Posted on Aug 23, 2014
Addressing a MSG, SFC & SSG as “Sergeant.” Does anyone else think this is disrespectful?
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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.”
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 123
When a Soldier, Sailor, Marine or Airman achieves their rank, they have earned that respect to be called by their rank regardless of regulations, it is professionalism at it's finest. Otherwise why not take the next step of disrespect and call one another Troop!
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The Army directs that all NCOs be addressed as "Sergeant" because all NCOs are sergeants, other words added to their rank are simply descriptors to describe their grade. Staff Sergeant originates from the British Army, a sergeant serving as a clerk etc on the staff had a crown placed above his stripes and given the rank of Staff Sergeant. Sergeant First Class and Master Sergeant come from experience and are used to distinguish them from lower sergeants. There are two exceptions to be made. The first comes with the First Sergeant is a position rather than a rank. A 1SG can be described as a MSG that has been given authority over a company sized element. This is the first time you will see this. Staff Sergeants are not just squad leaders. They are also recruiters, drill sergeants, section sergeants, NCOICs etc. The only place you will find a 1SG is in a 1SG slot. During the Civil War, a Sergeant Major was a Sergeant that had been given responsibility over a regiment. So again we find ourselves addressing the position. After WWII, Sergeants Major were found on staffs and we're separated into the ranks of SGM and CSM. Sergeants Major are still addressed as Sergeant Major as a call back to their roots.
(I've done a lot of historical research into ranks, structure and their origin, none of this is based on experience.)
(I've done a lot of historical research into ranks, structure and their origin, none of this is based on experience.)
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I always address a MSG as "Master Sergeant." I however don't always differentiate between SFC and SSG, usually I refer to either as Sergeant. I feel like if a 1SG is addressed as "First Sergeant", a MSG deserves the same.
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I disagree. We are not the marine corps. Army regulation outlines how we are to address NCOs. Even when working joint with marines, I explained what the army said about addressing by full rank. I still made it their option, but it's what is appropriate.
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Although I absolutely agree and make every effort to use the full rank when I know it. If I'm offering a greeting, and had minimal to calculate the rank, I know how much Army and Marine enlisted hate being called sir, so I must admit, if not Air Force, I've been guilty of saying, "Morning, Sergeant!" I'd rather do this, which is accepted as opposed to guessing the rank too quickly and making the mistake of calling them by a lower rank!
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No Sergeant it's not disrespectful, it's been this way for a long long time. So why do you think it should be changed now? You'll get called by your full rank when you are about to get your ass chewed, LOL!!
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Sergeant by itself IS BY ITSELF respectful. Addressing an NCO by their full rank when above the grade of E5 can be either a signal of increased respect, or a signal that whomever is addressing that NCO feels the NCO has an inflated sense of self worth.
When in doubt, refer to the regulation in question.
When in doubt, refer to the regulation in question.
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Each service has its particular culture on how said respective service members address one another. I learned the hard way addressing a Marine by Sergeant and not by their actual earned rank was a no-no. When corrected, I admitted my ignorance and ensured never to do it again. However, Air Force and Army may and are typically addressed as Sergeant So-and-So. The Navy well, that's Petty Officer So-And-So, but only if you're not aware of their rate (MOS/AFSC). On that note, I don't in any way believe addressing an enlisted Soldier by Sergeant So-And-So is in any way disrespectful.
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