Trust and Confidence

[GunnySan]

Take a look at the ranks for H&S 1/9 that CMYR posted. The First Sgt. was a TSgt., that was paygrade E6. This was before the current rank structure was adopted. The first sergeant back then was usually a MSgt (E7), that was highest paygrade. Very often, there wasn't a MSgt available, the billet was then filled with a TSgt or even a SSgt until a MSgt came in. If there was a MSgt available, he was usually the Bn. SgtMaj. I served as a First Sgt for a little over a month as a SSgt (E5). When the new structure came in, pay grades E5 through E7 were no longer considered capable of such responsibilities. As a Sgt. (E4) I had at least as much authority as a Sgt (E5) has today. I can't imagine walking into a company office today and having a SSgt. or GySgt sitting behind the First Sergeant nameplate.

[JITB]

My son, as a Sergeant, served in a number of temp positions normally held by ranks above Sergeant. At one point, he was even Platoon Leader which should be, at least, a Butter Bar. I think today's Corps does the same thing that the Corps of the past did. They put Marines that can handle the job in positions that should be held by a higher rank when that rank is not available. One advantage to Marine Corps training is that Marines are taught to be able to step up as that need could easily happen in a combat unit.

[JITB]

The mention of the change in rank structure reminded me that it happened in my first year in the Corps. We had a Tech Sergeant that hated to be called by his rank. He ended up being one of the first in the Corps to put on the new Gunnery Sergeant stripes. You couldn't find a happier Marine! His eyes glowed every time somebody called him "Gunny".

[GunnySan]

The mention of the change in rank structure reminded me that it happened in my first year in the Corps. We had a Tech Sergeant that hated to be called by his rank. He ended up being one of the first in the Corps to put on the new Gunnery Sergeant stripes. You couldn't find a happier Marine! His eyes glowed every time somebody called him "Gunny".

True, but many of us were still called 'Gunny' unofficially, particularly if you were the Company/Battery Gunnery Sergeant. During the confusing period before the final change-over, Tech. Sergeants were designated Gunnery Sergeant (E6).
My point was that with the change the Corps rank-structure was somewhat 'Dumbed-down'. The new SSgt and GySgt took over positions that were previously held by SSgt/TSgt. That is to say that Paygrade E7 now does the job that Paygrade E6 did. In other words, the 'Trust and Confidence' accorded is the same that was accorded then to lesser ranks.
I have seen and heard references to LCpls as 'Lance Coolie', a disgusting label. When I was at that paygrade, I was a Non-Commissioned Officer, a Cpl.