You will inevitably meet folk of higher rank who are drunk beyond return on their own--what I call--"self-rankteousness". No regard for respect of the human being in the uniform, what a person has done, nor the soldier's effort to do good have worth nor meaning. Cold hard obedience is all that matters, even if what is demanded of you bares no coherence in reality, and sacrifices the subordinate soldier at the altar of power tripping or in some cases, genuine hate. If you run into the self-rankteous soldier described above, escape if you can. If you run into a soldier who constantly beats their chest and declares, "I don't give and fuck" then by all means run in a direction opposite him/her!! That is probably a red flag. Otherwise, as much it depends upon you, be at peace with him/her.

In the extremely short time that I've been enlisted, I have run into many of the end result of what some "drill privates" aspire to and eventually become: self-rankteous douchebags! The endless mind-games, and abuse of one's rank and authority to satisfy...whatever it is that fuels their strange sense of "respect". Usually a grossly diminished sense of integrity.

Finally, you don't have to like nor inwardly respect who is over you, but they will demand respect for that little piece on their chest. It's okay, give it to them outwardly. Let their ego and insults go, though it be difficult and acquiesce is all I can say. But never kiss ass for nobody. Even if you are thrown in the front leaning rest, use your hate for their wrong as fuel to push and stand your ground within.

It is beyond naïveté to think that all soldiers have good intentions, and vice versa. Apply the board of education to the seat of knowledge seasoned with wisdom, patience, charity and the sheer will to persevere. Shun the self-rankteous douchebag!