The military has an especially robust and distinct heirarchal structure. With a total of 24 pay grades (9 Enlisted, 5 Warrant Officer, and 10 Officer), and even within those multiple ranks, an individual can instantly determine based on what another is wearing how they stand with that person. This creates both a sense of ease, as you always know where you stand, along with occasional tension....as you always know where you stand.
Herein lies one of the greatest lessons one can learn in the military, how to swallow your pride. When you feel that you know more, are better prepared, more professional, etc., than someone who outranks you, there is nothing you can do about it except try to help them. Sometimes its painful to salute someone that you feel is undeserving, or to stand at-ease while talking to a person you know only outranks you because they've been in longer, but you do it anyways.
This comes in handy in civilian life. Many times people have a teacher, boss, etc., that they feel is inept, so they sabotage them, lose their cool, or simply give up. Luckily for people that make it through the military, they have plenty of training in dealing with situations such as this, and can oftentimes more tactfully resolve the issue and help both parties benefit. Just another one of those little advantages from being a servicemember that is easily overlooked.
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