Do age and rank make a diffrence in the military? How much so? In what ways?

Question

This is really more of an opinion question than one with a definite answer. I have been wondering if age and rank make a difference in the military. For example, would there be a difference between an 18 year old Private and a 25 year old Private? Or between an 18 year old MS I ROTC cadet and a 25 year old MS I ROTC Cadet? Or between a 22 year old 2LT and a 30 year old 2LT? What types of differences would there be? Would the older soldiers be more squared away than the younger ones? Another type comparison would be a 25 year old Private and a 25 year old Captain. Should one expect the Captain to be more mature? To some it up, does age make a difference with rank meaning are older soldiers more squared away or is a PVT a PVT and a LT a LT regardless of their age?

Answer 1

just a piece of advice though, even if you may be an officer, say a 2LT and you mouth off to a master sergeant, you probably will get in trouble, not because he is a higher rank (which he isn't because he is enlisted) but because its more a disrespectful notion to mouth off to someone with much much more experience despite their rank. You are technicly a higher rank, but young officers should look up to senior enlisted men for their wisdom.  

Answer 2

According to the military, if two people get promoted to the same rank on the same day and they came in the military the same day as well then the older person will be senior ranking.  Example: two guys go to basic at the same time and get their E-2 at the same time as well.  The older person is the senior ranking person.  But experience is something rank can't grant and your average butter-bar platoon leader wouldn't be **** if he didn't have that strong E-7 advising him even though technically he outranks him.  I've seen 21 year old E-5s who act immature and 30 year old PFCs who act a lot more mature but still have to take orders from that E-5.

Answer 3

Rank and TIG (time in grade)

Answer 4

Rank is more important than age in how you fare in the military.  If you fail to salute a superior officer you can get in trouble, but if he fails to return the salute who complains?

Answer 5

no

Answer 6

rank is like age i think...with age comes a wisdom...from life in general same way rank does as you progress in your rank there comes a wisdom with that....you cant expect to know as a 21 year old lt what a 30 year old does..although there are specifics with your job that you will train on...some of it comes through just having been on the earth and dealing with people in general..because in my book and im not active duty..but i have seen with my own husband he has matured as a person and with each rank it has enabled him to be a leader..because at 19 when he went in he would not have been able to be the effective e8 he is today...at 40 he is much more established as a person and can wear the rank and do the job that comes with that..because rank is a resposibility that you almost have to grow into for a better word for it.

Answer 7

Rank will always make a difference.

Maturity holds no rank, but if you lack the tact to communicate the better plan, then you will only be as effective as the rank you hold

I've seen 45 year old Lieutenant Colonels act like 18 year old privates, and I've seen 35 year old specialist perform as well as or better than their 24 year old lieutenant.  Likewise, I've seen 35 year old staff sergeants act like 45 year old platoon sergeants (E-7).