The military is one big, dysfunctional, family. As you can see I have 3 categories: 1. Sure, feel free to offer the occasional jab here and there — but keep it all in good fun. There's no denying the rank structure. The age-old tradition of sending the new guy to go find something that totally, 100%, absolutely exists isn't just for privates. Pre-Basic Training. This will go one of two ways: That Lt. is about to get a boot shoved so far up their ass that they'll be tasting leather or (and personal experience has proven this to be hilarious) the sergeant major will stay calm and collected as they go and grab the battalion commander. (US Navy, US Coast Guard) An Ensign. Butter bars have a tendency to make long-winded, elaborate presentations that sound something like, "Hi! The sgt. The troops genuinely respect the new Lt. if they take it all in stride (or throw even better insults back). Welcome to the #1 Army blog as voted by me! Thank you! However — and that's with a huge "however" — that should never be confused with the structure of the chain of command. Try something more creative, like "ask the supply NCO about getting you assigned your new PRYK-E6" if their E-6 platoon sergeant is sitting right there. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. I will post content related to each step as I progress to keep the information as accurate as I can. But if the "exhaust sample" task does work on them... by all means, ask them to give the platoon a hand. It's open season for butter bars as well. Sometimes, you get an apathetic specialist who's been in for a minute and they'll just wiggle right into the flow of things. Once the butter bar has taken their lashings, they can finally be welcomed in as the new platoon leader. Show no mercy and go a few extra laps around the company area. Lieutenants are generally trained to recite answers found in "the book" as they're written and land navigation is a skill that entirely almost relies on winging it. Div.). Whether it's done in good fun or out of spite, it's your duty to give the new butter bar a hard time. I want to entertain, but also educate. For added measure, gather up all of the paperwork in one giant stack and drop it on their desk at once in that way that's typically reserved for comedy films. The commander then proceeds to chew their ass out. Let them lead a land nav course. Literally everyone has a go at the second lieutenant. Sometimes, you get handed a young, clueless private who has no idea what they're in for. They're affectionately called "butter bars," both because their rank insignia looks like one and because they have about the same value as a stick of butter. Literally everyone has a go at the second lieutenant. Try on these ways of letting your new platoon leader that they're now one of you. My posts are my own and do not represent the opinion of the U.S. Army. Nobody, however, brings joy to everyone in the ranks quite like a new second lieutenant — and it's not because everyone is just so excited to see them. Although, input from you all is encouraged! Related: Why the 'Lost Lieutenant' jokes actually have some merit. Please feel free to post your insights and comments as well as any suggestions. When new troops arrive at the unit, you'll most often meet them for the first time on the PT field. Looking for a little inspiration? 2. Let them think that they're holding the reins while you're in the background tossing jokes their way and keeping an ever-watchful eye on where you guys are actually heading. No one wants loads of crap on their hand receipts and now everyone has some poor fool to pawn them off on. I will be posting these around the anniversary dates of these events so when our attention is called to the history, our minds can remember the spiritual lessons they teach us. We totally run with vests on every day. This refers to the insignia of a gold bar shaped like a stick of butter. I can also add more categories so don't feel limited in your questions! If they ever mention that they outrank the battalion sergeant major, don't interfere — just observe. Sometimes, you get a salty sergeant who's dead set on making your unit just like their last. But instead of just letting them lead the platoon into danger, establish dominance over them by going to a land nav course that you know inside and out.