There are still ways to change the system from inside the system once you see how the game is played. While I agree that there are things to suck up and deal with, key leaders are supposed to LEAD FROM THE FRONT and that means putting themselves in the line of fire for their subordinates. Change is possible once the proper levers are applied. It takes time, as with all things and its not easy, but once your Junior (I HATE the term 'lower') Enlisted see you are willing to walk through hell for them, they will follow you gladly. The problem is Officers need to recognize their Non Commissioned Officers are the ones at the moment of contact and it is a much different viewpoint that they need to listen to more often. The Leadership TEAM is a symbiotic relationship, and both views need to be looked at. If a Sergeant Major tells a General that the second and third order effects will be worse off with their particular COA then they would be wise to listen. This is why the college degree requirement needs to be thrown out. I am constantly looked down upon because I don't have a degree, when I have more rounds down range and will see from the micro instead of the macro. That perspective is key going Into a fight. Officers look at numbers where NCO's look at the people. Sometimes we need to be given the ball and let off the leash by higher. We will impress the officers with our ingenuity while terrorizing our enemies and causing them to capitulate more quickly.

We need more Green to Gold and authority at the squad leader level.

But that requires changing the 'them vs us' culture that is often pushed by staff mucky mucks.