Posted on Aug 23, 2014
SFC Operations Nco
125K
526
272
20
18
2
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.”
Avatar feed
Responses: 123
Votes
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Votes
SFC Observer   Controller/Trainer (Oc/T)
2
2
0
Do you address junior enlisted by their rank preceding their last name? It's just as disrespectful to them as if they failed to address us by rank. The only difference is that other than Article 134, there is no article for disrespecting a junior enlisted member. What about addressing Warrant Officers as Mister? I know of no one that does so, it's always Chief or Sir.

Whether Sergeant, Staff Sergeant of Sergeant First Class, the appellation of Sergeant is not disrespectful because it is synonymous with NCO. All the higher rank means is more responsibility and expanded authority built upon what is already credited to the Sergeant. To believe that being addressed as Sergeant to be demeaning speaks volumes about the offended party.

As demonstrated in my first paragraph, all of us tend to pick and choose which aspects we care to enforce. As such, the topic of Master Sergeants is one of mine. If I feel they are due more respect, as one who has earned greater respect through the appointment as a First Sergeant, then I will address them as Master Sergeant as a demonstration of that respect. However, if they demand greater respect and fail to earn my respect then I will only give the minimum respect that I am required to give by Regulation due to their rank.

As it all goes though, addressing an NCO by his full rank instead of the proper form of address is no different than saluting another enlisted member. It is a form of respect, and entirely voluntary. It isn't wrong to do so, but like saluting, becomes so if you demand to be "respected" in such a manner.
(2)
Comment
(0)
CW4 Larry Curtis
CW4 Larry Curtis
>1 y
About the Warrant Officers, it really all depends on the context or setting. In the Aviation Community, because there are so many Warrant Officers, it is more common to refer to them as Mister (well in my own experience) and the term Sir is also used in conversation just like it is with the Commissioned Officers. I can practically guarantee that if you went into a room where several pilots were and said, "Hey, Chief?"...there would be several of them looking at you with a semi-annoyed or puzzled looks on their faces because they are wondering which one of them you mean. In other professional career fields it is considered quite the honor to the Warrant Officer himself to be referred to as Chief...in Aviation not so much because there's a Chief lurking around every corner. HAHAHA. I have known guys who were semi-combative about being addressed as Chief...it never really bothered me much, especially when I was in a detachment and there was only two or three of us at the most. All three expressions are acceptable to any Warrant Officer though...at least they used to be...unless, of course, you are dealing with a female, in which case you will have to include Ms and Ma'am. ;)
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SGM Military Police
2
2
0
until the Army changes the regulations the Title Sergeant applies for Sergeant(E-5) thru Master Sergeant (E-8), I have always believed that being called a Sergeant was a title of respect and always will, calling be by my rank seem to be disrespectfully. Sergeant is a title earned thru hard work and taking care of Soldiers.
(2)
Comment
(0)
LTC Immigration Judge
LTC (Join to see)
>1 y
You are correct. Sergeant is most definitely a title of respect, and should be used as such. Tat said, I do know a few senior NCOs who prefer to be addressed as MSG, and I do so out of respect.

There is also a matter of context. When assigning an NCO to a mission, for example, I would use the full rank "SSG Smith will be convoy commander", but when I want to discuss the mission, "Sergeant Smith, I need your load out by 0900".
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
Cpl Matthew Wall
2
2
0
Edited 11 y ago
Great question and one that has disturbed me for years. Why does the Army do this? When I was training soldiers they thought nothing of it. I asked several of them every time I traveled and they all said the same thing, "well they are a Sergeant". In Corps you address them by what they are, Staff, 1st, Master, Gunny, and so forth. I believe it be disrespect because you are essentially calling them an E-5. Also, E-4 and E-5 are NCOs and E-6 above are Staff NCO. You might as well just call your 1st, MSG a Corporal. Have some respect.

Of course on a side note I've heard Army officers and enlisted address each other on a first name basis...so yeah.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT(P) Chaplain Assistant
2
2
0
Per doctrine, as many have noted, the only distinction made for NCO's is for First Sergeant and Sergeant Major.

That being said, I would like the Army to adopt the Marine Corps' doctrine and recognize each rank.

"But SGT Chausse, Sergeant First Class is a mouthful."

Guess what, theoretical question asker? They used to be called Technical Sergeants, or Tech's. (My grandpa was one in WWII.)

Tech Sar'nt.

Now doesn't that roll off the tongue?

my $0.02
(2)
Comment
(0)
Cpl Matthew Wall
Cpl Matthew Wall
11 y
Just change your SFC to 1st SGT and you will be good. Much easier to say than Sergeant First Class.
(0)
Reply
(0)
1LT William Clardy
1LT William Clardy
>1 y
SGT(P) (Join to see), did the Tech Sar'nt ever make you stand at the Tin Hut?
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Vernon McNabb
2
2
0
No.
(2)
Comment
(0)
SFC Vernon McNabb
SFC Vernon McNabb
11 y
If you are identifying someone by rank and name to someone else, then you would use their actual rank; however, if you are talking with the Soldier and they are SSG-MSG, then you just say "Sergeant Last Name".
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
CPT Senior Instructor
2
2
0
Nope.
(2)
Comment
(0)
MSgt Cyber Systems Operations
MSgt (Join to see)
11 y
• Quick note… someone above who mentioned… “Open AR 600-20 and read the section regarding this issue. It clearly states a Master Sergeant is to be referred to as Sergeant. furthermore, when talking to a Sergeant First Class you ought to show some respect.”

Quick thoughts: not sure if this is a slap against USAF (MSgt/Master Sergeant E-7s) or a typo… Army 1SG/MSG E8 vs SFC E7…1SG/MSG should win everytime on the “ought to show some respect… All folks get respect. SFC = MSgt (USAF), as an AF E-7 with more Combat Time than many Army SFCs, I would hope my Soldier Brothers/Sisters would not treat other service valued team members with any less respect for their service/sacrificaces

Air Force MSgt (E-7) here... served lots of time Joint Sister Services with all branches/deployed homestation & Army/Navy in my family etc... You will never go wrong overdoing the rank respect. Some senior enlisted love the ego stroke... Always call Navy by "Chief" (E7 anchor rank), "Senior Chief" (E8 anchor + 1 star) and "Master Chief" (E9 anchor + 2 stars up top). CWOs Navy call them warrant & Army call them Chief...not getting into the call them Mr. business. (not sure for our USMC brothers/sisters). With AF = E7/E-8 saying sergeant is okay. Call our USAF E-9s Chiefs or Chief Master Sergeant. I've always called Army by their proper rank because Sergeant is a rank in the USA etc.
I you hear folk saying "He/She is just an E7, 8, 9" etc... It means that person is a terrible leader i.e. just in the service to make their E7-9 paycheck and their not fit to wear their rank as a Senior Noncommissioned Officer in OUR US Military etc.
Hope this helps. All services have their fun rivalry against each other however, when we are all on the battlefield together fun rivalries aside...we have an important job to do and I hope our military branches promoted the right leaders to be in charge (regardless of service/same team USA/same fight HUA!
MSgt Will Ceglar, Ramstein AB, Germany
(0)
Reply
(0)
Cpl Ehr Specialist
Cpl (Join to see)
11 y
MSgt (Join to see) Marines are easy, what rank are they, that is how they are addressed. Full Rank every time, unless you like spending your off duty hours raking rocks or spit-shining the heads.
(1)
Reply
(0)
SSG Platoon Sergeant
SSG (Join to see)
11 y
of SPC Jones. I understand you point. My advice to you is when making a point be mindful of who you are talking to. always show respect regardless of rank but when addressing a superior you must use tact as you can get yourself into hot water otherwise. One of the Army Values is respect. you are not being disrespected as I can see but you seem quick to shoot off at the mouth (proverbially). Just to keep moving forward in your career and to have success in what you do it is imperative that you show respect to all. You don't want to be a toxic leader and you don't want to say the wrong thing to the wrong person. Just my advice.
(0)
Reply
(0)
SGT Neal Parker
SGT Neal Parker
11 y
It also sometimes depends on who is addressing the soldier in question, as a retired E-5, there are several ranks of Sargent that I feel comfortable about addressing as merely Sargent. However when I was a lower Enlisted Soldier I would definitely give them the due of saying their whole rank out.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Senior Drill Sergeant
2
2
0
I don't understand why Soldiers feel that MSG is the rank at which you decide to show more respect. I've read multiple responses that group SSG and SFC in the same categorie and that is not correct. We should know that SFC is when the "senior" ranks have been reached. I refere to SSG-MSG as sergeant and give the appropriate respect. When I was a SSG or junior I didn't reserve the proper respect or give more respect to MSG and above. I feel that this is an issue in the Army.
(2)
Comment
(0)
SFC Senior Drill Sergeant
SFC (Join to see)
11 y
SFC Germaine, I'm not sure if you are suggesting that I am in charge of all trainees on Jackson or that I should walk around everyday and make all corrections. I do believe that respect for the ranks starts at basic but I also believe that AIT is where is gets worse. I'm not really sure I understand your point at the end because I in now way try and make it a kinder and gentler Army and I'm all for a less formal environment but what I said was respect for senior NCOs can't start at MSG because like one SGT said "they earned it".
(0)
Reply
(0)
SFC Human Resources Specialist
SFC (Join to see)
11 y
SFC Bowe I know that you don't control the trainees, I went on a tirade because I started off at Fort Jackson and retired there. I don't remember hating a duty station so much in my entire career. I apologize for using this forum as a sounding board. I am extremely frustrated with the whole retirement/VA process, hope you and all the readers can understand and forgive me.
(1)
Reply
(0)
SGT(P) Kenneth Jones
SGT(P) Kenneth Jones
11 y
Have a question in the schools like jump and such whats the highest title? Would it not be the same as rank as the Army sees it the highest is basically MSG then you add the identifiers such as the diamond for 1sg and such and its not out of disrespect but just saying maybe thats the way the Army looks at it cause in basic no one gave reason of why its that way
(0)
Reply
(0)
CW4 Larry Curtis
CW4 Larry Curtis
>1 y
I served from 1974 thru 1994, and throughout that period the only NCOs which were referred to as anything other than Sergeant (outside of special ceremonial protocol) were the First Sergeants and Sergeants Major. And there was usually no distinction between a Staff Sergeant Major and a Command Sergeant Major other than the insignia. We called them ALL Sergeant Major. My 2 cents. ;) Looks like I've come close to spending 40 cents on this thread now. HAHAHA.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Operations Nco
2
2
0
Edited 11 y ago
I understand what the regulation states on page 4; however, after working with other military units such as the USMC, I've become acustomed to addressing someone by their full rank and not just "Sergeant" .

As I use this practice in my current position, it appears to provide positive feed back and NCOs actually taking pride in their actual rank.

I would understand if their is a group of NCOs, then giving the Greeting of the Day and addressing the group as Sergeants, but if I'm being spoken to or addressing an individual, why is the Army so simple to address a MSG as "Sergeant."
(2)
Comment
(0)
SGM Force Protection Sgm
SGM (Join to see)
11 y
As a joint force we should be aware and respect the common courtesies of our sister services. With that being said there is no reason we as leaders should deviate from regulatory guidance. If a Staff Sergeant, Sergeant First Class or Master Sergeant needs to be called by their full rank then they first need to attend some resiliency training and realize that it isn't about them. There should be a sense of pride in being to called Sergeant. If any NCO has issue with "just" being called Sergeant than they need to do some serious soul searching.
(5)
Reply
(0)
CW2 Humint Technician
CW2 (Join to see)
11 y
Right, but you didn't join the Marine Corps, you joined the Army. We also wear ACUs and they wear whatevertheheck they call their camo uniforms, but you don't don their uniform and sew your name above your back pants pocket do you?
(0)
Reply
(0)
SFC Jeremy Boyd
SFC Jeremy Boyd
11 y
SFC Jones, as a member of Rally Point and a professional NCO serving honorably, you are obviously entitled to your opinions, and you are certainly backing your viewpoints with clear regulatory guidance. However, as I have scrolled through this particular thread, I have noticed several replies that you have posted where you seem to be attacking responses with some deeply cutting sarcasm which, quite frankly, border on disrespect. There is no need to take it that far, especially when you are addressing your fellow senior NCOs. I would suggest scaling it back a bit.
(1)
Reply
(0)
CPT Chase Sanger
CPT Chase Sanger
>1 y
At my old BN in the 82nd, our Battalion Operations Sergeant (Master Sergeant), had served as the First Sergeant in one of our Batteries, then moved up to Battalion Staff before he retired. EVERYONE referred to him as Master Sergeant. It was actually part of my "welcome to the unit" talk to address him as such. I felt it was giving respect to a man that had put 20+ years in (all in the 82nd mind you). While the regs state differently, I think its one of those areas where its not hurting anyone to bend the rule a little and give the extra respect where its due.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Cynthia Eyer
1
1
0
I have always agreed with that. For my Staff Sergeants I call them Staff, for all other ranks I honored them with their full rank. If that’s your way of honoring them then make it happen. Your younger Soldiers will, hopefully, follow your fine example.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CW2 Cecil Copley
1
1
0
I am a retured Chief Warrant Officer. Fir many years i was only called “Mister” because that is the official manner to verbally address a Warrant Officer.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.