At what enlisted rank is the greatest impact made on troops? Why do you think so?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 12:05:26 -0400

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Mar 10 at 2019 12:28 PM

SPC Casey Ashfield — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 12:28:40 -0400

It depends. Do you want quality or quantity? The most troops or the bigger impact on a smaller number? For quantity that would be SMA. For the most impact on a small number that would be a SGT or SSG at the team or squad level. I have worked along some great NCOs who were SNCO level but stayed at that SPC/SGT/SSG level to stay with and train THEIR men. And that is something that is very difficult to replace.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 10 at 2019 12:29 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 12:29:51 -0400

E4. At this point, you are the soldier you are going to be as far as work ethic, can do, desire to be an NCO, ambition to advance. If you have said F-it all, you decided this at this point. You are either going to ETS or make a drive at becoming an NCO.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Mar 10 at 2019 12:35 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 12:35:29 -0400

SGT/E5 if you ask me. Definitely leading from the foxholes!

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 10 at 2019 12:42 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 12:42:48 -0400

I would say Platoon Sgt. The PSG has direct influence over first line leaders ensuring that they put all of their trainjng to practice. And it is also the last rank in which they are with the troops throughout the day.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 10 at 2019 1:02 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 13:02:30 -0400

E-5 as they work with the troops more. They are where the rubber meets the road.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2019 1:33 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 13:33:20 -0400

E-6. At least the Army. At that point, a Solider is leading a squad as not only the NCOIC, but the sole person in charge (we had an xxIC acronym to describe that but it is not a polite acronym). Also at this point, the Soldier is leading other NCOs (his E-5 team leaders) and he is still directly influencing junior EMs.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Mar 10 at 2019 2:55 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 14:55:12 -0400

The E6 and E7 level. They have the greatest amount of experience and exposure to troops. At that level, lower ranks can pick whom they chose to emulate and model their career after. The E6-E7 level are career soldiers too and are in the army for the long haul.

Response by SGT Kurt Neumann made Mar 10 at 2019 2:56 PM

SGT Kurt Neumann — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 14:56:14 -0400

E5.Toughest.rank.I.believe.You.are.a.tweener.comparing.2.the.jump.from.middle.school.2.highschool.Our.E6s.loved.good.E5s.2.do.some.of.their.duties.etc.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2019 3:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 15:33:55 -0400

I feel like the most direct effect I had was as a SGT. When I was promoted to SSG, I was only in charge of other SGTs who passed on the directions I gave to their teams.
SGTs manage a team, that team is a tight little family. You are in charge of mentoring them into semi functional adults. It's almost like being a teenager and being in charge of all the younger siblings. Sure, the SSG is in charge, but the SGT is there with you all the time, the whole day long. I feel like any rank above SGT, you're just passing guidance down to the people who make it happen.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2019 4:18 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 16:18:28 -0400

Marine sergeants (E-5) are the main link between each Marine and the organization's leadership, and they are responsible for implementing the policies and orders given by officers.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Mar 10 at 2019 6:42 PM

MAJ Jim Woods — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 18:42:39 -0400

E-5 Squad Leader...

Response by CWO3 Dave Alcantara made Mar 10 at 2019 7:39 PM

CWO3 Dave Alcantara — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 19:39:40 -0400

I think it would be E-5, you are at the bridge between junior and senior enlisted.

It was probably my favorite place to be. As we used to say we were too high to be low, but too low to be high.

We spent more time training the junior enlisted, while the E-6’s were being trained for E-7.

Response by PO1 Mike Wallace made Mar 10 at 2019 8:03 PM

PO1 Mike Wallace — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 20:03:05 -0400

Speaking only from the Navy perspective E6. If you as an LPO are doing your job right you are leading from close range while acting in what we use to call the sea daddy role through counseling and directing. Biggest duty is developing leadership from all your sailors.

Response by MAJ Samuel Weber made Mar 10 at 2019 9:48 PM

MAJ Samuel Weber — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 21:48:20 -0400

I would say the Company 1SG has the greatest influence and impact as an enlisted leader. They are the most senior enlisted in the unit, they are responsible for the training, care, and mentorship of all enlisted soldiers within the company. The 1SG is the standard bearer, he/she sets the example for each Soldier to follow. He/she enforced the standard and ensures good order and discipline. Now thier influence doesn’t end there, they coach Platoon Leaders, the XO and serve as the Senior Enlisted Leader to the Commander. I think being a 1SG is the best Enlisted job there is. It’s why they are referred to as the “Top” Soldier!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2019 10:05 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 22:05:39 -0400

I'd say E-5. Folks are finally gaining their bearings as military representatives and are and learning to make decisions. They are also still generally close enough to the junior folks so rapport still exists naturally. Folks feel comfortable talking to them more so than say a SNCO in their unit because they feel closer to them. Although SNCOs have great influence, it's up to the NCO tier to uphold and support the decisions of their leadership. If the NCO doesn't support and enforce those decisions, without complaining about the choices of the senior leaders, morale and trust can be diminished.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2019 9:40 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 09:40:33 -0400

I think Sergeant First Class has the greatest impact because in a line unit, they are in charge of a platoon and they set the tone. They mentor squad leaders who then influence their subordinates to act and perform a certain way. The better the platoon sergeant, the better the platoon. I have experienced this first hand and the impact is profound.

Response by 1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2019 1:58 PM

1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 13:58:29 -0400

The backbone of the Army is your E5s. If the E5s in your platoon suck, then you're pretty much SOL.

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made Mar 12 at 2019 11:17 PM

SrA Daniel Hunter — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 23:17:10 -0400

The rank does not matter other than impact is probably less likely from an E-1 or E-2. We have all likely experienced troops from E-3 to O-9 who have impacted us. For me they all had a few things in common: Integrity, leadership, knowledge, and empathy. Be one of those.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2019 1:44 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 13:44:26 -0400

In USMC it's the first level of contact - Cpls and Sgts.

Response by CSM Scott Pavlock made May 23 at 2019 4:20 PM

CSM Scott Pavlock — Thu, 23 May 2019 16:20:23 -0400

As a retired Division CSM I completely agree. As a Platoon Sergeant I was able to accomplish the most. All of the ranks are important and it will vary by your own assignments. I was Infantry and MP. I feel I did the most as an E7.

Response by PVT Kenneth Krause made May 29 at 2019 6:53 PM

PVT Kenneth Krause — Wed, 29 May 2019 18:53:59 -0400

At training camp.