Who really runs the military? Officer or Enlisted?

Cpl Tom Surdi — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 12:04:12 -0400

We all know officers can't get anything done without being hand held by an NCO or SNCO. My opinion, enlisted are the ones really in charge. I once had an LT who tried to tell me how the crypto equipment worked, he wound up wiping it and I spent the next 3 hours fixing it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2018 12:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 12:15:12 -0400

Without getting too deep into it, the NCO's know that things run better when the inhabitants of the "Head Shed" stay there.

Response by CPL Dave Hoover made Apr 26 at 2018 12:21 PM

CPL Dave Hoover — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 12:21:55 -0400

Cpl Tom Surdi Hey brother, if a NCO didn't get him down, he's still hanging out, lol.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Apr 26 at 2018 12:25 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 12:25:18 -0400

Response by SPC Kevin Ford made Apr 26 at 2018 12:28 PM

SPC Kevin Ford — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 12:28:10 -0400

It depends on what you mean by "runs". The enlisted people deal with doing the actual implementation. The officers decide what needs to be implemented.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 26 at 2018 12:37 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 12:37:36 -0400

Depends on if the officer just went to OCS, and didn't start as one of the boys, or did start out as one of the boys.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2018 12:39 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 12:39:29 -0400

Hey-I can take a joke

Response by PO1 Raymond Fochler made Apr 26 at 2018 12:41 PM

PO1 Raymond Fochler — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 12:41:50 -0400

I have to say all the officer's i encountered in the sub community were at least above average leaders. Our CO and XO were exceptional. But i would have to contribute that to the selection process.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 26 at 2018 12:54 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 12:54:17 -0400

It would hurt my ego if the unit ran better without me. lol

Response by SGT David T. made Apr 26 at 2018 1:42 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 13:42:52 -0400

The elusive E-4 mafia does...

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 26 at 2018 2:22 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 14:22:20 -0400

A tried and true rank structure that has served our country well. Every grade, and every position comes with a learning curve. The percentages of those ill fit for service are the same in either Corp, Officer or Enlisted. I would not have traded the experience for anything. If you find someone caught up in the (perverbial) wire, you quietly cut them out and move about your day. Thank you for your service.

Response by CPT Enrique M. made Apr 26 at 2018 4:52 PM

CPT Enrique M. — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 16:52:21 -0400

How did you guys find me darn it! Lol

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2018 5:30 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 17:30:40 -0400

Professional officers and enlisted run it. The rest are bystanders or participants. It starts at the bottom and goes to the top. All ranks.

Addendum: He's laying or taking up concertina. The gloves were a clue, and it doesn't look like he's hung. It's manual labor, so it's definitely not a Lt. He's probably in the CP studying the FM. He'll finish soon, but the work detail will have secured long ago.