Show notes
Grunt officers get a bad wrap when they arrive to their first unit. Like any newbie, "Butter Bars" — military slang for 2nd Lieutenants — have to earn the respect of their men despite their rank.
Related: These legendary military officers were brilliant (and certainly crazy)
But it doesn't stop there, there's added pressure from the other officers higher in the chain. When Chase Millsap a veteran officer of both the Army and Marine Corps infantry got to his first unit, he received a warning call from the other Os. "There wasn't even like a welcome to the unit," said Millsap. "It was like 'you are a liability, you are going to screw this up for the rest of us. If you think you have a question, don't ask it.'" It was a well timed warning and every new officer needs that grounding phone call. There's a tremendous amount of pressure coming out of the infantry officers course and these guys are ready to fight — "they are gung-ho," according to Millsap. In this episode of the Mandatory Fun podcast Tim and I ask Millsap everything we ever wanted to know about Grunt officers. Here are 10 questions we asked:- How do you get into the Naval Academy?
- What are some popular tattoos with grunt officers?
- What kinds of nicknames do officers give each other?
- Do officers mess with new officers?
- How did you know when you earned the respect from the men you lead?
- Do officers make stupid purchases after deployment?
- What is it with officers and safety briefs?
- Do officers get extra attention from the enlisted troops at the base gate?
- Do officer rely on the intelligence of the Lance Corporal Underground — the E4 Mafia?
- What's the Lieutenant Protection Association (LPA)?



