This involves the scene where the female counselor is talking to Payne about special needs. Payne picks up his hat and explains that he has trained, so many "combat, killing machines" under the hat. However the campaign hat is only worn by Drill Instructors at Recruit Training. DI's are ENLISTED only. Payne is a commisioned officer.
Might Payne have been a non-com Drill Instructor, and got promoted from that position? Many of those guys think themselves better officers than those who have joined straight from cadet school.