Posted on Mar 10, 2016
Anyone know what Army Regulation (or any branch) that allows a higher-ranking officer to call a lower-ranking officers by their first name?
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Professionalism
Customs and Courtesies
Tradition
Rank
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 202
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One of my captains started calling me by my first name right before he got out, it was kind of nice to hear from a man I had respected as a leader since I joined the unit. I had no issues with it what so ever.
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I had SGM call his Senior NCO'S by their 1st name and no one cared. I was surprised at first being the Buck Sergeant. Then it was explained to me it was a compliment. The SGM was also a Vietnam Vet so we really weren't saying anything to him
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Have heard some VERY senior officers refer to their aides by first name, but not usually in front of others.
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I believe there is no regulation. It is both traditional and a gesture of respect. Why do you have a problem with it?
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Interesting. I am surprised so many are treating this as a "rank has its privilges" take and that somehow this is a shortcout or some kind of demeaning action.
This is a sign of respect. The officer corps is supposed to be a tight knit group and being called by your first name by your superior is not laziness or a form of bravado. Its a sign that your sommander/supervisor accepts you as part of the team and connects with you at a personal level. It is meant to put the individual at ease.
Likewise, I remember my first flight in a C17 headed from iraq to kuwait. I went up wanting to see the cockpit. The plane's CPT instructedted me, a 1LT, to call him by his first name as he said I could strap in and ridw with them up there. Strange to me, Airforce is even more lax. But I can understand why given that aviation has its inherant dangers.
There is no regulation. There doesn't need to be.
This is a sign of respect. The officer corps is supposed to be a tight knit group and being called by your first name by your superior is not laziness or a form of bravado. Its a sign that your sommander/supervisor accepts you as part of the team and connects with you at a personal level. It is meant to put the individual at ease.
Likewise, I remember my first flight in a C17 headed from iraq to kuwait. I went up wanting to see the cockpit. The plane's CPT instructedted me, a 1LT, to call him by his first name as he said I could strap in and ridw with them up there. Strange to me, Airforce is even more lax. But I can understand why given that aviation has its inherant dangers.
There is no regulation. There doesn't need to be.
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CW4 (Join to see)
There actually is a regulation. AR 600-20 specifically details exactly how to address each and every rank. I knew this before I made this post. The purpose of the post was to identify how many "Leaders" are unaware of the regulation. When this "privilege" only goes from the top down and not from the bottom up, it is demeaning. It is disrespectful in some situations. It is unprofessional in all situations. Just because one AF Capt. gives you permission doesn't make it right.
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LTC (Join to see)
Fair enough CW4. However, of all the regulations to pick a fight over, I really think this is one of the more inncuous. I have only ever been called by my first name in the company of other officers. I see no lack of profession in it, I don't see how its demeaning.
If you want to pick a fight with some obscure non-regulation, I'd look into the individuals who feel calling a private a private is demeaning, demanding they be referred to as "warriors" or some other sugar coated name instead.
If it has affected you, adress it with your CDR and carry on. I think the vast majority of the officer corps doesn't mind or has other more important things to worry about than their CDR using their first name in the company of other officers.
Also, AR 600-20 may cover how to address each rank, however, it doesn't prohibit officers from calling each other by their first name. I doubt such a regulation even exists. Call it command discretion, which can be wide and far reaching. If the Division Commander wants to call his BN commanders by first name, which almost all do, I doubt anyone is going to throw 600-20 at him, let alone be annoyed by it.
If you want to pick a fight with some obscure non-regulation, I'd look into the individuals who feel calling a private a private is demeaning, demanding they be referred to as "warriors" or some other sugar coated name instead.
If it has affected you, adress it with your CDR and carry on. I think the vast majority of the officer corps doesn't mind or has other more important things to worry about than their CDR using their first name in the company of other officers.
Also, AR 600-20 may cover how to address each rank, however, it doesn't prohibit officers from calling each other by their first name. I doubt such a regulation even exists. Call it command discretion, which can be wide and far reaching. If the Division Commander wants to call his BN commanders by first name, which almost all do, I doubt anyone is going to throw 600-20 at him, let alone be annoyed by it.
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LCDR (Join to see)
There's nothing demeaning about a senior in rank having privileges that I don't. My XO calls me Ken, and I call him XO. He's a post-command Captain. He's earned it. I'm a Division Officer; I haven't earned that same privilege.
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Well, I had a Senior Rater call me by the wrong first name after 20 months and I was one of 2 officers that person Senior Rated. Made corrections but still did what they want. Whatever.
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Does it hurt the discipline & cohesion of the unit? If you have been around special operations troops, they use nicknames or first names constantly. They understand who is in charge, especially on mission. Higher rank may not be in charge of the mission, it may be those with the best skills. It is very unnerving when you are an NCO & some guy tells you to call him by his first name & then you find out he is a Force Recon major. Senior staff in those units still get the full military respect & titles though.
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