LEADER to my guys.  To this day, I would go back to work for him because he is one of those that I would "follow to hell and back."  Then there have been peers when I was a Joe, that I relied on heavily, who taught me so much on the tank and HOW to tank.  Then when I got promoted and moved on up and they did not because they were not interested, they would Gun for me and still teach me stuff.  One of my best Tank Gunneries was DUE to one of my best SPC, Gunners who to this day is a good friend and a great Soldier.  Now as I am starting recruiting, for the most part, all I have is junior NCOs who are waiting to get promoted but HAVE EXPERIENCE so I rely on them for information, and I have peers who I rely on for their knowledge.  Yes, my Center Commander who is a SFC is a great asset and my 1SG, who I NEVER see is a source that I can turn to, however in reality those that are my rank or junior to me are the ones that I have to rely on for success.  So, on the line there is those Soldiers that you can use their knowledge of certain areas, and when not on the line you had BETTER be able to swallow your pride and be willing to take information from those that you outrank (either in TIG/TIS or actual rank) or you will fail in the long run.  When I was the Platoon Sergeant of a HQ Platoon in HI, I had my Tankers, Mortarmen, Snipers, Commo, Supply and Infantry.  While I know my ins and outs of Tanking and have done a LOT of Tankfantry in combat, the mortar, Sniper, Commo, and Supply world were all areas that I supervised and had to learn from.  Once again, although I supervised that entire platoon, being willing to learn made me a better, well rounded leader I believe in the end.  (Thankfully that is not my world anymore, I am happy to be in the recruiting world now, let someone else handle my PSG job)

YOU are just OUTSTANDING, as both a soldier and as a man; are you not, SFC (Join to see).
I served during the Cold War; so I never saw combat. Honestly, Sergeant, I don't understand a lot of what you are talking about; but then again- I wouldn't.
But, WHAT A LEADER YOU ARE!!
And I cannot believe how many different kinds of soldiers you led as a Platoon Sergeant. You are a man that can handle a LOT of responsibility.
You respect others, see the good in them and learn from them. KUDOS, Sergeant!!

Sgt Joe LaBranche, VERY TRUE.

I learned from all ranks, surprisingly more from lower ranks.

Thanks for being so honest with us; COL Mikel J. Burroughs. It really doesn't matter what rank you learn from; as long as you learn. Good for you!

GOOD FOR YOU; SGT Kris Larsh. It doesn't matter, does it, if they are lower ranking than you are....does it? They still have knowledge and can give out good advice.

THANK YOU, TSgt David L..

I am VERY impressed by You TSgt David L.; and your answer.
I never served in combat; so I did NOT KNOW that LIVES COULD HANG IN THE BALANCE; if one does not speak up.
Neither did I know that the best way to defeat an IED, would be for someone to "make a joke or simply comment." (I Think that that is what you meant, David. Maybe I am completely wrong; and I sound like a fool. Please advise.
GOOD FOR YOU FOR LEARNING FROM EVERY RANK; DAVID!!!

SPC Margaret Higgins - "Neither did I know that the best way to defeat an IED, would be for someone to "make a joke or simply comment." (I Think that that is what you meant, David. Maybe I am completely wrong; and I sound like a fool. Please advise."

Nope, you got it right. A simple thought could trigger an idea on a way to approach or attack a problem. Out of the mouth of babes. Sometimes it is the junior guy or gal who isn't stuck in the "way we always do it" who has a fresh idea.