Is there condescension towards enlisted soldiers?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 00:19:29 -0500

I am finding that the longer I'm in the Army the more O1-O2s look down their noses at junior enlisted. Not usually so much at an E6, but especially the E4s and below. It frustrates me to experience and to see it - especially since in the reserve world most enlisted possess at least a Bachelors degree, and many posses advanced degrees. Are senior officers correcting their subordinates or is this the rememant of the old school where only officers were well educated and the enlisted truly needed the extra supervision and such?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2015 1:01 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 01:01:19 -0500

This isn't seen on the medical side as much. There are some people that make my blood pressure rise and the head start throbbing....but it is because of their actions, not because of their rank. Some of the "superiority" complex may come from the ideas that get filled in their heads during BOLC/OBC/West Point/ROTC combined with a lack of tactful leadership.

These entry courses teach you "Your job is to lead these Soldiers, not to be their friends. You are to share in their success, but you will also share in their failures." Most officers joining the Army have very little REAL life experiences, and virtually NONE will have had some ACTUAL opportunities to lead people. Their experiences revolve (and are then largely emulated by) those that taught them. Their superiors sometimes are less adept at hiding their disdain for cadets or trainees...so they see this as leadership...

Furthermore, joining as a 2LT, the Army gives you a toolbox with a screwdriver basically. You have one tool....if even. You are taught to approach a situation with 1 or 2 approaches...because that's all they have time to teach. How do you deal with a challenging Soldier? What do you tolerate? What expectations are there of your subordinates?

You are told, "Your subordinates must respect you." How do you gain that? These kids don't know. Then, you throw in the mix ANOTHER group of people from varied backgrounds, many of whom are 18-25 year olds full of piss and vinegar...in the same boat. "He's no different than me...what makes him better?" Hell..at that stage of your life, could you imagine someone your age being the one to "teach you about the Army", especially since they are told that they need to have the answers....but are still trying to figure out the world themselves?
v/r,
CPT Butler

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2017 7:50 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 19:50:19 -0500

Honestly I've seen more junior NCOs ( CPL to SSG) look down on junior enlisted than I have junior officers.