This is not an easy topic to discuss, but it is an important one. We’ll get through this!
Contempt for officers from enlisted personnel often stems from a mix of perceived disconnect, unfairness, and poor leadership. It’s not universal—plenty of officers earn respect—but when it festers, it can wreck unit morale, cohesion, and lead to distrust in leaders who require enlisted trust to accomplish the mission.
Let’s not beat around the bush here: there’s the sense of a cushy divide. Enlisted folks grind out the hands-on work—long hours, physical labor, less control over their day—while officers, especially fresh ones, can seem insulated, barking orders from a desk or classroom mindset (though this certainly not always the case). If an officer’s never hauled gear in the mud or pulled a 24-hour shift, their decisions might feel out-of-touch, like they don’t get the real cost of what they’re asking. That breeds resentment fast. It can lead to the breakdown of good order and discipline, and ultimately turn troops against their Commander.
There’s also the issue of privilege, and it sticks out like a sore thumb. Officers often enter with college degrees and higher pay, while enlisted personnel might feel they’re doing the same (or harder) work for less recognition and fewer perks. Often, enlisted are just as well-educated as an officer (sometimes even more so), but were unable to obtain an officer slot, and so enlisted because service to country was more important than the rank they held. If an officer acts entitled—like their rank makes them smarter, not just higher up—it’s a slap in the face to troops who’ve earned their scars through experience, loss of friends, and loss of family, not a diploma.
Bad leadership doesn’t help, either. Nothing sours enlisted attitudes like an officer who micromanages, dodges accountability, or plays favorites…or treats enlisted like cavemen who should be grateful for their leadership. Troops notice when orders are vague, impractical, or self-serving—like an officer chasing a shiny eval at their expense. Conversely, if an officer can’t make tough calls or freezes under pressure, enlisted lose faith; they’re the ones who pay for incompetence with sweat or blood, while the officer enjoys an iced drink in an air-conditioned hardened facility.
Since we’re being honest, is important to highlight the very real “us vs. them” mentality that grows when officers don’t relate. If they lean on rank instead of rapport—dismissing input, hiding behind protocol, or keeping distance socially—it builds a wall. Enlisted aren’t looking for a buddy, but they’ll scorn a stranger who acts superior without proving their worth.
It’s not inevitable. Officers who listen, learn the ropes, and lead by example can flip the script. Contempt thrives where trust erodes—and trust is hardest to build across a gap that feels more like a canyon.