What Rank Was The Most Challenging But Rewarding?

Warrent Officer. Learning to be invisible was difficult

Warrant Officer

E-5 was the most testing and rewarding

The most amazing challenging rank was first sergeant. It is the responsibility to take care of the troops and at the same time punish them for misbehavior, such as article 15. On the other side there is the helping of soldiers and/or their dependents. I remember helping a family of five get food stamps and better usage a good thing and then on the other hand had to put soldier out of the service because of use of drugs, a bad thing knowing he had four dependents.

I was told, you act to be the next rank above. With that said I think sgt is the most challenging and rewarding. you have a team of Marines to be responsible for and you can make recommendation to higher which influence more then lower ranking Marines

SP4 US ARMY

corporal E4 was indeed the hardest because the huge change to become a better example and the big increase in responsibility. This was the first time I had people that I was responsible for. Also, the need to reprimand and ensure all our orders and directions were followed. As a Marine corporal you become an NCO which is the lowest level of the command chain, and we all know that Sh-- rolls downhill.

Corporal. Becoming a young leader of the same friends you were led with is confusing at first, but over time teaches you more responsibility and accountability.

I pick E5, Second Class Electrician's Mate. It coincided roughly with a new assignment, to a surface ship, an APA. I was immediately appointed lead of our electrical gang. Although we were busy, it was not oppressive. The Division Officer was outstanding, work was well-defined, the gang was experienced, the job almost ran itself. But for easy-going me, it was still a challenge. Some interesting challenges were more contact with the Os, dealing with leaders of other divisions, and with civilians. Later, a new, higher rated member got the job. But he was a flake, and I still ended up with the responsibility. There were perks, however: no mandatory watches (I took some to ease the burden on other members of my duty section), probably more respect than I deserved, and thankfully, I was in a perfect rank niche. E6s had to stand quarterdeck watches, had their own mess, which meant I would have been a runt in the company of some obnoxious characters, and not have the continuing challenges for professional development that we workers had. I really loved doing the electrical work. When I passed the E6 exam, it was a bit of a relief to learn that I had to extend a month to get the rate. I declined, for good reasons, and all was well. Later, back on a boat (Yippee!), 2nd class was also a decent rate to have. But in the long run, the answer is really: civilian.

I would pick E5, Second Class Electrician's Mate. It coincided roughly with a new assignment, to a surface ship, an APA. I was immediately appointed lead of our electrical gang. Although we were busy, it was not oppressive. The work was well-defined, the gang was experienced, the job almost ran itself. But for easy-going me, it was still a challenge. Later, a new, higher rated member got the job. But he was a flake, and I still ended up with the responsibility. There were perks, however: no mandatory watches ( I took some to ease the burden on other members of my duty section), probably more respect than I deserved, and thankfully, I was in a perfect rank niche. E6s had to stand quarterdeck watches, had their own mess, which meant I would have been in the company of some obnoxious characters, and did not have the continuing opportunities for professional development that we workers had. When I passed the E6 exam, it was a bit of a relief to learn that I had to extend a month to get the rate. I declined, for good reasons, and all was well. Later, back on a boat (Yippee!), 2nd class was also a decent rate to have. But in the long run, the answer is really: civilian.