Marines vs Rest of the US armed forces vs Eurowimps

[tibilicus]

WO's don't respect any Commissioned Officers though - they have 51-20 years experience and yet they take orders from people with one tenth of that.

There's a running joke that the worst thing an officer can do is try to run his Command, and not let his WO and NCO's do it.

Of course, NCO's have their own version of this, namely, "don't call me sir, I work for a living!".

On the other hand, a significant percentage of TA officers are martinets, or bigger wallies than I am, and that takes some real doing - I have a head start.

This is of course true. I guess there's still a reason why everyone hates the RSM though.. Being in the forces for 20 years+ tends to lead to a depressing personality, the worst is the quarter master working in the storeroom in a desperate attempt to avoid "civvy street". I guess there's a certain admiration in going to the higher ranks but at the point I'm handing out kit to servicemen I'd probably call it quits. I am of course biased, I've only really been exposed to officers with big egos. Most Second lieutenants aren't much past the age of 21 but I guess that's the way it works. Junior officers tend not do to much anyway. One Major made a point of telling us its the Lance Corporals which win battles.

On the other hand, a significant percentage of TA officers are martinets, or bigger wallies than I am, and that takes some real doing - I have a head start.

It is a little bit frightening that all it takes is a 3 week commissioning course to be granted a commission. Speaking for the TA of course, does make me chuckle that regulars have to go through 44 weeks to come out with the same rank.