Some background info on Walz's military rank

[Aristus]

39. Any good officer recognizes and respects the experience of the NCO's under his command.

I remember not long before I completed my service in the Army, my platoon got a brand-new 2nd Lieutenant right out of OCS.

Our platoon sergeant was gone that day, so I was acting in his stead. The new looie came up to me and said “Sergeant, I’m brand new at this, and still getting my feet under me. I’m just going to stick close to you for a while”.

I replied: “Sir, I think we’re going to get along just fine…”

I knew he was going to make a good officer, because he was open, honest, and eager to learn how to lead a group of rambunctious tank crewmen.