Respect Versus Disrespect to Officer: Opinion Essay

I have been assigned to write this paper because I have disrespected a non commissioned officer, higher up, and senior or superior enlisted officer. I do apologize for what I did and had said. I have learned from what I have done and the mistakes that I chose to me and, I truly understand why I was assigned to write this paper, and while I sit here and write this paper to show that disrespecting a non commissioned officer, higher up, and senior or superior enlisted officer will not be tolerated and to give the understanding of why disrespecting a non commissioned officer, higher up and a superior enlisted officer will effect other soldiers besides my self. The online dictionary defines disrespect as an expression of lack of respect and a fashion that is generally disrespectful and contemptuous. I myself define disrespect as putting someone down emotionally, physically, and or verbally. As stated in AR 600-20, he who feels the respect which is due to others cannot fail to inspire them regarding for himself, while he who feels, and hence manifests, disrespect towards others, especially his inferiors, cannot fail to inspire hatred against himself. So don’t expect to receive respect from NCOs, higher ups and senior or superior enlisted officer if you choose not to respect them first. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

There are multiple reasons as to why you shouldn’t disrespect a non commissioned officer, higher up and senior or superior enlisted officer.The reasons why you shouldn’t disrespect your NCO’s is because they are entrusted to look out for their soldiers well being and to make sure that they keep you on the correct path to help you be the best soldier that you can be in the military. Also NCOs are the first in line when it comes to your chain of command. You go to them if you are having issues, need help answering a question, or advise on getting help to better your life. They deserve respect since they are also following orders as you (a private) but those orders that they are telling you aren’t getting told to you just because they are getting pushed down from higher ups such as the commander a platoon leader a first sergeant or in some cases even higher

If the soldier has gone to the NCO assigned to them with a personal or professional issues and has come to a vault cause they both cannot come up with a solution to the issues, AR 600-20, para2-2 states to allow members of the command to presents facts, concerns and problems of a personal or professional nature or other issues that the soldier has been unable to resolve to the commander. The chain of command works as follows it starts out with the hiring listed such as the commander for Sgt and platoon leaders then pushes down to platoon sergeant then to squad leaders from there those orders go to the lower NCO’s until the orders hit the privates. Which privates are responsible for finishing those tasks that can’t and shouldn’t be done by those of higher ranking then they are. Each rank has a purpose that helps keep the military moving smoothly. Also what soldiers do reflect on those who are above them. They are responsible for looking out for those who are under them. So make sure you keep this in mind when you are given orders and are expected to finish them in a timely manor. Also when it comes to being an NCO comes different responsibilities such as platoon sergeant for example. In this case their being monitored by how the whole platoon is behaving and performing up to the military standards. If they fail to meet the NCO standards they are frowned upon from their superiors which doesn’t look good on you. Another responsibility they might have is being a squad leader which they are then given a number of privates to watch over and then given another responsibility of making sure that the soldiers they are in charge of are doing their jobs correctly. Whether it is making sure they are fulfilling a punishment to making sure they are making it on time to their appointments. There isn’t a lot of time for an NCO to rest, since they are on the clock 24/7 but that goes for any soldier.

The NCO is also responsible for keeping his or her soldiers in the proper regulations when it comes to hair cuts, uniforms, and hygiene of their soldiers. If their soldier fails to properly follow what is stated in the regulations then it becomes the NCO’s responsibility to come up with a proper punishment that fits with what needs to be fixed. They are also expected to make sure that the soldiers know various things that are important for a soldier like going over the army values, soldiers creed, and other such things. You should respect your NCO’s since they have earned their higher rank either by doing the time needed to earn it or by doing something that shows that they deserve that rank and receiving a waver for that rank. They are also there to make sure that their soldiers aren’t picking on or harassing another soldier. So show them the respect by going to parade rest when talking to them if your rank is lower than theirs. They are there to motivate you and to help you push yourself. As stated in the FM 7-21.13 4-16 Military courtesy shows respect and reflects self-discipline. Consistent and proper military courtesy is an indicator of unit discipline, as well. Soldiers demonstrate courtesy in the way we address officers, or NCOs of superior rank.Now when it comes to your higher ups they have to not just look after privates but also the NCO’s that fall under them. So with that in mind means they have even more responsibilities that comes with the rank. So they deserve to be respected as such because it would fall back onto you since its really all up to how their subordinates are preforming to show if they deserve that rank or not. Also a private shouldn’t just ask them a question unless the NCO that they are assigned to example a E-5 can’t answer it. If you need to talk to one you ask your NCO to have the chance to speak to them if you are having some problems with say your assigned NCO. Your higher ups also have little time to deal with minor things since they already have a lot on their plates. They will always have time for a soldier if they need help with a problem that they are having they will show a soldier respect not because they have to but they want to I know this because I see it a lot so you can always count on them keeping a cool head on their shoulders. With that in mind they are able to do this because when it’s time to go to war they are responsible for everyone under them to make it back home alive if possible.As stated in the FM 7-21.13 4-6 Military courtesy is not a one-way street. Mutual respect is a vital part of military courtesy. In the final analysis, Military courtesy is the respect shown to each other by members of the same profession. Some of the Army’s more common courtesies include rendering the hand salute, standing at parade rest, and even addressing others by their rank. There are certain customs and courtesies that you have to keep in mind when addressing a higher up or a senior or superior enlisted officer such as going to attention when addressing them giving them the greeting of the day whether that be good morning good afternoon or good night calling the room group building or unit to attention when they arrive in the morning and when they leave at night one thing that I have slowly came to learn in the military always caring customs and courtesies and having Respect will take you a lot farther in life and in your career then not respecting rank and treating people whatever way you seem fit there is a rank structure for a reason and you should respect anybody no matter what the rank is from the one private to Sergeant major of the army because you never know when you might be in a pinch and need one of them to have your back or help you out a situation and if you have had a bad past with disrespecting certain individuals They will be less eager to help you.When it comes to senior or superior en listed they deserve the upmost respect because they have a lot weighing in on their job, on their position and on their career because as the company commander has an entire unit they have to look after. A senior or superior enlisted Could have a battalion or a brigade they have to watch over and I can’t talk from experience but I’m pretty sure that was stressful just in itself so, It’s always smart to just maintain your military bearing and respect any rank no matter what is on their chestTreating Soldiers with the proper respect they deserve often directly influences how well they perform their duties. AR 600-20, Army Command Policy, directs that all Soldiers will be treated with dignity and respect. Improved unit readiness, higher morale, greater commitment to unit and mission, increased trust and unit cohesion are some of the benefits of treating others as they should be treated in our Army.