What about gaining rank make personalities change?

My very short, and entirely unsuccessful, stint as an Infantry team leader was due in part to my unwillingness to change my personality. I didn't have the knowledge or the maturity at the time to anticipate the difficulties I'd encounter when suddenly put in charge of my roommate and another good friend. I think a personality change, even a faked one, would have gone a long way toward helping in that situation.

I needed to gain a separation in order to be able to lead and exert any kind of authority and I was just too young and dumb to realize that.

At the end of the day, this private was still a private...

The responsibility made me change immensely. It stressed me out at first. My first real taste of leadership was when I made E5, I was given a squad of 88Ms and still in control of my arms room, as well as communications person, and a million other things. When I didn't have Soldiers under me, it was easier, no doubt. When I took over the squad, it took me a few days to adjust. I was also able to train my Soldiers to do my additional duties. It helped me out immensely and my Soldiers thrived on learning. I am not better than anyone, and I am the first to tell people that. We are Soldiers first, then leaders. My time in is hit or miss. At 6 years in, I still feel green compared to my peers. Most staffs have well over ten years in.

In my case I came up through the ranks prior to commissioning so I deffinitely saw a change with each one. As a private I was young and out for a good time working my way up to specialist I did see a boost in confidence and was eager to share with newer soldiers but there was still that immaturity factor. I saw the most positive change once I became an NCO. Through leadership training and increased responsibility I did see a change in my confidence and it made me a better soldier and leader. I did have to humble myself and keep in mind that I didn't know it all and had to take criticism as an opportunity to improve and not with negativity. Now as an officer I keep my experiences, and the examples of those leaders that did let it get to their heads at the front of my mind because in order to be a good leader you have to know that you can't know everything and therefore must be able to be humble and ask for assistance. So while you can see a negative change in some, it only means they aren't as strong and confident as they project and might not deserve the rank that has been awarded