I have a 12 year SSgt working for me and one of the first conversations I had with him was over his dissatisfaction that an E4 in the Army had the bottom bunk while he was forced to take the top bunk. Over here seniority in a room determines what bed you sleep in. He told me that rank has its privileges…..

My first thought on the matter was if you really want some privileges you will make rank.

I always took RHIP as having to do with senior leadership…. Like SNCOs and Cols up, not SSgts. Am I missing something?

The same sense of entitlement that is endemic in society.
Tell him he should be happy he didn't go Navy and have to hot-bunk it.

[This message has been edited by Zip 88 (edited 1/9/2012 7:57a).]

Put the younger and/or taller guy in the top bunk. Done.

Rank does indeed have it's privleges but you take care of your troops first and foremost. Unless there is a medical reason for the senior Non-Com to have the lower bunk, he should take the upper if the junior person is already there. Earn some respect and that junior member just might offer to switch out of courtesy.

If I was a platoon leader and had a SSG squad leader who put himself before the rest of his squad...he would no longer be one of my squad leaders.

Those privileges should be the outcome of some of the added responsibilities not personal preference. In most cases those responsibilities come with rank (but not always) therefore "privilges" are given to allow the person to do their job.
If he just wants a bottom bunk - so what? Maybe he shouldn't be sleeping in the same area as the privates anyway.

If he has to be up earlier than the others for some reason, it could make sense to put him in the lower bunk. Otherwise he shouldn't be whining.

My rule - young guys on top bunk.

Old guys on bottom - we've got to get up once or twice to pee...

1) What is RHIP?

2) If an NCO ever whined to me about something as petty as which bunk he was sleeping on, I'd counsel him for it.

Heck, my last field exercise we bunked officers with enlisted guys. The only concern was where you could find an open bunk.

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1) What is RHIP?

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Come on 1stRanger. You've never heard RHIP before? Rank Has It's Priveleges. I learned that one as a fish at A&M.

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Heck, my last field exercise we bunked officers with enlisted guys. The only concern was where you could find an open bunk.

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My daughter and son-in-law are in Kuwait right now and company grade officers are bunking with the NCOs. Only Battalion Commanders and CSM's and above are in private quarters.

Rank Hath It's Priviliges

Even more important is RHIR

RHIP has 2 meanings: Rank has its perks...Rank has its problems.

Top bunk is sure easier to make super tight with hospital corners.

I told him deal with it.


I am bunking with a SSgt and i don't have the best bed in the room.

His next fun issue was complaining that his next door neighbors invited his family (wife + twin daughters) to dinner and fed them grilled cheese. He felt they should have been fed something better.

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His next fun issue was complaining that his next door neighbors invited his family (wife + twin daughters) to dinner and fed them grilled cheese. He felt they should have been fed something better.

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Sounds like he needs to receive some professional development before he dishes it out.

I will say though that my wife would never allow the aforementioned situation to happen.

RHIP?? Pretty sure no one in my old unit have heard of this. Because when ya get right down to it? The Marine Corps pretty much has zero benefits or privileges for anybody.

On a serious note who the hell cares what bunk they slept in? We sure as hell had no official policy on it. It doesn't even warrant an official policy. Whoever wanted top or bottom just worked it out between themselves. I actually enjoyed top bunk and made sure I had it. Slept up there till the day I got out

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The Marine Corps pretty much has zero benefits or privileges for anybody.

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I guarantee you that a Lieutenant Colonel isn't treated the same as a Lance Corporal.

Well, everyone knows that if he was in Germany he would have the top bunk, but he is in Italy. It's regulation...

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Well, everyone knows that if he was in Germany he would have the top bunk, but he is in Italy. It's regulation...

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YES! YES!!!! Blue diamond for you!