A 2nd Lieutenant in US Armed Forces, specifically the Marine Corps. "Butterbar", a reference to the gold bar rank insignia worn on the uniform, is a term generally used in a condescending or patronizing manner towards a boot lieutanant that thinks he knows everything, yet couldn't lead the way out of his own ass with a map and flashlight.After completing OCS (Officer Candidate School) and TBS (The Basic School) a large number of newly minted butter bars tend to think that they are Chesty Puller and General Patton reincarnated and have the belief that after months of schooling they know much more than enlisted Marines that have been doing the job much longer.
A few months later, I was posted to the Wing CP during a NATO tac eval. As I was showing the Wing Cdr where our gun and missile systems were deployed, an NBC input was dropped. An AF Captain, the base Disaster Preparedness Officer went overboard on his Alarm Red recommendation.
I jumped in and said, “Colonel, May I make a recommendation?” The silence was deafening. LOL, here was an Army 2nd LT speaking to 5 full bird colonels. I made the right call, Alarm Yellow, which meant no protective gear was necessary. I could see the NATO Team Chief nodding his head in approval.
It wasn’t that difficult, NBC Officer was one of my extra duties.
OCS is generally where enlisted soldiers/airmen/marines/seamen go to become “mustang” (prior enlisted) officers. The service academies and ROTC training at the universities are the more traditional path.