When do you become a big deal in the military?

[killion1506]

Rank is commensurate to time in service in most regards. The real way to be a "big deal" is to be proven. Know your stuff, be more than proficient, push others to be  the best they can. You can be any rank and be looked at as the guy who knows whats going on, what they are doing and can easily fill the slot of the person above them. In the Army, at least in the Infantry, when your Sergeant Major knows who you are because you rock, not because you are constantly on the blotter, then you are a big deal. A soldier can come in as an E-4 and not know a single thing about his job, but when a private knows what they are doing as well as what their team leader and squad leader are doing, he is a BIG DEAL. Always be open and honest, if you have to make a decision, make the wrong decision before you make no decision, and remember what it is to excel and go above and beyond. Remember that leadership is a process of influencing others to achieve a common objective goal or mission. A medal means that you were put in a situation to go above and beyond when it really mattered, but having the approval of your superiors means they know that when that time comes, they can count on you to go above and beyond and get them out of the hell storm they are in.

To me, that is being a big deal.

[THRAWN]

So, in the actual military, at what rank would those of you who have served say that someone is a "big deal"? I know in CAP, it's Colonel. But on all sides, enlisted, warrant officer, and officer, when has someone truly gone above and beyond the average lifer in terms of rank? When does it go from "Oh, it's just a Lieutenant/Sergeant/Petty Officer" to "Holy crap, it's a -------"

It depends. I think with rank, it's something really rare, like an Army CW-5. I've seen one and nobody believes me...

I think that the position more than rank dictates who is a big deal. In the Navy, like was mentioned, it's the captain of a ship; Air Force it's a wing commander; Army and Marine Corps it's the division commander. On the enlisted side, it's the SEA to each of the levels that I mentioned.

Or, like Eclipse said, it's wearing the MOH. That's a REALLY BIG deal.

[Storm Chaser]

If you retire below E-7 or O-5 then something in your career when wrong.  Those two ranks are almost guaranteed if you are competent and keep your nose clean.   

E7 isn't a guarentee anymore especially with the new EPR system and the board.

And neither is O-5. I know plenty of good officers who did everything right and got passed over for O-5.

[stillamarine]

If you retire below E-7 or O-5 then something in your career when wrong.  Those two ranks are almost guaranteed if you are competent and keep your nose clean.   

So O-6 and above and E-8s are in the area of going above and beyond the pack.

In the Marine Corps depending on your MOS you very well may retire at E-6 or E-7. Depending on the career field it can take years to get promoted. It took me 5 years to make Cpl in my active duty MOS (0481). I left active duty and went into a new MOS (0311). I picked up Sgt a year later and SSGT 16 months later (meritoriously). If I stayed on track on active duty I probably would have retired a GySgt based on many of my former shipmates. If I stayed reserves I think I had a decent chance at E-8.

But everyone in the Marine Corps knows the most important rank is Lance Corporal lol.

[MHC5096]

In the Air National Guard, making Technical Sergeant (E-6) was a big deal and a bottleneck for many career fields. Unlike the active duty side of the house, the Air National Guard didn't have a higher tenure policy in place. It was very common to see people retire at 20 years as a Staff Sergeant (E-5).

As an example, when I put Technical Sergeant on in 2000 the manning document only allowed for six E-6 billets in the entire state for my AFSC. When I put on Master Sergeant, 2 years later, I was in one of three E-7 billets authorized that grade in the entire state for my AFSC. I know several E-6s who were thrilled when I transferred to the Air Force Reserve, because they knew it was the only way they would put that next chevron on.

[themainmane]

So, in the actual military, at what rank would those of you who have served say that someone is a "big deal"? I know in CAP, it's Colonel. But on all sides, enlisted, warrant officer, and officer, when has someone truly gone above and beyond the average lifer in terms of rank? When does it go from "Oh, it's just a Lieutenant/Sergeant/Petty Officer" to "Holy crap, it's a -------"

It depends. I think with rank, it's something really rare, like an Army CW-5. I've seen one and nobody believes me...

I think that the position more than rank dictates who is a big deal. In the Navy, like was mentioned, it's the captain of a ship; Air Force it's a wing commander; Army and Marine Corps it's the division commander. On the enlisted side, it's the SEA to each of the levels that I mentioned.

Or, like Eclipse said, it's wearing the MOH. That's a REALLY BIG deal.

Me personally, I don't really crap my pants when I see a CWO5, since my father is one. Not to say that I don't respect it and see it as a helluva achievement, because it recognizes a lifetime of incredible service, but I've just been conditioned on how to react when I see a field grade/general officer. It doesn't really translate well to being an enlisted infantry Marine though 

[PHall]

In the Air National Guard, making Technical Sergeant (E-6) was a big deal and a bottleneck for many career fields. Unlike the active duty side of the house, the Air National Guard didn't have a higher tenure policy in place. It was very common to see people retire at 20 years as a Staff Sergeant (E-5).

As an example, when I put Technical Sergeant on in 2000 the manning document only allowed for six E-6 billets in the entire state for my AFSC. When I put on Master Sergeant, 2 years later, I was in one of three E-7 billets authorized that grade in the entire state for my AFSC. I know several E-6s who were thrilled when I transferred to the Air Force Reserve, because they knew it was the only way they would put that next chevron on.

Yep, it's not how good you are, it's what slot are you in! Only way I made E-7 was via a STEP promotion. Because all of the E-7 slots were filled and would be for awhile.

[Cliff_Chambliss]

When does one become a "Big Deal" in the military?  First, it's not about rank/grade.  There are way too many self serving personnel who have achieved their rank by brown nosing, boot licking, playing yes man/woman, and other means, and not as capable leaders.  Next, not by position.  In today's military where it's all about management instead of leadership, again the ranks are filled with those whose primary in not only goal is to "get the ticket punched" in order to move to the next higher step.
There is that junior enlisted loader/driver,gunner,  always on time, uniform squared away, performs assigned tasks to the best of their ability and always asking what else can I do.
There is the junior NCO (E5/E6) Vehicle Commander/Squad Leader who takes the time to build a bunch of individuals into an effective crew/team.  Who really cares for those subordinates, who teaches and mentors, and cares.
There is the Platoon Sgt/1SG who came up from the preceding.
There is the Officer who early on took the time to listen to and learn from his NCO's and has always remembered without the troops there is no mission.
There are the Big Deals.  The Generals Abrams, Pattons (WWII and Vietnam), Casey; The Warrants Novosel, Freeman: The Enlisted SGM Plumley and others. 
Many who are the "Big Deal" never realize it and would deny it if they were told.  As I sit here writing this I am thinking back to all the "Big Deals" I have known and served with or under during my 24 years active duty.  But try as I might I am having a hard time visualizing those I thought of as yo-yos,  I guess it's he greater the respect the easier it is to remember.  Big Deal, it's not a rank.  It's not a position,  It is all about being a leader.

[goblin]

When does one become a "Big Deal" in the military?  First, it's not about rank/grade.  There are way too many self serving personnel who have achieved their rank by brown nosing, boot licking, playing yes man/woman, and other means, and not as capable leaders.  Next, not by position.  In today's military where it's all about management instead of leadership, again the ranks are filled with those whose primary in not only goal is to "get the ticket punched" in order to move to the next higher step.
There is that junior enlisted loader/driver,gunner,  always on time, uniform squared away, performs assigned tasks to the best of their ability and always asking what else can I do.
There is the junior NCO (E5/E6) Vehicle Commander/Squad Leader who takes the time to build a bunch of individuals into an effective crew/team.  Who really cares for those subordinates, who teaches and mentors, and cares.
There is the Platoon Sgt/1SG who came up from the preceding.
There is the Officer who early on took the time to listen to and learn from his NCO's and has always remembered without the troops there is no mission.
There are the Big Deals.  The Generals Abrams, Pattons (WWII and Vietnam), Casey; The Warrants Novosel, Freeman: The Enlisted SGM Plumley and others. 
Many who are the "Big Deal" never realize it and would deny it if they were told.  As I sit here writing this I am thinking back to all the "Big Deals" I have known and served with or under during my 24 years active duty.  But try as I might I am having a hard time visualizing those I thought of as yo-yos,  I guess it's he greater the respect the easier it is to remember.  Big Deal, it's not a rank.  It's not a position,  It is all about being a leader.

I think you're missing the OP's point. I don't disagree with anything above, however nobody is going to come across a hard working Airman/NCO/CGO and have a pucker factor.

However, in my little corner of the world, I work for an O-6 (OG/CC) and still get a little shifty when he or the O-6s he meets with come through the door.

Regardless of leadership styles and everything mentioned above, which I do not discount in the least, I think the intent of the question was when do you finally see someone and the "oh $*!t" factor kicks in.

For me, it's at least O-6.

[themainmane]

When does one become a "Big Deal" in the military?  First, it's not about rank/grade.  There are way too many self serving personnel who have achieved their rank by brown nosing, boot licking, playing yes man/woman, and other means, and not as capable leaders.  Next, not by position.  In today's military where it's all about management instead of leadership, again the ranks are filled with those whose primary in not only goal is to "get the ticket punched" in order to move to the next higher step.
There is that junior enlisted loader/driver,gunner,  always on time, uniform squared away, performs assigned tasks to the best of their ability and always asking what else can I do.
There is the junior NCO (E5/E6) Vehicle Commander/Squad Leader who takes the time to build a bunch of individuals into an effective crew/team.  Who really cares for those subordinates, who teaches and mentors, and cares.
There is the Platoon Sgt/1SG who came up from the preceding.
There is the Officer who early on took the time to listen to and learn from his NCO's and has always remembered without the troops there is no mission.
There are the Big Deals.  The Generals Abrams, Pattons (WWII and Vietnam), Casey; The Warrants Novosel, Freeman: The Enlisted SGM Plumley and others. 
Many who are the "Big Deal" never realize it and would deny it if they were told.  As I sit here writing this I am thinking back to all the "Big Deals" I have known and served with or under during my 24 years active duty.  But try as I might I am having a hard time visualizing those I thought of as yo-yos,  I guess it's he greater the respect the easier it is to remember.  Big Deal, it's not a rank.  It's not a position,  It is all about being a leader.

I think you're missing the OP's point. I don't disagree with anything above, however nobody is going to come across a hard working Airman/NCO/CGO and have a pucker factor.

However, in my little corner of the world, I work for an O-6 (OG/CC) and still get a little shifty when he or the O-6s he meets with come through the door.

Regardless of leadership styles and everything mentioned above, which I do not discount in the least, I think the intent of the question was when do you finally see someone and the "oh $*!t" factor kicks in.

For me, it's at least O-6.

Yeah, this is more what I was saying. When, just based on seeing a stranger, does their rank make you say "Oh [mess]."?

[scooter]

I think you are a big deal in the military when your signature block says, "Commander" or the equivalent. You dont get to be one unless you are doing something very well. Not all are successful however, so they dont get promoted.

[scooter]

Forgot the enlisted troops. Senior NCO are a big deal and recognized as such by their Commanders.

[Storm Chaser]

Forgot the enlisted troops. Senior NCO are a big deal and recognized as such by their Commanders.

I have a lot of respect for SNCOs E-7 through E-9, but E-9s definitely get my attention.

[MSG Mac]

When you get your 20 year letter stating that you are eligible for retirement. 

[PHall]

When you get your 20 year letter stating that you are eligible for retirement.

I'll see your 20 Year Letter and raise you a 60th Birthday Letter!

[Storm Chaser]

When you get your 20 year letter stating that you are eligible for retirement.

I'll see your 20 Year Letter and raise you a 60th Birthday Letter!

And a small fraction of that retirement.

[PHall]

When you get your 20 year letter stating that you are eligible for retirement.

I'll see your 20 Year Letter and raise you a 60th Birthday Letter!

And a small fraction of that retirement.

7500 points makes for a nice direct deposit every month.  ;-)

[Bryce7454]

When you do something that has contributed to the defense of the nation. Not when you get to wear colorful shapes on your shoulders.

[lordmonar]

When you do something that has contributed to the defense of the nation. Not when you get to wear colorful shapes on your shoulders.

Ehm......everyone who wears the uniform from the lowliest AB at BMTS to the retriing 4 Star AD/NG/RES contributes to the defense of the nation.

[Flying Pig]

As a Marine Corporal at Kadena AFB, I was a pretty big deal.