[Carry_Okie]

All militaries are hierarchical in nature, and the degree to which an individual is allowed to deviate from doctrine or training may make the difference between victory or defeat in any given engagement.

One of the strengths of the American system is that it has parallel hierarchies. A grizzled master sergeant or chief petty officer carries a lot of weight and is ignored at great peril.

[rlmorel]

Absolutely 100%. There are many militaries around the world that lack that excellence in their non-commissioned officer corps.

I have always admired the USMC in particular for their strength in this aspect. Other branches also have excellence, but I view the USMC as being a step above.

[WASCWatch]

My dad was a Senior Chief Petty Officer. Went to a reunion of his squadron reunion several years ago. One retired Chief told me about a junior officer telling him that my dad chewed him out. This Chief told the junior officer that he needed shut up and follow my dad’s advice.