What is the most important position in the military?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 17:36:54 -0500

All service members are important and have their own piece of the pie needed to make the military effective, but what would be the one position/rank that we would suffer from not having?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2013 10:29 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 10:29:46 -0500

In my opinion, I would say the Squad Leader/Team Leader (E-5/E-6) is the most important leader and the company commander is the most important commander in the military. These leaders are close enough to the Soldiers to make a difference but high enough to set a wide spread example.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2013 10:53 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 10:53:01 -0500

Important to whom?  If it's important to the soldiers then I'd say the company level leaders like the Squad Leader, PL, PLT SGT, 1SG, CDR.  If you are asking which is the most tactically important, I'd say the CO CDR, BN CDR, BN S3, BN/BDE S2.  If you are talking strategic importance, then it's the General Officers and their NCO counterparts.  I don't think you can really nail it down to one position without a more detailed question.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Nov 7 at 2013 2:11 PM

CMC Robert Young — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 14:11:35 -0500

Sir, difficult to say without defining the parameters more clearly. If we are talking tactically (a boots on the ground to meet mission approach) then it's at the E5/6 level. Those mid career service members who drive immediate mission/task completion. There should be due regard accorded to company grade officers as well in this arena.

However, if we consider strategic issues, it has to be somebody who sees the organization at the 50,000 foot level, and has what it takes to lead the service as a whole. Clearly these are flag officers and their respective CSMs, and CMCs.

It's probably about perspective.

Response by SSG Matt Murphy made Nov 7 at 2013 4:42 PM

SSG Matt Murphy — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 16:42:26 -0500

If you are the trooper who is in command, on any given site, at any given moment, YOU are the most important leader.

Response by CPT Gary Jugenheimer made Nov 7 at 2013 5:06 PM

CPT Gary Jugenheimer — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 17:06:54 -0500

This will whack quite a few of you but would you consider each individual as a leader? Every person in the unit has a responsibility to perform his/her expected duties to the highest level possible...if this is not done, the mission will suffer and the common strength to perform as a unit will be lost...each individual has an important contribution to the success of the unit and this contribution is the essence of leadership!

Response by SSG Ronald Limbaugh made Nov 25 at 2013 5:32 AM

SSG Ronald Limbaugh — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 05:32:18 -0500

I would have to agree with the answer of Team leader. In most cases, the Team Leader (at least from an 11B, enlisted, perspective) is the first leader that a Soldier is introduced to and interacts with the most. A good Team Leader, that leads by example and sets the standard will influence a good portion of that Soldiers' career, whether it is just a two year enlistment or a twenty-plus year career. Many of the leadership qualities and standards that I tend to still try to emulate today, were what I saw in my first Team Leader (a CPL), with the 101st. I would hazard a guess concerning the commissioned side of the fence in saying that SQD LDRS, PLT SGTs, and CO CDRS may hold an equally important role when it comes to molding the beginning stages of an officers' career. Some of the first lessons and habits we learn when we come into the military tend to be the ones that stick with us the longest, good or bad. Just my humble opinion from my side of the foxhole...

Response by SFC Christopher Walker, MAOM, DSL made Nov 26 at 2013 9:50 AM

SFC Christopher Walker, MAOM, DSL — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 09:50:10 -0500

On the enlisted side, I would say squad leader and platoon
sergeant. Doing this time, all Soldiers look up to you for purpose, direction,
motivation, inspiration, counseling and mentorship. Your Soldiers will remember
you for the rest of their lives. You only have one opportunity to take of your
Soldiers. When you fell to not care the first time, you will lose all of the
above attributes (in their eyes) I mentioned above. Be a leader and take of
care of ALL Soldiers. They deserve that leadership.

Response by SFC James Baber made Nov 26 at 2013 1:35 PM

SFC James Baber — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 13:35:18 -0500

I would have to agree with Team Leader, they are the first line of leadership for most new and young Soldiers looking for guidance and mentorship from a learning standpoint.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2013 2:48 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 14:48:49 -0500

That team leader is nothing without his SL who is nothing without his PSG who is nothing without his 1SG etc. The PL relies upon the CO'ss intent who relies upon the BC's intent who relies on the BDE CO's intent etc.

At the tactical level, The SL and the CO. However, they aren't even in the fight without the strategic thinking that happens at the 3-star and 4-star level so those dudes are pretty darned important as well.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2013 1:43 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 01:43:02 -0500

The Squad/Team leader is the most important leadership position. I say that because they are key to how new Soldiers straight from AIT will perceive NCO's for the rest of their career. SL/TL's have the authority to almost single-handedly shape young Soldier's lives. But the most influential position has got be the 1SG.

Response by Cpl David Hall made Mar 6 at 2014 11:40 PM

Cpl David Hall — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 23:40:24 -0500

The General:

Faster than a speeding bullet,

More powerful than a locomotive,

Leaps over tall buildings with a single bound,

Walks on water, and

Talks with God

The Colonel:

Just as fast as a speeding bullet,

More powerful than a switch engine,

Leaps over small buildings with a single bound,

Walks on water when it's calm, and

Talks with God on special occasions

The Lt Col:

Faster than a speeding BB,

Loses a tug-of-war with a switch engine,

Leaps over small buildings with a running start,

Swims well, and

Listens at a distance to the voice of God.

The Major:

Can load a gun properly,

Plays with train sets,

Leaps over Quonset huts with a running start,

Can do the Dog Paddle, and

Sometimes pays attention to what the Lt. Col. says,

The Captain:

Is not issued ammunition for fear of self-inflicted injury,

Recognizes a locomotive two out of three times,

Runs into buildings,

Can wade through water less than four feet deep, and

Pays no attention to what the Major says.

The Lieutenant:

Wets himself with a water pistol,

Says "Look at the Choo Choo,"

Trips over steps when entering buildings,and

Doesn't even notice when the Captain says something.

The NCO:

Catches bullets in his teeth and spits them out,

Kicks trains off the tracks,

Picks up buildings and walks underneath, and

Freezes water with a single glance,

He is GOD!

Response by SPC(P) Nathan Stewart made Mar 13 at 2014 7:23 PM

SPC(P) Nathan Stewart — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:23:27 -0400

CW1-CW5

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Mar 15 at 2014 3:31 AM

SSG Mike Angelo — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 03:31:39 -0400

Squad Leader because he/she has more than a bakers dozen to supervise, while a Platoon Sgt has 4 squad leaders to supervise, 1st Sgt has about 5 to 7 personnel to supervise; SMajor has up to 7 1st Sgts to supervise. My point is that at the first line supervisor level, the strain of the interpersonal relationships and personnel control is the heaviest at the Squad Leader level.

Response by SPC Michael Hunt made Mar 23 at 2014 3:05 AM

SPC Michael Hunt — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 03:05:05 -0400

Agree, first line leaders to teach the newbs how to lead one day.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Mar 24 at 2014 8:52 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 20:52:43 -0400

I would say whoever is the one person in charge of running the war (assuming we are in one).

This may not be popular to say given the focus on decentralized leadership, but you can have a weak team leader and the squad leader can pick up slack. You can have a weak Platoon Leader and the Platoon Sergeant can pick up the slack. But if you have a head of a war that adopts a fundamentally flawed strategy, or just lacks the strategic vision, all the efforts of those tactical leaders will not add up to victory. That's why I say if I had to pick exactly ONE position of leadership of greatest importance, it would actually be at the very top.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Apr 12 at 2014 8:03 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 20:03:49 -0400

Sir, I would have to say that SGT, the NCO's they are the first line defense, to what right looks like.

The next generation of Officers and junior Enlisted are mentored and developed by the SGT's and SSG's.

The heart of the Military and the backbone of the Army are the NCO's!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2014 5:46 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 17:46:35 -0400

All of the above.

I suppose it depends on how you ask the question.

I don't think it can quantified well. Each position has their own merits, and is part of the overall effective span of control in the organization. One should not be looked at as being more important than the other.

I believe what positions have more impact on the growth and development of the younger ranks. It will be at the unit level where this happens. A young airman's career is largely going to be shaped by the mentorship and guidance of their junior NCO supervisors and the which is projected from the unit commander to through the senior NCO's. The Senior NCO's will play a large part in the professional development in the fact that they have been in the young airman's position at one time. They know what it takes to succeed in being the bet technical expert in their job and eventually become the subject matter expert to pass on the guidance to the next generation.

I would say it starts at the top and trickles down if any one the links are broken then the mission fails. The chiefs of staff of the services project their vision on how they want the service to operate and carry out the mission. Than it flows down to the major command headquarters who are charged with executing their specific mission this trickles down to the unit level. The unit commanders are tactically charged with carrying out the mission. Each commander has their own vision on how they see that the mission is accomplished within the constraints of higher HQ directives.

No one position can be more or less important than the other. Obviously the Chief of Staff of the service has a very difficult role in running the larger organization. However, the organization as a whole will fall apart if the lower echelons are not meeting the mission. A good example of this is how the Air Force has been dealing with the nuclear issues. The lower level units are not performing to the expected level of the higher leadership. At the same time the higher level leadership has possibly failed in their ability to affect their span of control in a manner that gets the job done correctly. The lower levels fail because they lack the skills, training and effective guidance to do their job at the required level.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Sep 15 at 2014 11:59 AM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 11:59:12 -0400

This will sound like an Army thing because I use the word Soldier but being a leader 365/24/7 as a Soldier first. A position to me has meaning, but it doesn't make a leader at all. The best leader is one who embodies every facet of being a Soldier who lives the Values, Ethos and Profession of Arms. I once was seeking a position to be a company commander as a warrant officer (rare) and sat down to lunch with a officer I very much respected. Finally after all the time lining and discussion, he said simply, "it is not the job you hold, but how well you do the job you have". There has been no truer words said as evidenced by my career path to date.

I believe taking care of Soldier, Sailors, Marines and Airmen, anyone who needs guidance, assistance, help and your example of leadership is the best position. Sometimes that may be a simple "On the Spot" in public that re-cages someone's gyro if you know what I mean.

Having had the opportunity over a mere 27 years of service, I have to say the company level is where leadership is the bedrock. At battalion and above, it is rare and only a few positions that influence the entire body of the unit. Now IF the folks in those positions are naturals and make an effort they will be followed and remembered as leaders.

Take this one step further, ask anyone who they admire as a leader or standard bearer. DO they mention a 4 star general or an NCO or PLT LDR?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 15 at 2014 1:28 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 13:28:58 -0400

Used to be the Mess SGT before we outsourced all the food service.

Response by Cpl Matthew Wall made Sep 15 at 2014 1:37 PM

Cpl Matthew Wall — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 13:37:13 -0400

I would say the Team Leader/Squad Leader (E3-E5). The Platoon Sgt (E5-E-6) is also important, but being an 0311 I didn't notice too much from these guys. It was mainly the Squad Leaders and Team Leaders that came up with the movement and how the operation was to be carried out. The LT just said we need to do this and the Platoon Sgt. relayed that to the SL/TL and they made it happen. Occasionally, the TL is the one that conducted the patrols while the SL just observed. So at its root level I believe that these 2 positions are the most valuable for leadership.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Sep 15 at 2014 1:49 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 13:49:19 -0400

First line supervisor. You are the first line of guidance, mentorship and correction. You can have the best Flight, Squadron, Group, Wing, etc Commanders and Chief's but that group of first line supervisors is where Airman are truly grown, molded and shaped to get the mission done.

Response by CSM Tony Bowen made Sep 15 at 2014 3:13 PM

CSM Tony Bowen — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 15:13:05 -0400

As a 28 year Veteran from PVT to CSM and an old Infantry Soldier I have to go with SSG. Most of the time I had SPC's/CPL's as well as young SGT's as Team Leaders and they still needed a lot of maturing. Not very often did we do team missions in the field but Squad missions and we were mostly independent from the Platoon so that's my two cents on that. I will tell you that the best two and most fun I had in my career was that of Squad Leader and 1SG. Squad Leader because I felt like I really made a difference and 1SG because it was so challenging trying to keep a CPT straight as well as his XO and PL's and then on top of that getting my SFC's ready for more challenging positions rather it was as a 1SG or a Staff job.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2014 2:23 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 02:23:51 -0400

I agree Sir!
As a 1SG I loved my time with team leaders. They are truly the backbone of the NCO Corps. We empower them with so much and I believe they need the most guidance.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2014 5:45 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 17:45:50 -0500

If I can choose only one, it's the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff.

Then each of the Chiefs of Staff for the Services.

These GOs/FOs represent the military and are critically important to our success. They advocate and they represent. And, most of all, they get noticed by politicians (for example) and others.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2015 5:03 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 05:03:33 -0500

Chief Montgomery nailed it.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2015 5:37 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 05:37:58 -0500

Front Leaning Rest!

Oh wait . . .

Response by MSgt Jim Pollock made Feb 13 at 2015 5:39 AM

MSgt Jim Pollock — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 05:39:19 -0500

I think it's a moving target. On the day OBL was killed, I'd argue those special operators were the most important. On another day it could be a fighter pilot putting bombs on target to salvage a ground mission gone bad. Yet another day could see the CJCS negotiating for needed funding taking the title. I don't think any position or rank is most important every day.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2015 6:49 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 06:49:54 -0500

Easy...Recruiters and/or Retention NCOs.

Think about it.

Response by SPC Christopher Green made Feb 15 at 2015 8:53 AM

SPC Christopher Green — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 08:53:56 -0500

When I was in, the idea was that there were two MOSs that you always wanted on your good side. Cooks and medics.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 8:54 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 08:54:39 -0500

To me there isn't one. We need the strategist as much as we need the door kicker. But that door kicker can't function without food in his belly and an NCO to teach him. The strategist can't function without Intel and they all need logistics and equipment. And the lawyers make sure everyone is not going to prison. I can't pick one

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Feb 15 at 2015 10:24 AM

CPT Chris Loomis — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 10:24:48 -0500

The E5 "Buck Sergeant." They are the NCO that has the most influence over lower Enlisted Soldiers. They set the example and educate.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 15 at 2015 10:27 AM

SGT Jim Z. — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 10:27:30 -0500

The "Godfather" of the E-4 Mafia is the most important position because without the support of him/her the Army would not move or accomplish much.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 10:33 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 10:33:37 -0500

To narrow that to a single point is virtually impossible. Certainly the "cooks, medics, and payroll" are the most important to the guys on the line, but ultimately getting rid of any one position would change the structure of the military and it's operational capacities. From the ordinary grunt to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, everyone has a piece of the pie. Some people may have to take bigger bites of theirs, but the importance of that piece varies based on where each Soldier/SM fits in. For a medical unit, it may be payroll or our 68W Sustainment NCO, for a door kicker it may be Doc or their team leader or the radioman that is able to bring artillery and CAS birds in and walk them onto the target.
v/r,
CPT Butler

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 10:43 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 10:43:57 -0500

SFC Private RallyPoint Member If there is no policy, people don't care to carry out certain tasks on their own. Even with policy, some people still don't care to enforce certain policy.

Response by SPC Brent Morrison made Feb 15 at 2015 10:45 AM

SPC Brent Morrison — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 10:45:24 -0500

All of them.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 1:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 13:41:40 -0500

Privates. Period. Without privates, nothing would get done. Layout, cleaning, maintaining weapons and Vic's. Who would Srgs train? Who would be there to make them look good? Without privates, the army would collapse on itself. Headfirst. Privates make the army work.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 2:09 PM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 14:09:46 -0500

Too easy....everyone.

You cannot kill the enemy without the maneuver branches, they cannot eat with the food service corps, they cannot fire weapons or drive tanks without the logisticians, they cannot focus on the mission if they are worried about pay, they cannot process any official requests or ensure their admin needs are squared away with the HR folks, etc, etc, etc.

Everyone has a critical role to play. Either you're kicking down the doors or you're supporting the door kickers, you're role is key. When you're state side, whether you know it or not, you're helping to support the training efforts for those who are down range.

For those who believe those with the highest authority matters most, just know a President cannot win war without his troops.

"Everyone" matters most. The moment we realize that absolute truth, the better we treat and respect one another.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 7:48 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 19:48:56 -0500

Recruits

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2015 12:46 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 00:46:10 -0500

Military families. Whether that be spouses, siblings, parents, or people you call family.

Response by SPC Angel Guma made Feb 16 at 2015 12:19 PM

SPC Angel Guma — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 12:19:04 -0500

The guys writing evaluations. At the moment they are writing evaluations, they are the most important.

Next, all E-3's to E-5s on deployments with a lot of contact with the locals. That E-4 has huge influences over policies, but typically they don't know it since they only ever obey. But given the fact they are the machinery that makes things happen, you can't ignore them.

People within the Good Ol'boys club.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2015 12:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 12:20:34 -0500

I would personally say that a Company 1SG, which is an (E-8) for the Army, is the most important position. Every successful Company or Troop that I've served in has had a strong 1SG. That senior NCO for the Company/Troop is needed in order to ensure the unit operates effectively based on the Commander's intent, which more often than not comes from that 1SG's recommendations. You can't beat a strong Company Command Team in my opinion.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2015 1:04 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 13:04:35 -0400

Leading Petty Officer, regardless of rank, (I think that is Squad Leader to the Army) day to day operations are impossible without. They provide direction and education to the actual workers.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2015 2:56 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 14:56:18 -0400

Whomever can make you have a good day, or a bad day.

Response by CW2 Carl Swanson made Mar 12 at 2015 2:36 PM

CW2 Carl Swanson — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 14:36:23 -0400

From the experiences that I have had during my service, I would have to say hands down that the most important personnel in the military are the mid-grade NCOs (E-5 to E-7).

These are the professionals who are training and supervising the line troops who are accomplishing the mission. These are also the primary trainers of our officer corps when they enter the service and are performing duties at the company grade level.

This group of subject matter experts are the ones who are actually using the systems that have been designed, following (and fixing) the plans that have been laid by rear echelon senior officers and NCOs who are not in contact and are getting to be more worried about reports and memos, and last but not least, they are the ones who are the reason the mission was accomplished (lead by example, enforce the standard, improvise, overcome and adapt).

If it wasn't for the professional NCOs that we have across the services, our military would not be the force that it is.

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Mar 12 at 2015 10:58 PM

SFC Collin McMillion — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 22:58:31 -0400

Pvt's

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 12:30 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 00:30:47 -0400

I would have to say there's two. Bent over grabbing one's ankles. Or bent over spreading one's ass cheeks. Ever heard of BOHICA?

Bend Over Here It Comes Again

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 3:08 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 03:08:38 -0400

Hmm good one lol the godfather persionally i agree that we need them all but we dont need the waiting till there out ones just show them the door and no pay due. Get the next victim in its place and see how it does

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 5:31 AM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 05:31:34 -0400

Most assuredly junior enlisted personel. Without individuals willing to enlist your military dwindles down quickly over time. However having individuals ready, willing, and able to enlist into lower enlisted ranks continually is what builds our military.

Response by PO1 Joan (Tipka) (Plummer) Fisher made Mar 14 at 2015 6:48 AM

PO1 Joan (Tipka) (Plummer) Fisher — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 06:48:44 -0400

There is no right answer here as every job is important and must work as a team. Oh wait is that what the teach us in Boot Camp, how to work as a team? or did i miss something. The Military would suffer if just one position/rank was not there. So no you can't answer this question logically.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 6:51 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 06:51:48 -0400

Ummmmmm................Missionary. I want that eye contact while I'm getting Blue Falconed.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Mar 14 at 2015 8:59 AM

1LT William Clardy — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 08:59:45 -0400

The covered and concealed one with fields of fire covering the most likely avenues of approach?

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Mar 14 at 2015 3:02 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 15:02:29 -0400

The sergeant is the backbone of the military. NCOs is where militaries that systemically fail do so repeatedly. Every nation can field good Officers, every nation can passable to good good frontline troops. NCOs require an educated, intelligent, industrious middle class. Modern technology makes good NCOs mandatory for a successful military, that's why we are so good, and all the countries we've tried to mentor are so bad.

Response by 1SG David Lopez made Mar 18 at 2015 5:25 AM

1SG David Lopez — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 05:25:32 -0400

The Rifleman! Everyone and everything we have is in support of this person! Without this person, no one else would have a job. We all support this American who is the American Boots on the Ground, meets the enemy and destroys him/her. This answer may stir the pot; but think about it. He is our Guy, he has one job, everyone else supports him to do his JOB!

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Aug 3 at 2015 1:18 PM

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 13:18:00 -0400

As the first impression for a young soldier, which in the end is who makes stuff happens, I'd say the Squad/Team Leader (E5).

We tell them what to do, they see us make stuff happen, we are their mentors, we are tasked to make sure they are safe and sound at all times, we're the ones that determine if their weekend will be an easy or a hard one, etc.