This argument stems from the idea that most enlisted service members either do not want or are incapable of commanding. military adopted the rank structure of the most dominant military force of the time, and so too will other countries if the U.S. Although there will be an adjustment period, the U.S. Furthermore, some argue that given the cooperation with allied forces, altering our current rank system would disrupt interoperability.

However, they are the only ones able to advocate change to Congress - enlisted members lack both clout and the voice to appeal for needed radical change. Military officers, who have spent their career reaping the benefits of the two-tiered system, often see little need for change. Modern problems require modern thinking, and we should not be held back by a sclerotic organizational structure unable to adapt to today’s demands. “That’s how we’ve always done things” is perhaps the laziest reason to continue anything, yet it is a principle lauded by the military. Merging officers and enlisted personnel into one hierarchical pyramid will unleash untapped leadership potential, remove redundancies, and put people in the positions for which they are best suited. The two-tiered system is based on antiquated and classist British military tradition that stymies the effectiveness of today’s armed services. In this article, I will examine each of these arguments and propose an alternative structure that meets today’s needs. In support of maintaining the current system are four commonly cited arguments: tradition, enlisted not seeking the “burden of command,” senior enlisted acting as subject-matter experts to officers, and issues of career longevity. Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass, the highest-ranking enlisted member in the Air Force with nearly 30 years of experience in the military, is obligated by military customs and courtesies to salute the newest second lieutenant right out of Officer Training School (OTS). Enlisted members additionally swear to “obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over” them. Officers are commissioned by the President of the United States and sworn to support and defend the U.S. military are divided into two tiers: commissioned officers and enlisted service members.

Airforce enlisted ranks