Posted on Feb 26, 2019
What do I call Airmen, Coast Guard, Marines and Sailors?
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Private me is working the gate at a joint base and I know just about all of the ranks of our brothers and sisters, but with my greeting I end up feeling lost on what to call different ranks. "have a good morning (Gunnery Sergeant, Petty Officer Second Class, Tech Sergeant)". This is more so a question of the enlisted ranks because for officers i gennerally stick with Sir and Maam (am i wrong other branches?). Most times a just leave em with a "have a good day" but I feel not that im disrespecting them but not giving as much respect as i can. Its fun to see a retired SGM come through the gate and light up when hearing a "good morning Sergeant Major". If there is any Airmen, Marines, Sailors, Coast Guard out there with time help me out. Is it "chief master sergeant " or just "chief"? thank you in advance. - Soldier that was never taught.
Rank
Gate Guard
Marines
Sailors
Airmen
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 13
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For Air Force, if you know our insignia, it's pretty easy to distinguish the enlisted tiers. If you need help, DM me and I can help you.
E1-E4 "Airman" is an accepted term of address.
E5-E6 "Sergeant"; (E7-E8 can also be called this.) I'd personally call an E7 "Master Sergeant" and an E8 "Senior Master Sergeant or Senior" simply out of respect.
An E9, "Chief Master Sergeant or Chief"
Per AFI 36-2618 Enlisted Force Structure (updated July 2018)
Hope this helps!
E1-E4 "Airman" is an accepted term of address.
E5-E6 "Sergeant"; (E7-E8 can also be called this.) I'd personally call an E7 "Master Sergeant" and an E8 "Senior Master Sergeant or Senior" simply out of respect.
An E9, "Chief Master Sergeant or Chief"
Per AFI 36-2618 Enlisted Force Structure (updated July 2018)
Hope this helps!
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I worked at a joint command for many years. I figured out the officer ranks for Army, Marines, and Air Force easily because they are all pronounced the same. Silver oak leaf is Lieutenant Colonel for all three for example. That leaves the Navy and Coast Guard Officers. O-1 thru O-6 it’s Ensign, lieutenant junior grade (called lieutenant), lieutenant, lieutenant commander (called commander), commander, and captain. O-7 thru O-10 is Admiral. Navy enlisted was always a mystery to me. I’m pretty sure you can refer to all the Sailors with the chevrons as Petty Officer. A rocker over the chevrons is a Chief. One star over the rocker is Senior Chief. Two stars over the rocker is Master Chief.
I admire your spirit. Keep the positive attitude!!
I admire your spirit. Keep the positive attitude!!
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CPT Lawrence Cable
The through E-3 ranks are simple Seaman, although they will immediately correct you with their rating. Petty Officer is pretty confusing, 1 chevron is Petty Officer Third Class while a Petty Officer First Class has 3 as an E-6. The rating system is confusing to outsiders and they generally refer to each other by an abbreviated rating/rank system. My son is a Master at Arms E6, so he would be addressed as MA1 Cable.
After 10 years, I'm starting to get some understanding of how they do things, which isn't the Army way.
After 10 years, I'm starting to get some understanding of how they do things, which isn't the Army way.
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