# Military question: a matter of rank

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-question-a-matter-of-rank/168123>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 11, 2003, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-question-a-matter-of-rank/168123 "2003-04-11T21:29:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![brianmelendez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/65b543/32.png) [@brianmelendez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianmelendez)\
**Post date:** [April 13, 2003, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-question-a-matter-of-rank/168123/41 "2003-04-13T02:06:02Z")

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To **Alessan** , **Monty** , and especially **RickJay** : Thank you for your informative responses to my question about general vs. positional authority.

To everyone who has been posting in this thread: Thank you! It has been exceptionally educational and interesting.

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**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\
**Post date:** [April 13, 2003, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-question-a-matter-of-rank/168123/42 "2003-04-13T02:11:21Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by RickJay \*  
> \*\*Practically speaking that’s why buck lieutentants don’t order sergeant majors around. The sergeant major of a regiment derives his authority directly from the regimental’s commanding officer - a colonel - and his duties are presumably being done on orders from the colonel. The lieutenant would be stepping on the colonel’s toes by barking at his sergeant major. The segeant major is exercising the will of a far more senior officer, so why SHOULD be listen to a lieutenant? Better salute him, though.  
> \*\*

I didn’t read this on the first few passes, but you are absolutely correct. Position versus rank.

I thank you for putting it in so few words for me. 😃

Tripler  
I’m military, and even I’ve learned a new one. 😃

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**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\
**Post date:** [April 14, 2003, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-question-a-matter-of-rank/168123/43 "2003-04-14T04:23:37Z")

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I owe my own shit-hot reputation in the Corps to Sgt Asencio, Sgt Valliere, Sgt McCullough, and Cpl Rhodes. Of course all were promoted past these ranks, but these were their ranks when they taught former Lieutenant **UncleBill** the ropes.

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