Ken, do USAF bases not have an enlisted man who is the same rank as many others, but by his appointment/billet is the most senior non-officer there? He is essentially the 'standards' man/woman, and your standards are never good enough! All officers worth their salt give him/her respect, even though every single one of them outranks him/her.
Airmen go around the block rather than join his orbit!
CG