Air Force Terms of Address

2015-08-31T19:04:50-04:00

I haven't been able to find any guidance on this, and I've noticed some bases seem to have different standards.

Do you address your First Sergeant as "First Sergeant?" Or do you address them by their rank?

Ex:
"Good afternoon First Sergeant."

Same question for Command Chief's.

Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Aug 31 at 2015 7:08 PM

2015-08-31T19:08:22-04:00

Either is acceptable.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Aug 31 at 2015 7:15 PM

2015-08-31T19:15:46-04:00

For First Sergeants, they are addressed as First Sgt, their Rank or informally as "Shirt"

For Command Chief's they are normally formally Addressed as Command Chief XXXXX or Chief XXX or just Chief.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2015 7:23 PM

2015-08-31T19:23:16-04:00

We called the back up shirt.......undershirts......lol

But anyway First Sergeant if formal......Shirt informal......Rank if needed to get their attention....ie., Calling out MSgt Stacy.....you would never call out First Shirt Stacy.......good question.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Aug 31 at 2015 7:38 PM

2015-08-31T19:38:29-04:00

Via AFI36-2618, The Little Brown Book, here are all terms of address.
E1 - Airman Basic or Airman
E2 - Airman
E3 - Airman First Class or Airman, unofficial is literally A1C.
E4 - Senior Airman or Airman
E5 - Staff Sergeant or Sergeant
E6 - Technical Sergeant or Sergeant (Short: Tech Sergeant not listed but is also used.)
E7 - Master Sergeant or Sergeant
E8 - Senior Master Sergeant or Sergeant ("Senior" is officially listed as not acceptable.)
E9 - Chief Master Sergeant or Chief

Special SNCOs
E9 CMSAF - Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force or Chief
E9 CCM - Here is where it starts to enter the gray area. The book doesn't specify, by now we know Chief is acceptable. The full "Command Chief Master Sergeant" can also be assumed to be correct. Unofficially Shortening it to Command Chief is also allowed, at least by some.
E7-E9 First Sergeant is also unfortunately not listed. In most cases that I have seen terms of address could include: First Sergeant, Sergeant, Shirt, First Shirt, Chief (for E9 Shirt of course), rarely Top. I think that's it, at least that I know off hand.

This was probably far larger of an answer than you really wanted. Realistically it will probably depend on your base and unit as to what certain people refer to others as. I have always called the First Sergeants either Sergeant or Shirt and the CCM just Chief, Command Chief if I need to specify. I am sure those are addressed somewhere in the regs as well but when in doubt, do as the rest of your unit does. That or just ask, Shirt shouldn't light you up for asking an honest question like that.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2015 8:57 PM

2015-08-31T20:57:45-04:00

Just don't call them from the city jail!

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2015 9:00 PM

2015-08-31T21:00:59-04:00

Read your little brown book. It will provide you with all the answers you need.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2015 9:54 PM

2015-08-31T21:54:40-04:00

At my base it depends in the Group the First Sergeant is over. In my group we call them by their rank and name. Some of the older members (TIS) call him/her First Sergeant or even "Shirt". So far they respond to them all and I haven't seen or heard them tell anyone to call them by a specific title.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2015 10:40 PM

2015-08-31T22:40:33-04:00

I call them First Sergeant and haven't yet been told otherwise.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2015 1:03 AM

2015-09-01T01:03:28-04:00

In the Air Force, 1st Shirts are usually addressed by their title. That does not mean you cannot address them as MSgt, SMSgt or CMSgt/ Chief, as that is also their rank. If a Shirt does not want you to call him 1st Sergeant, he/she will let you know. Either way, until you are directed otherwise, you're good to go with either addressing by rank or job title.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Sep 1 at 2015 2:37 AM

2015-09-01T02:37:15-04:00

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member friendly advice?
You are an A1C. I would address my seniors by proper rank (that way you are not trying to be a fishing buddy) and then ask what that individual's preferred term of address is. And you may want to get your butt out of the seat it is in when doing that. (side note, that would hold true of Ben aka SrA Private RallyPoint Member who was giving you some advice-perhaps not the get out of your seat, but the proper address-it just shows discipline and respect).

Refer to the following examples: as they pertain to the question
Ex. The Command Chief, may prefer to be called Command Chief, or Chief, who knows. And on a bad day, you will not get it right. And why would you be talking to the Command Chief anyway?
Ex. The Senior Master Sergeant may prefer Senior or SMSgt, who knows, and on a bad day, you will not get it right. But then, if you are talking with the SMSgt, things may not be as rosy as we had hoped they would.
Ex. The First Sergeant-Well, who are we kidding? If you are talking with the First Sergeant, you have problems to begin with right?

There is a lot of truth in jest. However. Be respectful, address them by their rank-not by abbreviations, until you have learned what is acceptable. You cannot go wrong by going proper. You can righteously screw yourself into the ground by thinking that you can just start using abbreviations-not that you would, as you are here, on RP, asking for the right way.

PS, Each Service varies-for example, if you were to call a Marine Gunnery Sergeant {GySgt, Gunny, (E-7)} a Sergeant, watch for the fireworks.

Good luck

Response by 1SG Patrick Sims made Sep 1 at 2015 4:02 AM

2015-09-01T04:02:10-04:00

Generally a 1st Sergeant is addressed as First Sergeant or Top.

Response by MSgt Jim Wolverton made Sep 1 at 2015 9:31 AM

2015-09-01T09:31:36-04:00

Rank, First Sergeant is a job not a rank.

Response by MSgt Jim Wolverton made Sep 1 at 2015 9:42 AM

2015-09-01T09:42:14-04:00

The EFS is what you should go by, not preference. When in doubt, rank, always.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 1 at 2015 9:43 AM

2015-09-01T09:43:37-04:00

Unless the Army is more formal than the Navy, (which I doubt) I will speak for the squid component. We are normally addressed as Chief, regardless of E-7 through E-9, except in certain more formal circumstances.

Response by SMSgt Cary Baker made Sep 1 at 2015 3:35 PM

2015-09-01T15:35:42-04:00

I'm retired AF, 28 yrs, SMSgt - you address them as First Sergeant. You can call a Command Chief - Chief.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2015 5:22 PM

2015-09-01T17:22:27-04:00

"What's up, shirt!"

Response by TSgt James Richmond made Sep 1 at 2015 9:40 PM

2015-09-01T21:40:44-04:00

First Sgt or first shirt

Response by TSgt Gwen Walcott made Sep 1 at 2015 9:41 PM

2015-09-01T21:41:00-04:00

We are NOT Army -- He is Sergeant --- the only exception are the super-zebras: They rate being called Chief!
(or at least, that's the way things were 30-50 years ago

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2015 7:36 AM

2015-09-15T07:36:16-04:00

Being a First Sergeant we are addressed usually as First Sergeant or simply Shirt. Top you still hear once in a while by us old timers. Rank and name are exceptable and no one should take offense to it although it is nice to be addressed as First Sergeant.

Response by TSgt Gwen Walcott made Oct 8 at 2015 10:11 PM

2015-10-08T22:11:07-04:00

Sergeant

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2015 11:04 PM

2015-10-17T23:04:24-04:00

Any are acceptable, but rank or first sergeant are more formal. As an A1C I'd stay away from saying shirt for a little bit.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2015 11:15 PM

2015-10-17T23:15:20-04:00

The Air Force rank structure and associated insignias are so odd compared to the other services. Like an E-3 Already has chevrons... Weird. Is the only branch I haven't learned the ranks. Sorry Air Forces guy you get a vague greeting of the day lol

Response by CCMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2016 12:54 PM

2016-04-21T12:54:13-04:00

Sir, if you see a diamond is First Sergeant. The only time you don't have address her/him as First Sergeant is when wearing also a Chief (E-9). I had the privilege to be a First Sergeant from Master to Chief and if you asked me what I preferred to be called when I was Chief???? Call me First baby!! It was the most outstanding professional experience, military and civilian, I ever had!!!! Thank you all for giving me that opportunity!!!!

Response by MSgt Michael Uhl made May 7 at 2016 10:15 PM

2016-05-07T22:15:20-04:00

You address them as First Sergeant.

Response by CMSgt Gary Fichman made Sep 16 at 2016 11:49 PM

2016-09-16T23:49:10-04:00

I'm with the Brown Book. Rank is always correct. I always enjoyed answering the phone Sergeant Fichman when I was an Senior Master Sergeant and then meeting someone later. By the way I was "Doc" for years on remote sites.

Response by 1stSgt Anthony Villano made May 3 at 2017 8:33 PM

2017-05-03T20:33:12-04:00

I always felt being addressed as sergeant or shirt was appropriate. SSgt through SMSgt should always be addressed as Sgt (last name). The only sergeant I never addressed as sergeant was a Chief if I knew what was good for me.

Response by CCMSgt James Helms made Jul 18 at 2017 10:36 PM

2017-07-18T22:36:18-04:00

A CMSGT regardless of his position is normally addressed as "Chief." A command Chief is a position, not a rank and a CMSGT who is filling a first sergeant position is not normally addressed as "First Sergeant," he she is also addressed as "Chief." At the CMSGT of the AF position, the rank is written: "CMSGTAF" which is the highest position a CMSGT can reach. Nonetheless, he/she would still be addressed as "Chief."

Response by SSgt Russell Stevens made Jun 13 at 2018 11:12 PM

2018-06-13T23:12:53-04:00

In a formal situation always use their rank. Informally it depends on the individual but it's wise to play it safe and address them by their rank in this instance also.