Got a Real-World Weapon, Armour or Tactics Question? Mk. XXVIII

[Lvl 2 Expert]

That's another thing about rank, it's somewhat intertwined with the traditional education system. "Regular" enlisted receive training below the bachelor level. Like skilled craftspeople around the world they get lots of invaluable practice, but not too much theory to master, which is traditionally valued higher. NCO's get what's essentially a professional/applied bachelor education, sometimes in the form of training on the job and rising through the ranks, and learning to be an officer is the equivalent of getting a master's degree. The math and physics you need to properly grasp what you need to do to keep a fighter jet in the air are university grade stuff, so they're officers.

In fact, all together the military might be fairer about rank than the general civilian world. There are very few people in the military who started as colonel because they were the general's nephew, because they inherited enough money to buy their own tank division or even because someone had legitimately figured out that this guy, he'd be great at running things. Put him in charge and give him a ten million dollar salary.

You want to be an officer? Get your degree and then show us how you handle a platoon.