Posted on Sep 28, 2015
SN Greg Wright
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So my son's friend joined the Army several months ago. My son and he are pretty much best friends, and he's a good kid. Recently, he was arguing with my son about an Army Captain not having to salute the Naval version because they're "the same rank". My son, who has spent his life listening to me muse about the vagaries of the Navy, knew better and corrected his friend.

This made me wonder if the Army doesn't teach recruits other service's ranks in boot? In my day, the Navy made us learn them all. Is this not common across all 5 services?
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 221
LTC Stephen F.
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Edited >1 y ago
When I was an Army Captain it was always enjoyable when I had to contact a naval station or base about something SN Greg Wright. Whenever I said my name and rank as CPT Ford they assumed CAPT Ford and the tone of the conversation changed to their obvious demonstration of respect for a Navy VIP [O-6 is considered VIP officially]. I would always tell them I was an Army Captain but it was interesting to see how the difference in rank made so much impact. :-)
FYI ]CDR (Join to see)CDR Andrew McMenamin, PhD SPC James Ward
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1SG(P) Dean Mcbride (MPER) (SPHR)
1SG(P) Dean Mcbride (MPER) (SPHR)
10 mo
I was a Master Sergeant in Hawaii as the Director of PNCOC for the 25th Infantry Division. My wife was an Army Nurse (Captain) at Tripler Army Medical Center. Sometimes we would go to the Navy Officers Club for dinner (less chance of uncomfortable encounters with Army officers (who we knew) at the Army Officers Clubs). When I called for reservations, due to it being the Officer's Club, I would need to make them in my wife's name. I would announce myself as Master Sergeant McBride calling to make a reservation for Captain McBride. After the first time of encountering confusion, I changed the request verbage to making a reservation for "Army" Captain McBride... I think they appreciated the open honesty over the Army Captains that tried to get preferential treatment...
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PO2 Doreen Chapman
PO2 Doreen Chapman
9 mo
We had a Marine CPT as the scheduler at the Navy Weapons Training Facility I was at in Puerto Rico. She loved her rank until she got promoted to MAJ. It was like she got a promotion and demotion the same day.
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Sgt Michael Clifford
Sgt Michael Clifford
7 mo
Don't know about today but in the 60's when I went though Paris Island we recited the rank eqivelencies as a part of oiur evening prayers every night before we were told to mount our racks. We were tested on them as well.
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PO2 Christopher Foss
PO2 Christopher Foss
5 mo
LTC Stephen F. I had the reverse, as my ex-wife was an Army Reservist. They didn't know how to handle Petty Officer Foss calling, assuming that I was a Warrant Officer.
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SFC Dennis Yancy
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Nope not taught. You hope when you screw up the other guy will instruct you leaving some of your ass left.
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MSG Jacqueline Case
MSG Jacqueline Case
12 mo
SPC Robert Nasiff
I don’t doubt you were not taught the rank structure THEN, but I went to BT in 1982 and they did. I was a recruiter 1995-1999 and I introduced all my recruits to it prior to them shipping.
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PFC Jessica Warner Sorensen
PFC Jessica Warner Sorensen
12 mo
We learned only USMC and Navy ranks. I was at PI in 2002-2003
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GySgt Troy Wiltshire
GySgt Troy Wiltshire
10 mo
PFC Jessica Warner Sorensen - seriously? I went to MCRD San Diego in 97 and we had to learn all the ranks of all the different services. But I still have never figured out Air Force enlisted ranks…too many stripes and rockers at low ranks
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LCpl Russell Potter
LCpl Russell Potter
9 mo
when I was at MCRD Pairs Island in 1981 we were to Taught the all services ranks.only a dirty dog shit bird would have not paid attention in Boot camp..
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Sgt Ronald Petroski
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respect works both ways i dont care what branch or college. same dam contract. you maybe saving each others life one day
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SSG Matthew Fox
SSG Matthew Fox
9 mo
Well Sergeant, you know as well as I do that the military respects the RANK, not the person. The person has to earn said respect, but rank will damn well get it's due respect.
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SSG Matthew Fox
SSG Matthew Fox
9 mo
PO1 Jim Spencer keep believing that and see how far that gets you.
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PO1 David Kingsley
PO1 David Kingsley
5 mo
my dad was an O-3 in the Air Force, having graduated from West Point in '52.
I had no clue about Air force Enlisted Ranks,
When I enlisted, I learned the Difference in the Officer Ranks and learned the Navy Enlisted Ranks. If they had more chevron's rocker's than I did, I would respect them, regardless even though I had no clue what their rank title was
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SFC Lyle Green
SFC Lyle Green
1 mo
IMO, this is just another nail in the coffin of Military discipline, respect, and basic knowledge of courtesy. Is it due to the narcissistic, self-centered, "me me me me", arrogance of just plain stupidly of their uniform? Uniforms, branch of service, like or dislike, is all irrelevant once you take the oath and step forward acknowledging your compliance of sworn duty to serve and protect? Of course, being an antique of the primitive order of service, this new reformed, feelgood, "everybody gets a trophy" and inclusions of what you "think" you are or convinced of what you should be, produced by whining or pouting you been mistreated. From what I gather at a distance is, proving, demonstrating, your quality of character, and "spunk" as an old acquaintance I met called it. Though this man was well acquainted with these required personality virtues he pegged as having Spunk. Telling us during once when he was the CO of B.U,D.S. where only 1 out of 120 applicants would make it through HELL WEEEK. Those cocky macho heman muscled up conceited gym heroes were the first to break/ drop out, he always looked for and wonted for the polite, respectful, disciplined, well-mannered young men that always showed spirit via acknowledging authority with diligence of attitude, with posture and saluting in any circumstance regardless of who or what the officer position was. SPUNK! They were the ones that stuck it out and graduated.
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