When was the last time a Senior NCO stepped in for you or you stepped in for a subordinate?

Had this happen in Sub School. Was an E5 (Instructor) that had an E6 (Student) giving me a hard time because I was Junior. Senior Chief (E8) and the Master Chief (E9) had a little conference with him and I. Told the E6 that he was surprised that E6 would talk to HIM that way. E6 said "Never Master Chief". Master Chief said "BS" "You basically told the CO the same thing as this Petty Officer represents both of us when he is instructing." "Surprised the Petty Officer didn't jack you up then and there but he was being polite your Rank. If this shit happens again, you WILL be thrown out of class and escorted to your boat by ME!" "Get the Hell out of here!"

First time I ever had a superior stand up for me. Made me proud of my Navy.

Actually, I think you are looking at this all wrong.... Chief wants the LT to leave so he can do a little "wall to wall" counseling... That's what I would do. and when we were done it would be back to work, no further action required.
Chief doesn't want to protect the young sailor.... he wants to club him in the head without any witnesses.

Long time ago, but for me it was when I was a newly minted PO-2 (E-5 for you non-seafaring types). I was lead LORAN A tech and standing watch at the time. (For you lubberly types, LORAN stands for Long Range Aid to Navigation and operating tolerances were very tight with guaranteed availability something like 99.9%. This enabled highly accurate navigation in the days before Sat Nav and was used by both the Navy and Air Force as well as commercially. Sadly, it was discontinued in 2010 leaving us with no backup to a very vulnerable system, but that is another story.) Anyhew ... I was on watch, and our Warrant officer came into the building and decided to do a snap inspection . Disregarding SOP, he yanked open the drawer on a timer, the on air timer. This in turn caused the transmitter to trip off air as well. After a minute or two of scrambling and swearing, our once perfect operating month now ruined. I rounded on the Warrant and said, "If you ever touch my equipment again without checking with me first I'll kick your ass!" Yea I was referred to NJP or as we called it Captain's Mast.

Well the day came, and I dressed up in my best set of dress blues, and reported to the CO's office promptly on time. Just before we went in the SCPO (E-8) pulled me aside and said, "Just say yes sir, no sir, let me handle this." The WO presented his charges and testimony and the CO turned to me and asked me if I had anything to add, "No sir." "Is what Mr. XXXXX said accurate?" "Yes sir." "Do you have anything to say for yourself?" "No sir." At that point the Senior Chief stepped in and said "Sir I would like to speak on PO Dougherty's behalf." The CO gave him permission and the Senior Chief then said, "In my opinion I believe PO Dougherty showed admirable restraint." "How do you figure chief?" "If I had been there I would have kicked his ass! Mr. XXXX was seriously negligent." The CO shook his head with a slight grin on his face, and said "PO Dougherty you are dismissed. Chief, Mr. XXXX I would like to talk to you privately."

Not sure what was said in that private talk, but the rest of the time he was there Mr. XXXX never touched a piece of my equipment while I was there. Think back perhaps the most aggravating part was that our equipment was always immaculate inside and out, we took great pride in keeping it spotless,and identifying problems before they occurred. When a piece did go down unexpectedly we took very personally, and Mr. XXXX knew that or as Electronics Officer should have.