The relationship between enlisted personnel and officers is the backbone of any military organization. While officers are trained to lead, strategize, and make high-level decisions, enlisted personnel are the hands-on experts who execute those plans with skill and grit. Despite their shared mission, there’s often a gap in understanding between the two groups—a divide shaped by differences in experience, responsibility, and perspective. Here’s what enlisted personnel frequently wish their officers understood about their world.
1. We’re Not Just Numbers—We’re People
Enlisted troops often feel reduced to statistics: a headcount on a roster, a skill set to deploy, or a body to fill a slot. While officers must manage resources efficiently, enlisted personnel crave recognition as individuals. They want officers to know their names, understand their strengths, and acknowledge their struggles. A simple gesture—like remembering a soldier’s hometown or asking about a recent challenge—can build trust and morale faster than any formal leadership course.
2. Experience Matters More Than Rank Sometimes
Officers typically enter the military with a college degree and a commission, while enlisted personnel often climb the ranks through years of hands-on work. A freshly minted lieutenant might outrank a seasoned sergeant, but that doesn’t mean they out-experience them. Enlisted troops wish officers would lean on their expertise instead of assuming a textbook solution fits every situation. When an officer dismisses a grizzled NCO’s advice, it doesn’t just waste time—it erodes respect.
3. The Little Things Aren’t Little to Us
To an officer focused on the big picture, a delayed paycheck, a poorly timed duty roster, or a broken piece of equipment might seem minor. To enlisted personnel, these “little things” are the daily reality that can make or break their quality of life. They wish officers would fight harder to fix systemic issues—whether it’s subpar barracks conditions or convoluted admin processes—rather than brushing them off as inevitable.
4. We See the Disconnect Between Orders and Reality
Officers issue commands, but enlisted troops execute them—and they often spot the flaws first. A plan that looks flawless on a PowerPoint slide can unravel in the field due to unforeseen variables like weather, equipment failures, or human fatigue. Enlisted personnel wish officers would trust their feedback when they say, “Sir, this isn’t going to work,” instead of doubling down on a doomed directive. Collaboration, not blind obedience, gets results.
5. Respect Is a Two-Way Street
Enlisted troops are drilled to salute the rank, not the person. But they wish officers understood that respect flows both ways. A condescending tone, a dismissive attitude, or a failure to listen can sour even the most disciplined unit. Conversely, an officer who treats their troops as valued teammates—rather than subordinates to be managed—earns loyalty that no insignia can demand. We’ll always respect the rank, but we want to respect the person, too.
6. We’re Not Immune to Burnout
The military prides itself on resilience, and enlisted personnel are no strangers to long hours and tough conditions. But they wish officers recognized that even the toughest soldiers have limits. Constant deployments, back-to-back training exercises, and endless paperwork can grind down morale and effectiveness. A good officer knows when to push and when to give their people a breather—not just for compassion, but for mission success.
7. Our Families Matter Too
Enlisted personnel often juggle military life with young families, tight budgets, and limited control over their schedules. They wish officers understood how much a last-minute change—like extending a field exercise or canceling leave—ripples through their personal lives. An officer who advocates for predictability and support (like ensuring spouses have resources during deployments) wins the hearts of their troops.
8. We Want to Believe in You
Enlisted personnel don’t expect officers to be perfect, but they do expect them to lead with integrity. Hypocrisy—ordering troops to follow rules the officer bends—or cowardice—like dodging accountability when plans fail—breeds cynicism fast. They wish officers knew how much their actions shape the unit’s faith in leadership. A genuine, stand-up officer inspires enlisted troops to go the extra mile; a self-serving one makes them question why they signed up.
At its core, the enlisted-officer divide isn’t unbridgeable—it’s just misunderstood. Enlisted personnel don’t want officers to stop being leaders; they want them to lead better by listening more. Officers who take the time to walk in their troops’ boots—figuratively and sometimes literally—discover a wealth of insight that no academy can teach. When officers and enlisted personnel truly see each other as partners in the same fight, the result is a stronger, more cohesive force. And that’s a mission worth pursuing.