In the Corps it's the Gunny's that really run the place. In the Navy it's the Chiefs. The Army has it's Warrant Officers to keep everyone in line. I'm not sure who is in charge in the Air Force but I can guarantee it's not the officer sitting on his butt in the cockpit but someone on the ground with a wrench in his hand.

Well Master Gunny, after I became the Dai Uy (for those who don't know that is Viet-Namese for Captain) I felt I needed a vacation and switched over to the Army. Was a Master Warrant Officer flying Apaches. I went back to the Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, to visit the old haunts, and as I drove up to the gate in civvies the Marine on duty stopped me. He was looking at my sticker in the window and asked, "Pardon me sir, I've never seen a sticker like that before, is that an Officer's or Enlisted sticker?"
When I replied that it was an Officer's sticker there was this embarrassed "Oh Sh*t!" and the salute he snapped broke the sound barrier. Followed by "Thank you Sir, enjoy your stay."

That little exclamation makes me smile every time I think about it. But then I remember what happened next.

The OOD was standing right behind him. As I drove off this very young butter bar began to berate the L/Cpl up one side and down the other. "WHEN IN DOUBT, YOU SALUTE, YOU GOT THAT MARINE?"
So I calmly parked my car and walked back over towards the gate. The Lt. was still on the youngsters case. He was red in the face and throwing spit. So I pulled out my wallet and flashed my ID saying, In my best DI voice which I learned from my father, "At ease Lieutenant! And come to attention when I speak to you. This Marine was completely correct in both his manner and his duty. First, he protected his post by stopping me, for all he knew I was some civilian driving a used car. Then, after I identified myself I received a salute that would honor Chesty Puller."
Now, OK, the kid had made a small error. But he pulled it off in true Marine fashion and I couldn't let some snot nose ruin his day. After I had the Lt. call everyone in his chain of command and insured the gate guard was not in trouble I went on my way.
Now, no one ever did look at my ID and find out I was just some Army flier on leave but with bluster I got saluted by up to a Bird Colonel.
But my daddy the gunny taught me the first rule of being an officer was "Protect your troops" The Second rule is "Respect your troops" and the third "Even when you have to do it, you never correct a troop in front of others, and never in anger". I just hope that in the end that Lt. grew up and became either a good Marine or perhaps an accountant.