Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

OldSWODog

(79 posts)
60. a navy perspective
Tue Aug 6, 2024, 04:21 PM
Aug 2024

I understand how the military rank structure can be confusing for civilians and brand new service members. I served ten years as enlisted (E1 through E6) and thirteen years as a commissioned officer (O-1E through O4) in the Navy and still could not routinely describe the senior enlisted ranks of the USAF (USSF didn't exist then). However, I didn't have any dealings with many USAF folks. Simply put, the senior enlisted person of any military unit is still technically outranked by the "butter bar" in the service (2nd Lt in USA, USMC, USAF or Ensign in USN and USCG) but the brand new officer would be well advised to not casually assert direct authority over any E7 or above (SFC in USA, CPO in USN and USCG, GySgt in USMC, 1stSgt/MSgt in USAF) unless that officer plans on a miserable inititial tour of duty. In nearly all ships and units, the senior enlisted person is singularly respected by the Wardroom (commisioned officers) as well as the entire crew. Tim Walz is the real deal is a great addition to the ticket. Cheers, OSD

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

He's a born leader. Irish_Dem Aug 2024 #1
That is where he honed his LEADERSHIP skills. ProudMNDemocrat Aug 2024 #3
From the age of 17, he learned what being a leader meant. Irish_Dem Aug 2024 #7
Leading people COL Mustard Aug 2024 #52
Exactly. Irish_Dem Aug 2024 #53
Yup. Those guys are a big deal. If military members tolerate unfounded attacks on his service, they need to brewens Aug 2024 #2
I totally agree! This is a HUGE accomplishment. jimfields33 Aug 2024 #4
Since he earned a college degree, why didnt he become an officer? Mosby Aug 2024 #5
He was an officer Johnny2X2X Aug 2024 #12
I'm not taking about semantics. Mosby Aug 2024 #15
It is not semantics Johnny2X2X Aug 2024 #25
OK sure, but a 22 yo second lieutenant would be his superior. Mosby Aug 2024 #28
My brother is a master sergeant Metaphorical Aug 2024 #30
Not sure that's true Johnny2X2X Aug 2024 #33
I agree with AKFemDem, Johnny. Aristus Aug 2024 #38
Fair enough Johnny2X2X Aug 2024 #42
Thanks for clearing this up! ShazzieB Aug 2024 #48
Not an officer in the officer vs enlisted sense AkFemDem Aug 2024 #31
No, that is NOT what commissioned means AkFemDem Aug 2024 #32
Yeah, but Dotard won a "Bowling Participation Trophy" AZ8theist Aug 2024 #50
A CMSgt is not an officer. AkFemDem Aug 2024 #34
Tons of people in the enlisted ranks have degrees AkFemDem Aug 2024 #29
I think he enlisted at 18, so he went to college after his military service. TBF Aug 2024 #45
Those were in parallel Shermann Aug 2024 #55
Ah that makes more sense! nt TBF Aug 2024 #65
He didn't get the college degree until he used his gi benefits questionseverything Aug 2024 #54
Didn't need to be. He's a non-commissioned Officer. haele Aug 2024 #58
This message was self-deleted by its author Mosby Aug 2024 #59
I expect that was solely his choice soldierant Aug 2024 #64
If he was a CSM - he's the man, the top dog....and the person that everyone (enlisted and Officers) listen to.. Dan Aug 2024 #6
You want someone to walk point? Tim is the man. ProudMNDemocrat Aug 2024 #10
He's not a "sucker and a loser" like the republican draft-dodging felon thinks BoRaGard Aug 2024 #8
Am I understanding it right, Tim Walz was once the higheet NCO in the Army? brush Aug 2024 #9
No, he was a Command Sergeant Major, but not the Sergeant Major of the Army. rsdsharp Aug 2024 #20
Thanks. Now I'm clear on it. brush Aug 2024 #23
Not quite. He was a CSM in the National Guard, not the Army. bluesbassman Aug 2024 #21
Thank you. brush Aug 2024 #24
Not to be too protective of the reserve components, TomSlick Aug 2024 #61
Oh I wholeheartedly agree and meant no disrespect to the Guard or Reserves. bluesbassman Aug 2024 #63
yyou mean its something tsf's caddy couldn't do? or maybe the guy who runs his pro shop? getagrip_already Aug 2024 #11
Very interesting. StarryNite Aug 2024 #13
This message was self-deleted by its author WarGamer Aug 2024 #14
Vance was a corporal in the Marines. Neither would salute the other, rsdsharp Aug 2024 #16
My bad... I could have sworn Vance was a 1LT... deleting. WarGamer Aug 2024 #19
Any good officer recognizes and respects the experience of the NCO's under his command. Aristus Aug 2024 #39
great story, thanks!! I can picture it. WarGamer Aug 2024 #40
During my time in the US Army, I encountered many full bird colonels and a numerous generals. Only one CSM. bluesbassman Aug 2024 #17
That's why I really object when high-ranking officers and NCO's Aristus Aug 2024 #41
This message was self-deleted by its author kimbutgar Aug 2024 #18
Vance was a Marine Corporal. rsdsharp Aug 2024 #22
Opps my bad I forgot ! kimbutgar Aug 2024 #26
He attained the rank of CSM geardaddy Aug 2024 #27
First and Command Master Sergeants Metaphorical Aug 2024 #35
Thanks for the explanation geardaddy Aug 2024 #36
I always noticed field grade officers deferred to Command Sergeant Majors. Kingofalldems Aug 2024 #37
Command Sergeant Major is equivalent to. . . AverageOldGuy Aug 2024 #43
This is a great post. Thank you for sharing it. PatrickforB Aug 2024 #44
Thanks for the very interesting and relevant information. Martin68 Aug 2024 #46
Sergeant Major --- my uncle rose through all ranks from private to Lt. Colonel. beginning as a 17 year old, joining 3Hotdogs Aug 2024 #47
Thanks for this. ShazzieB Aug 2024 #49
All this information must be wrong or a fabrication of facts. KS Toronado Aug 2024 #51
This story is going around vet circles DetroitLegalBeagle Aug 2024 #57
Sounds like FQX started it. KS Toronado Aug 2024 #62
Excellent! I just heard his sound bites from a week to 10 days ago on Sirius XM progress and they were electrifying! BamaRefugee Aug 2024 #56
a navy perspective OldSWODog Aug 2024 #60
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Some background info on W...»Reply #60