Posted on Aug 23, 2014
SFC Operations Nco
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I feel as if I’m speaking to a Master Sergeant, Sergeant First Class or Staff Sergeant, they need to be addressed as their full rank and not “Sergeant.”
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SGT Jeremiah B.
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Per regulation, it is correct and addressing them by their full rank is a no go. How could that possibly be disrespectful? Never mind it would be obnoxious - "Yes, Sergeant First Class. No, Sergeant First Class. Get a shorter title, Sergeant First Class."
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SPC Infantryman
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I called a 1SG, "sergeant" once. Notice I only said "once".
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CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
6 y
Why?
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Cpl Peter Martuneac
3
3
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I've never understood that about the Army. Why wouldn't you call them the rank they've earned?
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SPC David S.
3
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Edited 11 y ago
Well flip this over to the commissioned side. I'd like to see someone address a full Colonel as "officer". The 'they're all officers' argument does not apply. The Army should take a note from the Marines on this one. Not saying everything the Marines do is the right way, but with rank there also comes increased responsibility and thus are due commensurate respect. When deployed it should be the NCO's call.
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SPC David S.
SPC David S.
11 y
Poor example on my part. I was trying to make a point on the differential in regards to responsibility. This to me seems to be counter intuitive with rank. I get the tradition argument but that only holds up to a point or all us CAV guys would still be on horseback.
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1LT William Clardy
1LT William Clardy
>1 y
SPC David S., to adjust your example, when was the last time you addressed a lieutenant colonel by any longer title than "colonel"?
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SPC David S.
SPC David S.
>1 y
Good point sir. However when there was a full bird with in ear shot I made sure that I did address a LTC as such. Being that I was around the TOC our BN CO and his buddies would hang out. It wasn't uncommon to have the COL, other COL's and LTC's , and our XO MAJ all around. But you are correct as I always addressed my father's friend as Colonel Lowe when he has a LTC or later when he was a full bird.
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SFC Infantryman
SFC (Join to see)
>1 y
Certainly no LTC minds the title COL as it exceeds his rank and station, thus as a term of respect it achieves a higher standard of courtesy. This also makes the point that a higher standard should be encouraged, if not perhaps mandated, as opposed to settling for merely the "standard" or regulation's (minimalist) requirements.
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SSG Future Operations Officer
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For me, I find this topic kind of funny. The reason I say that is because this is not a PV1 asking this question. It's an NCO. This question could have been avoided by looking at the Army Values and then reading the regulation.
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PO1 Master-at-Arms
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Edited 11 y ago
In the Navy everyone E4-E6 is a petty officer. No matter who you are, if you don't know person's rating (MOS), you say 'Petty Officer'. If you do, you call by abbreviation and number.

In my case, I'm a master at arms 1st class, equivalent to Army SSG MP. My rating abbreviation is MA, and juniors would be addressing me as MA1. It's confusing if you're not in the Navy and other branch don't get so trade-specific as we do.

Nevertheless I wouldn't consider it rude if another petty officer would only call me by last name. I would however say something if a seaman would call me such
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SSG Robert Burns
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I don't think it's anymore disrespectful than calling them an NCO.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
11 y
Not at all, its regulation and we are NCO's there to train, fight, win and survive in Combat to bring our Soldiers home.
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SGT Team Leader
SGT (Join to see)
11 y
Why would this be disrespectful? I only ask this because according to AR 600-20 that is how they are to be addressed. I know that other branches of service such as the Marines address each rank, but no the Army.
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MSG Parachute Rigger
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Nope! I like sergeant.there are people out there that feel they need to be recognized. I don't. I'm a sgt just like you. When I put on the diamond, I'll be a 1sg. But not until that happens again. Glad you want to show the respect, shows you're of good character. But I don't need to here master sergeant.
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SGT Jason Anderson
2
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Nope. There are three sergeants in the Army: Sergeant, First Sergeant, and Sergeant Major.

If you want to do something different, work to change the regulation.
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SSG Recruiter
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I'll leave that to the Marines to address NCO's by their full rank.
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