How much influence does an E-6 have in your service?

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 09:28:07 -0500

Having worked with TSgts, SSGs, and PO1s, I've noticed that the SSGs in both the Army and Marine Corps have a more obvious influence on the lower enlisted ranks in their respective services than the USAF or Navy. Has anyone else seen this? Perhaps something different?

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made Nov 4 at 2014 11:19 AM

MAJ Dallas D. — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:19:19 -0500

I am not sure today but I have always thought that USMC SSG's had the most influence among the services.

When I was a PL I had a former Marine SSG who was now an Army SSG always complain about how if he were still in the Corps he would be in charge.

I always said well you left the corps so suck it up buttercup!

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Nov 4 at 2014 11:20 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 11:20:42 -0500

A Marine Corps Sgt has more influence over the juniors than any of these. Just sayin.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2014 8:20 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 20:20:06 -0500

Its not just NCO ranks in the Air Force. I would say out of hip pocket that 80% of the LT's in the AF have no leadership responsibility over someone. Even Captains in certain AFSC's will be lucky to oversee more than 4 people. Their are some AFSC's where an Officer can go their entire career not supervising people until late O4 and O5.

I think it has to do with the span of control. I had a ROTC classmate cross into the Army because he wanted more leadership roles than the AF provided.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2014 2:44 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 14:44:15 -0500

The Marine Corps considers Staff Sergeants to be senior NCOs. From my time working with the Marines and the Army, I would have to say that in terms of influence the Marines give vastly more power over subordinates to their E6s than either the Army or Navy.

OTH, the Navy PO1 is expected to be interacting with officers and senior NCOs on a much more collegial basis than E6s in any other service - although my perception may be thrown off by working in Intel. Certainly, a PO1 in an Intel-related field is treated as an expert by Navy officers, IME.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2015 8:13 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 20:13:11 -0400

I would suppose it depends on the AFSC. In the two flying communities I belonged to both the tanker and the UAV a we were very junior heavy in the enlisted flyers/sensors. In one of my squadrons we only had one TSgt. Sometimes he would be the acting superintendent or the acting shirt. In the UAV squadron we had only a handful of E6's. Most of them were old hands that were in way before 9/11. They all seemed to have a good deal of authority of our heavy AMn population. It seemed like we had a bunch of Staffs but by the time their commitment was up a good deal of them would bolt for the door and leave or go into a reserve component. In the flying world at least what I experienced their was a high turnover rate With enlisted aircrew. It seemed as soon as we trained them we were finding their replacement.

I suppose a career field that has more enlisted that study in longer to promote this may not be the case.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 12 at 2015 9:37 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 21:37:50 -0400

I would guess the situation in the Army and Marines are more hands on the troops because they are in the business of fighting ground wars.

Response by MSgt Jim Wolverton made Jun 23 at 2015 5:09 PM

MSgt Jim Wolverton — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 17:09:08 -0400

Not sure as I have never been in one of the other services.