Tut, Tut, Looks Like Rank

It has been recently brought to my attention that we are back to disputing petty matters of little importance pertaining to, of all things - Cadet Rank. As oxymoronic as that sounds, Cadet Rank is exactly that - NUCC bling bling.

It doesn't make you smarter.

It doesn't make you a better leader by virtue of pinning more points on your collar.

It doesn't mean you make better decisions.

It doesn't earn respect of subordinates.

It certainly doesn't mean that because you drag around a heavy collar that you have outperformed the rest of the masses.

"You hypocrite, woman!" you cry, "You have rank yourself!"

Ah, yes. But would you know it?



Corps Rank matters in the Corps (duh, you live here), not outside the machine.

Do you know what the whole rank structure is for? Organization. It gives everyone a place to stand so no one gets lost, and a job to do so that everything gets done. That's it. In a perfect world, the people with certain skills get jobs that they will best perform at, benefiting the organization. Makes sense, doesn't it?

What this is, is a warning to all of you with rank, aspiring to have rank, or watching the people around you with rank. Certain things like treating people with decency and respect cannot be exchanged for something shiny. No one will respect a leader just because he or she is in charge. Respect the position of authority, yes, the person in it - not necessarily.

In the same vain, if you have certain responsibilities that are not being met, then by all means give them to someone with a little more drive, because what good are you doing to the whole? The idea is to maximize efficiency, not create a hierarchy of megalomaniacs.

Putting all of this in perspective -

You step off campus and your Corps "rank" means nothing. If you learn nothing about core values here, and your rank in the Corps is all you have to hold on to, you're going to be in a sad, sad position when the real world hits you.

SMACK!

That's the sound of the real world bitch-slapping you in the face.

Corps rank does not matter in the long run. It's what you take away from the experience that matters.

When all is said and done, your diploma is going to read "MCV" whether your last year was spent as a SSG or the COL.

Don't complain too much about the system though, because let's face it - you're still here!

SCREECH!!!!

Seems like there's some confusion about this post. I'm taking inbound fire.

If you need to reread it (or read it entirely) please do so. Take note! While your rank doesn't make a lick of difference outside of Norwich, you still need to respect the system you're choosing to live in. I thought I made that clear. If you hate it, leave. My point is, don't "pull rank" or let "fake" chevrons go to your head when you're in the ... ah, real world.

This isn't pointing fingers. Everyone knows people that do it, and I'm not about to name names. This was not meant to:

A. Bash people with multiple chevrons and stars (hello ... C/MAJ here!)
B. Bash people without multiple chevrons (hi, been a PVT)
C. Bash the Corps (live there!)
D. Start drama / uprising / collective whatever (there's enough going on without my helping)

So don't take it that way!