At what point do we begin to respect the opinions, knowledge, and experience of a service member?

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 13:52:19 -0400

Is it time in service? Is it the years served or how long they were deployed to a combat zone? Is it the rank that they have earned? At what point do we take the words of a service member seriously? It is a difficult question. I can easily say that I probably wouldn't take the knowledge of a young PFC seriously today, but a PFC from Korea or WWII I would definitely listen to. Where is your line?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 1:54 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 13:54:12 -0400

To me, it doesn't matter what rank they are or how long they have been in. If I ask advice, and they provide sound advice, then I take it seriously.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 1 at 2017 2:00 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 14:00:08 -0400

The next great idea can come from anywhere, and anyone. Heck, if anything, listen to the young ones before institutionalization kills their creativity and they're assimilated into the collective. (You assumed there would be no Borg reference in your life today.... you were sadly mistaken)

Response by SGT David T. made Jun 1 at 2017 2:06 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 14:06:21 -0400

Rank does not equal credibility. It all depends on the person. I know I would often ask for advice from the lower enlisted on the best way to do something. This served two purposes. First, it was a sort of sanity check on my decision making. Those stripes weighed down my chest some and reduced the oxygen flow to the brain. So I needed to make sure I retained some semblance of common sense. The second reason was if they were involved in the decision making, that created buy in. Even if I didn't do it the way they suggested, I heard them out, made my decision, and explained why I made the decision I did. This helps to create trust. Sure, they will stand at parade rest and call you Sergeant, but do they respect you as a person and a leader? Respecting the rank is a given, earning their respect is far more important in my opinion. If you earn their respect, there is nothing they wont do for you. Long story short, yes I would listen to an E-1 and respect their opinions, knowledge, and experiences.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jun 1 at 2017 2:24 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 14:24:10 -0400

Any SM that refuses to consider the value of another's opinion based on a metric of rank, TIS, TIG, MOS is a fool and detriment to the unit. I would strive to alter their opinion and understanding with education, examples. If it was not possible, Id strive to end their time in service though attrition.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jun 1 at 2017 2:25 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 14:25:07 -0400

Depends on the situation and Soldier. I can think of several junior Soldiers that I welcomed their input and suggestions because they had proven to be honest, respectful and proficient. Conversely there were a couple senior NCO's I wouldn't take their word if I was standing next to them when something happened, because they had lied about inconsequential things or passed the buck on their troops instead of taking the heat.

Response by SPC David S. made Jun 1 at 2017 2:47 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 14:47:17 -0400

Simple answer respect everyone - even the idiot with no experience. PFC Tommy Franks became General Tommy Franks.

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made Jun 1 at 2017 3:00 PM

SSgt Boyd Welch — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 15:00:29 -0400

I listened for the "ring of truth" in their words. I worked with a guy who was older who was lower rank than me. He was older and I thought that he had enlisted later. He was quiet spoken but had a depth of knowledge that made me want to listen to him. Come to find out, he was busted in rank and lost two stripes for getting drunk and punching an enlisted guy on the job who was grossly disrespectful by all accounts). I found him to be an excellent resource.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jun 1 at 2017 3:05 PM

Maj John Bell — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 15:05:23 -0400

I'm not trying to be glib here. We begin to respect the opinions, knowledge, and experience of a service member, when either the circumstances, or the track record of the service member deserve respect. For some that may be in the first minutes of boot camp or commissioning program; for others it may take years. One thing is certain true respect usually follows, not precedes the moment when it is deserved.

Response by SFC Rapfeal Mayfield made Jun 1 at 2017 3:21 PM

SFC Rapfeal Mayfield — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 15:21:38 -0400

I think it depends on what you are seeking advice for. There are a lot of factors involved. If you are looking for just general advice about life, there could be an older PFC or SPC that has experienced it and can speak on it. On the other hand if you are seeking advice for something like a preparing an OPORD or how to prepare for a board, I think you would have to consider experience not necessarily rank but real experience. An example, if you were working on a counseling that you needed help with, you wouldn't go to a PFC for advice. More than likely you would go to an NCO who has experience with soldiers and counseling.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 4:32 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 16:32:40 -0400

This is very much dependent on the situation. A brand new PFC might not offer much from a combat perspective but may be well versed in other important areas. Likewise, a grizzled veteran may know the ins and outs of combat but no nothing when it comes to non-combat things. With that said though, guys who have "been there and done that" tend to get the benefit of the doubt over those who haven't. That's just life. There isn't always time to interview everyone in every situation to judge their expertise on a given scenario.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 4:48 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 16:48:34 -0400

Years spent in, plus rank, plus experience in this special field, plus my previous experience with them = earns my attention/respect.

Response by SGT Charles Napierala made Jun 2 at 2017 12:06 AM

SGT Charles Napierala — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 00:06:06 -0400

I feel that we should start to respect the opinions, knowledge, and experience of a service member when they've proven they're capable, knowledgeable, and experienced in the field that service member is speaking on. Opinions should always be respected, regardless if we agree or disagree, because that's what we swore to defend in the first place--the freedom to have an opinion and be able to express it--regardless of how 'wrong' or 'right' it may be.

Ask, we shouldn't look down on or discredit someone based on some piece of cloth that they wear on their chest, but rather look at them as an opportunity to gain another form of perspective and as a source of knowledge, culture, and experience that's culminated over 18 or more years and presented itself to you as a resource.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made Jun 2 at 2017 2:15 AM

LCpl Steve Wininger — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 02:15:25 -0400

We are never to old, so high in rank, or so experienced to not learn from others regardless of their position in life or age. I attend a university where the majority of my peers are younger than my daughter. I listen to them, and yes, sometimes I learn from them. I do not draw lines when it comes to learning because lessons come in many forms, old and young. There are many times I can here the echoes of my younger self, and that can be quite eye opening. It has taught me to be less judgemental, and to also give more solid advice.

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made Jun 2 at 2017 11:51 AM

LCpl Donald Faucett — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 11:51:56 -0400

If that PFC grew up as a mountain boy, or raised in the woods a hunter, I'd consider their opinion opinion.

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made Jun 2 at 2017 11:57 AM

LCpl Donald Faucett — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 11:57:59 -0400

Every body down range is a somebody. Don't put a lables on people even a Pvt. Is part of the team.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Jun 4 at 2017 1:29 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 13:29:26 -0400

At the point when you appreciate education. Anyone can come up with a suggestion or opinion. If the idea has merit in your mind, explore the concept further and you may learn something. If there are legitimate reasons the suggestion or opinion lacks merit, explain why and the other person learns something.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jul 19 at 2017 12:01 AM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 00:01:34 -0400

cannot tell you how many times a junior soldier to me has come up with new and innovative ways to accomplish things that actually made sense and was resourceful - case in point - load plans for our vehicles, our 3 shop came up with a standardized load plan for our Bradleys, as we were executing , I had a PFC with about 6 years of experience as a mover, his main job was packing the moving truck, the next day he had come back to me with a load plan that actually had a 5% increase in available space - of course I did not know that at the time, I just looked at it and it made sense, so I pushed it up the NCO support channel, two weeks later, that load plan became battalion, and then eventually brigade sop.

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made Jul 19 at 2017 9:27 AM

CH (LTC) Robert Leroe — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 09:27:11 -0400

I can tell you this: Enlisted soldiers often said to me: "You're the only Officer who has ever listened to me."

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jul 19 at 2017 9:46 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 09:46:41 -0400

At the point when a person has educated themselves through gathering of actual facts, not information that in fact is only rumor and add experience to that. When its apparent they actually listen and learn first before speaking. When evidence is presented of facts or a situation and them being flexible enough to adapt and understand and pass that information on. Having someone that can actually think for themselves instead of just following the herd and draw valid conclusions. Having enough presence and communication ability to influence and lead others. When an uncommon thing such as common sense is part of their daily thinking that sure counts for a lot.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2017 1:45 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 13:45:29 -0400

I guess I'm a throw-back. I offer full support and respect to all... and let them screw it up for themselves. I don't care if you are a newly minted O1 whose signature has wet ink from your commissioning, or you were a 20-year NCO that just got busted to O1... both get the same respect. Then I continue to give them respect until they start to prove they no longer deserve it.

Sure, I start with pay grade, but VERY closely on its heels is humanity. I value everyone - male, female, trans, young, old, I don't care. Yes, I automatically offer an Officer a bit more respect than an Enlisted member, but only barely - and most would never realize there was a difference.

There are only two types of people in my book - those I respect, and those that have shown that they don't deserve my respect. I don't care about multiple Medals of Honor, 142 promotions, criminal convictions, numbers of marriages, combat tours, or how many kids you have in how many locations. You get my respect until you show me that you don't want or need it - and then it's gone. *POOF*