Posted on Aug 27, 2014
NCOs - do you "take offense" when a junior officer talks to you like a "buddy"?
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I've often wondered this. As a CPT with 1 day in service (and maybe up until a few years in service), I would often (and maybe wrongly) be friendly in how I addressed the NCOs who had much more experience than I did at the time. I would (probably wrongly) talk to them like civilians - saying things like "hey, man" when meeting. In my naivety, I thought that was a way to show that I respected them more than my rank, but, in retrospect, I'm wondering if that was actually a discourtesy.
As I've spent more time in service, I've dropped that. But I'm curious as to what NCOs - especially senior NCOs - think about young LTs or CPTs addressing you in such a manner. You have 10-20 yrs in service, the young officer has maybe a year or two. Is it disrespectful for him/her to drop military customs?
As I've spent more time in service, I've dropped that. But I'm curious as to what NCOs - especially senior NCOs - think about young LTs or CPTs addressing you in such a manner. You have 10-20 yrs in service, the young officer has maybe a year or two. Is it disrespectful for him/her to drop military customs?
Protocol
Tradition
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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Sir, I'm not sure that 'taking offence' would be the correct terminology.
As a senior NCO I have been in similar circumstances and quite frankly, if there is not already a 'trust' built between the Officer and NCO the warning bells start ringing, very loudly; it's an 'unnatural' event for us as NCOs and, for the most part, we will slip into a defensive mode to protect our, and the Officers, professional reputation.
Whether or not it is considered disrespectful would really depend on the NCO, the Officer and the situation. In most cases, I would not have considered it disrespectful, but would consider it unprofessional.
Now, as I alluded to earlier, if there is already a solid relationship between the NCO and Officer (such as a Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant, or a section OIC an NCOIC) who have worked together for a period of time, AND it is an informal, relatively private conversation, then naturally, such familiarity would be more appropriate and would be much less likely do draw such a response.
Like so many things military, situation dictates.
As a senior NCO I have been in similar circumstances and quite frankly, if there is not already a 'trust' built between the Officer and NCO the warning bells start ringing, very loudly; it's an 'unnatural' event for us as NCOs and, for the most part, we will slip into a defensive mode to protect our, and the Officers, professional reputation.
Whether or not it is considered disrespectful would really depend on the NCO, the Officer and the situation. In most cases, I would not have considered it disrespectful, but would consider it unprofessional.
Now, as I alluded to earlier, if there is already a solid relationship between the NCO and Officer (such as a Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant, or a section OIC an NCOIC) who have worked together for a period of time, AND it is an informal, relatively private conversation, then naturally, such familiarity would be more appropriate and would be much less likely do draw such a response.
Like so many things military, situation dictates.
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MAJ (Join to see)
SFC Mark Merino NEVER publicly.. and you're correct, I should have qualified that. I just meant in person or in a very small group.
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SFC Mark Merino
Until the title "L.T." has been earned, I remained most humbly..... "Sergeant" at ALL times. In public, no Sir, that dog just don't hunt! We are impervious to your "Officer culture". I had a strong combat arms upbringing and I always believed that Officers preferred our layer of crust. Over the decades, I have definitely seen a change. I'm not too sure it has been for the better. I will hold my tongue now, and anxiously await to hear from those still in the trenches.....
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SFC Jose Caraballo
I concur with SFC Merino, my first name is Sergeant to the LT until he's found my personal data sheet at OPS. But I will share something with everyone.
Many moons ago I learned from a Sergeant Major that the relationship between NCO and Officer is like siblings; with the NCO being the older of the two. In some cases a decade older. And it is in that relationship you build and foster a great sense of mentoring, learning and tutelage. Some days you will slap your officer on the back and exclaim how great and wonderful of a job they did. The other 28 days you're bringing them back to reality and reminding them 3 things; there is a budget to conform to, they need to clear it with the commander first, and we are not Starship Troopers.
In the end, it's all about the professionalism you present and wish to carry forward into the future. Teach the upstarts right the first time and everything else will fall into place.
Many moons ago I learned from a Sergeant Major that the relationship between NCO and Officer is like siblings; with the NCO being the older of the two. In some cases a decade older. And it is in that relationship you build and foster a great sense of mentoring, learning and tutelage. Some days you will slap your officer on the back and exclaim how great and wonderful of a job they did. The other 28 days you're bringing them back to reality and reminding them 3 things; there is a budget to conform to, they need to clear it with the commander first, and we are not Starship Troopers.
In the end, it's all about the professionalism you present and wish to carry forward into the future. Teach the upstarts right the first time and everything else will fall into place.
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I never had an issue with an Officer that I was FAMILIAR with AND had a professional relationship with calling me by my first name in a private setting, however, I did have a platoon leader once tell me that it was fine to call him by his first name when in private and my response was "I already do...Your first name is Sir."
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