There are very few things in the modern military of today or any military that has ever existed before our current military for that matter, that are more important than the rank structure and the the respect that is demanded of you by that rank structure. Those are two very important characteristics of every successful military unit. With added details here and there, in this essay I will mainly be discussing what respect actually is, how being respected is normally earned and in the military how it is demanded of you as a sub-ordinate to any ranks higher than you or in some cases any fellow military personnel who is more senior to you and why. On top of that I will be covering the topic of what a rank structure is, how the United States Marine Corps rank structure operates and more importantly why we as a military whole need it.
Respect is a word that has a lot of depth to it no matter what way you use it. The word by definition is kinda hard to pin down concretely because it is so subjective and it can be used in many different ways with many different meanings based on the usage. It is a word that everybody wants a piece of no matter how big or small the piece they get is. All definitions aside, the respect that most people want is the respect that is earned by the showing of honorable actions or personality characteristics. Be it dedication and sacrifices for ones job or ones moral and ethical views and principles. These are examples of some traits a person can earn respect from normally. I say “Normally” because in all facets of life respect is almost always something to be earned and given on a personal level. My personal view is that showing respect is more a statement about us than those to whom we show it. Others may or may not merit our respect, but giving others their dignity protects our integrity and honor. We can set limits, but we do not have to stoop to gross behavior to protect