--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The military is such a hierarchical…" description: "\"The military is such a hierarchical institution. It's an institution where, if you are assaulted by a person senior to you, you're probably the person ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/774/joy-ann-reid-17681_expendables_the-military-is-such-a-hierarchical-inst_221685.jpg" --- # The military is such a hierarchical institution. It's an… ![“The military is such a hierarchical institution. It's an institution where, if you are assaulted by a person senior to you, you're probably the person that's expendable and that's going to get in trouble.” quote by Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/774/joy-ann-reid-17681_expendables_the-military-is-such-a-hierarchical-inst_221685.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/774/joy-ann-reid-17681_expendables_the-military-is-such-a-hierarchical-inst_221685.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/774/joy-ann-reid-17681_expendables_the-military-is-such-a-hierarchical-inst_221685.jpg) > “The military is such a hierarchical institution. It's an institution where, if you are assaulted by a person senior to you, you're probably the person that's expendable and that's going to get in trouble.” [Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote highlights that hierarchical structures can make lower-ranked individuals vulnerable to retaliation when they challenge superiors. **In simple terms:** Hierarchy can protect those at the top and endanger the vulnerable. Key Takeaway Advocate for accountability and protect whistleblowers. Themes power hierarchy vulnerability retaliation justice Mood critical concerned Type political social commentary When to use this quote - workplace - military bases - law enforcement - corporate settings - nonprofits Key Concepts institutional dynamics ethics military culture Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards can protect lower-ranked members? - How can institutions balance authority with accountability? A Different Perspective Changing culture is difficult; power structures resist reform. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Expendables](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expendables/) [Institutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/institutions/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) ## Related quotes > [There are no hierarchies in nature other than those imposed by hierarchical modes of human thought, but rather differences merely in function between and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-bookchin/there-are-no-hierarchies-in-nature-other-than-those-imposed-by/) [Murray Bookchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-bookchin/) > [I don't like having hierarchical structures. So, everybody knows that I'm the boss but, from that, I don't like people to walk on eggshells.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-espinosa/i-don-t-like-having-hierarchical-structures-so-everybody-knows-that-i/) [Daniel Espinosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-espinosa/) > [A spiritual organization with a hierarchical structure can convey only the consciousness of estrangement, regardless of what teachings or deep inspirations are at its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/starhawk/a-spiritual-organization-with-a-hierarchical-structure-can-convey/) [Starhawk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/starhawk/) > [We know that flat and non-hierarchical systems use information best. I've tried to do that with my own company because it works better that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-m-byrne/we-know-that-flat-and-non-hierarchical-systems-use-information-best-i/) [Patrick M. Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-m-byrne/) > [“Hierarchical organization in biological systems thus is characterized by an exquisite array of delicately and intricately interlocked order, steadily increasing in level and complexity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifford-grobstein/hierarchical-organization-in-biological-systems-thus-is-characterized/) Clifford Grobstein > [We are a naturally hierarchical species.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-e-butler/we-are-a-naturally-hierarchical-species/) [Octavia E. Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-e-butler/) > [You won't get cooperation out of a hierarchical system. You get enforced directions from the top, and nothing I know of can run like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mollison/you-won-t-get-cooperation-out-of-a-hierarchical-system-you-get/) [Bill Mollison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mollison/) > [I am impressed and distressed at how passive hierarchical organizations make people. There's often a lot of overt activity, but it's not going anywhere,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-m-bardwick/i-am-impressed-and-distressed-at-how-passive-hierarchical/) [Judith M Bardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-m-bardwick/) > [“WHO wields power is not important, provided that the hierarchical structure remains always the same.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/who-wields-power-is-not-important-provided-that-the-hierarchical/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't think I could ever work in such a blatantly hierarchical corporate setting. I know that everyone in this world is not equal,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-cameron/i-don-t-think-i-could-ever-work-in-such-a-blatantly-hierarchical/) [Peter Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-cameron/) > [The 20th century was all about hierarchies: if you want to create something, if you want to start a country, create a product, whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-fussell/the-20th-century-was-all-about-hierarchies-if-you-want-to-create/) [Chris Fussell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-fussell/) > [The company was quite hierarchical. I often think it was like a pyramid with Robert at the top and lots of us paying homage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-holmes-a-court/the-company-was-quite-hierarchical-i-often-think-it-was-like-a/) [Janet Holmes a Court](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-holmes-a-court/) > [The Roman Catholic Church early on simply adapted the hierarchical structure of the Roman Empire and confused the whole thing. Vertical attention and hierarchy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bly/the-roman-catholic-church-early-on-simply-adapted-the-hierarchical/) [Robert Bly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bly/) > [You are hierarchical. That's the older and more entrenched characteristic. We saw it in your closest animal relatives and in your most distant ones.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-are-hierarchical-that-s-the-older-and-more-entrenched/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Intertwingularity is not generally acknowledged - people keep pretending they can make things deeply hierarchical, categorizable and sequential when they can't. Everything is deeply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nelson/intertwingularity-is-not-generally-acknowledged-people-keep/) [Ted Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nelson/) ## More by Joy-Ann Reid > [That this is not a sense of innovation and competition increasing prices because some other company is coming in and competing with Martin Shkreli.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-ann-reid/that-this-is-not-a-sense-of-innovation-and-competition-increasing/) [Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) > [Campaigns and primaries can get ugly. There are always messy squabbles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-ann-reid/campaigns-and-primaries-can-get-ugly-there-are-always-messy-squabbles/) [Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) > [ I think that behind the scenes the Pope \[Francis\] is seen as more of a religious figure, but obviously he is sort of a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-ann-reid/i-think-that-behind-the-scenes-the-pope-francis-is-seen-as-more-of-a/) [Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) > [Donald Trump is accomplishing getting, particularly white, working-class voters, who are turned off by their own party.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-ann-reid/donald-trump-is-accomplishing-getting-particularly-white-working/) [Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) > [Marco Rubio has felt the wrath of Chris Christie and proved that he has a glass jaw. And I think that the question is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-ann-reid/marco-rubio-has-felt-the-wrath-of-chris-christie-and-proved-that-he/) [Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) > [I have to say that Donald Trump is on probably about the 13th minute of fame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-ann-reid/i-have-to-say-that-donald-trump-is-on-probably-about-the-13th-minute/) [Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) > [Google the phrase "the most hated man in America." And this guy is one of the first people to pop up. Martin Shkreli, aka…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-ann-reid/google-the-phrase-the-most-hated-man-in-america-and-this-guy-is-one/) [Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) > [I think in theory, Donald Trump could be a formidable candidate, right? The theory of him is, if he ignites working class white voters,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-ann-reid/i-think-in-theory-donald-trump-could-be-a-formidable-candidate-right/) [Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) > [ There has been a fair amount of criticism of the DNC for letting this squabble between \[Bernie\] Sanders and \[Hillary\] Clinton campaigns spill out… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-ann-reid/there-has-been-a-fair-amount-of-criticism-of-the-dnc-for-letting-this/) [Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) > [Democrats in the contrast with Republicans, almost no matter which Republican is nominated. Because they are taking such similar positions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-ann-reid/democrats-in-the-contrast-with-republicans-almost-no-matter-which/) [Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) > [I think that Rahm Emanuel's political career is going to be very difficult to revive after the mismanagement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-ann-reid/i-think-that-rahm-emanuel-s-political-career-is-going-to-be-very/) [Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) > [What Martin Shkreli will end up if he does wind up going to prison. I think that's I think what shocks a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-ann-reid/what-martin-shkreli-will-end-up-if-he-does-wind-up-going-to-prison-i/) [Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) > [Between Pope Francis tour of the U.S. which I think was a triumph really for liberals, he really sort of for the first time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-ann-reid/between-pope-francis-tour-of-the-u-s-which-i-think-was-a-triumph/) [Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) > [The other theory is because Donal Trump is not been vetted and no attacks on him have really been tested by Republicans, that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-ann-reid/the-other-theory-is-because-donal-trump-is-not-been-vetted-and-no/) [Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) > [I am also going to go with somebody who is the opposite of Donald Trump and her name is Johari Osayi Idusuyi. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-ann-reid/i-am-also-going-to-go-with-somebody-who-is-the-opposite-of-donald/) [Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) [Explore all 36 Joy-Ann Reid quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-ann-reid/) ## More Expendables quotes > [I became a physician in order to help save lives. I am at once a physician, a citizen, and a woman, and I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mildred-fay-jefferson/i-became-a-physician-in-order-to-help-save-lives-i-am-at-once-a/) Mildred Fay Jefferson > [Humans - whatever billions we are - we don't have the control. We are considered expendable, basically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/humans-whatever-billions-we-are-we-don-t-have-the-control-we-are/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [Women are dirt searchers; their greatest worth is irradicating rings on collars and tables. Never mind real-estate boards' corruption and racism, here's your soapsuds.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florynce-kennedy/women-are-dirt-searchers-their-greatest-worth-is-irradicating-rings/) [Florynce Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florynce-kennedy/) > [We're all expendable. We think the world's going to stop when a pope dies, or a king. And then... life goes on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/we-re-all-expendable-we-think-the-world-s-going-to-stop-when-a-pope/) [Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/) > [Progressives and Islamists are indeed on the same side. Their common disdain for Christianity explains why left-wing judges in America find any inkling of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/progressives-and-islamists-are-indeed-on-the-same-side-their-common/) [Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/) > [Gays have rights, lesbians have rights, men have rights, women have rights, even animals have rights. How many of us have to die before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-st-laurent/gays-have-rights-lesbians-have-rights-men-have-rights-women-have/) Octavia St. Laurent > [Men are expendable; women and children are not. A tribe or a nation can lose a high percentage of its men and still pick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/men-are-expendable-women-and-children-are-not-a-tribe-or-a-nation-can/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Freedom and democracy, That's the word from Washington every day. Put America to sleep with warm milk and clichés, And people are expendable along…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/freedom-and-democracy-that-s-the-word-from-washington-every-day-put/) [Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) > [Any ensemble - they didn't call it "the all-male Expendables," for example. But it's Hollywood's fault that people say that, because there have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/any-ensemble-they-didn-t-call-it-the-all-male-expendables-for-example/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [It's better to have fewer things of quality than too much expendable junk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-zoe/it-s-better-to-have-fewer-things-of-quality-than-too-much-expendable/) [Rachel Zoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-zoe/) > [Use and respond to the initial fresh qualities but consider them absolutely expendable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-diebenkorn/use-and-respond-to-the-initial-fresh-qualities-but-consider-them/) [Richard Diebenkorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-diebenkorn/) > [From the very depth of my being, I challenge the right of any man or any group of men, in business or in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-reid/from-the-very-depth-of-my-being-i-challenge-the-right-of-any-man-or/) [Jimmy Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-reid/) > [To me, an economy that sees the life of a community or a place as expendable, and reckons its value only in terms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/to-me-an-economy-that-sees-the-life-of-a-community-or-a-place-as/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [Education in a technological world of replaceable and expendable parts is neuter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-mcluhan/education-in-a-technological-world-of-replaceable-and-expendable/) [Marshall McLuhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-mcluhan/) > [I would really like to do a straight action movie that's hardcore - heavy action, like 'The Expendables' or 'Fast Five.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tania-raymonde/i-would-really-like-to-do-a-straight-action-movie-that-s-hardcore/) [Tania Raymonde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tania-raymonde/) [Browse all 34 Expendables quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expendables/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The military is such a hierarchical institution. 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