Which rank do you think gets the most overconfident? At what point in that rank?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 23:59:16 -0500

We all have our own opinion of which rank becomes the most overconfident and think that they cannot do wrong, even if they are way off. So what rank do you feel that is and at what point? Is it SGT the first year, 1LT after 3 months, SFC, CPT,....? What do you think and why?

Response by CMC Robert Young made Dec 15 at 2014 12:00 AM

CMC Robert Young — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 00:00:46 -0500

Coast Guard E4s because that is the transition from grunt to leadership. Too many people think that they have arrived. Fortunately it is typically a short lived phenomenon because of the flack they catch for allowing their attitude to outrun their appitude.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2014 12:01 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 00:01:24 -0500

I've seen my fair share of 'untouchable' E-7s who are quick to belt out it takes an act of congress

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2014 12:58 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 00:58:14 -0500

I would have to say hands down it's the rank of SGM. Once you get there you swear up and down that you wrote every regulation in the Army, and then get mad if someone prints out the correct guidance from the reg, lol!!! Some, not all of course.

Response by SPC Charlie Robinson made Jun 10 at 2018 12:06 PM

SPC Charlie Robinson — Sun, 10 Jun 2018 12:06:14 -0400

When I was in the Army, in my opinion, other than 2nd Lt., it would be the next grade, period. At least for a few weeks or months.

Response by SSgt Jimmy Jackson made Jun 10 at 2018 3:35 PM

SSgt Jimmy Jackson — Sun, 10 Jun 2018 15:35:02 -0400

There is a reason they call it the E-4 Mafia....I hear.

Response by LCpl Jason C. Willis made Jun 10 at 2018 3:39 PM

LCpl Jason C. Willis — Sun, 10 Jun 2018 15:39:28 -0400

Hand down that Corporal of Marines...

Highest potential for being a cocky, self absorbed, over confident, unit morale destroying, buddy fucking, shit bird.

The only reason you exist is to fill the gap between E-3 and E-5 one of us needs to calm the fuck down...

Toxic leadership has to be stomped out right there. Makes a huge difference in what they become as they move forward.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jun 10 at 2018 10:06 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sun, 10 Jun 2018 22:06:09 -0400

In some cases a new 1st Lt who now thinks He knows more than He did as a 2nd Lt. , in the same token sometimes a brand new NCO. Confidence is good, overconfidence without experience though can be self defeating and backfire. At these early stages You have learned but the learning process is still far from over. Granted there are people that do excel in these ranks but they know they still have much to learn. If You ever stop learning even at more senior ranks You are still not going to be effective. Sometimes however the Peter Principle applies where people reach their level of incompetence and are going no further.

Response by LTC James McElreath made Jun 11 at 2018 4:00 PM

LTC James McElreath — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 16:00:05 -0400

I believe it to be CSM's and Col's

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Jun 11 at 2018 4:50 PM

SGT Patrick Reno — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 16:50:00 -0400

Spec 4. Authority without responsibility. Brian do you think that Major is the Spec 4 of the officer corps?