As a leader, subordinates have to respect your rank. Does it matter to you if they respect you as a person so long as orders are followed?

Great question CPL Henderson. You are correct in the fact subordinates have to respect your rank. In a perfect world most leaders expect subordinates to respect you as a person, however as leaders we have to ensure mission first, Soldiers always. This means we also have to take the hard right over the easy wrong. We try our best to council, mentor, and develop our subordinates. Sometimes this means you have to be stern, fair and honest. As long as you as a leader are ensuring you are fair and impartial to your subordinates. As a military leader it essential we effectively train , council, develop, and mentor our Soldiers to be effective in our mission. It would be great if they respected us as leaders, but at the end of the day as long as they perform their duties and follow orders. I as a leader have done my job. As a professional we cannot expect our subordinates to be our friends. One day we may have to order them to do something that could lead to their death. We must remain objective so we can effectively accomplish the mission.

If your subordinates don't respect you then they'll never follow you. They'll obey your orders and that will get about as much compliance as the workers in the movie Office Space.
When they respect you, they will follow you. They'll look to you for guidance, mentorship, and inspiration. Subordinates who don't respect you are personnel who show up and drone through work. Subordinates who do respect you will be encouraged to grow and reach their full potential. They are the ones who will take initiative to correct issues as they arise, or even as they are foreseen. You are creating future leaders.

In short, the difference between whether it matters if you have your subordinates respect or not, is the difference between good leadership and not-good leadership.

I never had a problem with soldiers following my instructions. Never had to say this is an order. They new it was a order. I was respected. As a GS 12 I had numerous captains worked for me. Automatic since I was their rater.