As a NCO, do you require Soldiers to address you in passing?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 14:49:58 -0400

While we are required to salute Commissioned Officers, I've noticed that Enlisted Soldiers are quite comfortable walking pass a NCO their senior without acknowledgment. Do you care?

Response by SGT William B. made Apr 6 at 2014 2:54 PM

SGT William B. — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 14:54:23 -0400

SSG,

I think that's a societal issue. I acknowledge everyone in passing, even out of uniform around civilians. I came from a smaller town where social groups were diverse enough to ensure you'd meet strangers, but everyone's social circles invariably had some common members too. It always bugs me when you can't acknowledge another human being in passing, much less someone who outranks you.

Response by SSG Paul Morgan made Apr 6 at 2014 6:15 PM

SSG Paul Morgan — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 18:15:35 -0400

<div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 13.5px; font-family: serif; left: 205.2px; top: 706.681px; transform: rotate(0deg) scale(1.07728, 1); transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px;" data-angle="0" data-font-name="g_font_2068_0" data-canvas-width=" [login to see] 9999994">I do expect soldiers to give a greeting of the day.  I always give a greeting of the day to anyone I see, juniors, peers, and seniors alike.  Almost everyone returns my greeting.  If they are junior to me and do not return my greeting, I will say something briefly. There's a few reasons why I "require" a greeting of the day.  First is that FM 7.21.13 says soldiers should greet NCOs with a greeting of the day.  Second is that I find it rude not to acknowledge another human being regardless of rank.  Third, I've just acknowledged you and I find it down-right uncivilized to ignore someone's greeting. Of course there's plenty of times when its not practical to give a greeting, just like it's not practical to always go to parade rest when addressing an NCO.  I don't get upset if someone junior to me doesn't initiate a greeting.  I also don't yell or go on a tirade, I just let them know they should give a greeting of the day to NCOs.</div>

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 6 at 2014 7:02 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 19:02:33 -0400

I never gave it much thought. Don't know if it is because I grew up in the cold big city or that I am a sailor. Always like to hear Good Morning Chip or Good Morning CT1. I would probably say that I am not a big fan of Good Morning Petty Officer Nagel. Usually from my Superiors and it might go down hill from there. If you know my Rate Fine if you know my Name fine. If not oh well.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 8:32 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 08:32:04 -0400

If we're going to go this route why not go all the way and bring back bracing? In all seriousness, senior enlisted are not officers. If they want special treatment like officers then they should have gone to ROTC or OCS. I'm all for a polite "good morning, sergeant major" when walking past the battalion CSM, but to require it is a step too far in my opinion.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Apr 7 at 2014 11:21 AM

SPC Christopher Smith — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 11:21:56 -0400

I grew up to address everyone, in or out of uniform. Personally if I made NCO/Officer I wouldn't care if someone addressed me, I don't get my rocks off knowing that you know I out rank you.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Apr 7 at 2014 11:44 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 11:44:38 -0400

I "gave up" worrying about this somewhere around 2002....I think if I continued to worry about it I would have lost my rabbit-assed mind; I would have spent more time correcting troops than actually accomplishing any kind of work during the day. I remember when I graduated OSUT in Jan '88 and reported to my first duty station, I spent a good deal of my time at parade rest on sidewalks as NCOs passed by that I wasn't sure I would be at the right place at the right time lol....maybe one day these young Soldiers will be returned to the type of discipline that was common prior to 9/11. As for you NCOs today, "Treat 'Em Rough!!"

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Apr 7 at 2014 12:33 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 12:33:08 -0400

Army or not, I was taught you speak when passing anyone. At home if someone walked by me without saying something and vice versa it was considered disrespectful. Thats just how I grew up, not saying that's the way it should be.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Apr 7 at 2014 12:59 PM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 12:59:15 -0400

I agree with SSG Burns I was raised that you speak to anyone or at least a nod as you pass someone. So i speak to everyone when I pass them!

Response by MSG Cameron Davis made Apr 7 at 2014 1:35 PM

MSG Cameron Davis — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 13:35:45 -0400

I may be crazy but I thought there was a regulation out there that said something along the lines of giving a greeting when you pass. personally I always give a greeting so yes, I expect one too!

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Apr 7 at 2014 5:12 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 17:12:53 -0400

I do care!  I try to make eye with whomever the Soldier or civilian is while in passing AND if I do not receive a greeting of the day from the Soldier, then I offer one up to them.  That short encounter tells me a little bit about that specific Soldier at that point in time, if he or she seems stressed or overwhelmed it really gives me the opportunity to help them.  Also, when I see someone doing something positive (pick up trash/just doing the right thing), I typically thank them and also shake their hand.  We are in the people business, and our Soldiers are people too.

Response by MSG Martin C. made Apr 7 at 2014 6:31 PM

MSG Martin C. — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 18:31:37 -0400

This is something that is near and dear to my heart. I
recently was assigned to the United Sates Drill Sergeant School and we had a
policy of the greeting of the day. As NCOs it is something that has being lost
in the Army being courteous. The Commandant and the deputy commandant were on
TDY an while at the airport in Columbia SC, and Atlanta they passed by hundreds
of soldiers and not once were they greet it or acknowledged. Upon they return
the initiated the greeting of the day policy and contacted the other CSM on the
installation to make this something that need it to be instilled into the young
soldiers.

I believe that we do not need a regulation to be polite; we
should greet and acknowledged all NCOs not only 1SG and above; being an NCO it’s
a big deal SGT and up if Soldiers don’t look at it that way is because NCOs
gave their power away and promotions became a matter of a pay check. I
challenge anyone out there to try it an begin the greeting of the day and
proper acknowledgement by subordinates it may change the dynamics of your unit.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 6:38 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 18:38:03 -0400

I really don't pay any attention to being addressed while passing. In my civilian job I greet everyone I pass. I do the same on drill status no matter the rank, I'm usually the first to give the greeting of the day. It's just habit from being in the customer service field.

Response by CPL Stephen Kirt made Apr 7 at 2014 6:51 PM

CPL Stephen Kirt — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 18:51:28 -0400

I always say something, but lately I've noticed a lot of NCO's who purposely turn their heads and look away as if they don't want to say anything. I still say something just cause I was always told to address your seniors.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2014 8:58 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 08:58:50 -0400

I think the greeting of the day should be at least the minimum. It was the way I was brought up.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Apr 8 at 2014 9:55 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 09:55:42 -0400

Greeting someone is just the proper thing to do regardless of rank. I think the world would be a little bit better if people would just take a second when you pass someone and just "Good morning/afternoon/night" or whatever.

As far as in the military, I made sure to greet everyone and I would stop a Junior Enlisted if they passed me or someone of higher rank and didn't give the greeting.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Apr 8 at 2014 10:57 AM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 10:57:10 -0400

I do care! And - I always set the example I expect from others. If I would let anyone pass without a greeting (or at least an acknowledgment - Hello/Hi/Good Day/Greetings, etc) of some kind, that would be a poor example! People are the reason our services exist and we can't lose sight of that. A simple greeting should not be too much to ask (regardless of rank).

It is also an opportunity for those who really listen to the replies to use that as a way to offer assistance. What do I mean? It's meaningless for me to hear others walk by and say, "How you doin?" with a standard response - "Good". I believe this is meaningless and routine in 99% of the cases. So I combat that routine behavior with a non-standard (and honest/truthful) response. If asked how I am, I always respond "Better than I deserve!" - which is most cases solicits a unique reaction and allows me to engage and offer some positive encouragement.

I know many of you reading might attribute my response to Dave Ramsey - and that's true. It happens that we both believe the same thing. :-)

Smiles are also contagious and you just never know how a positive thing you say to someone today will affect them - it could be that you change a life forever. (think about it - has anyone ever said something to you that you will always remember?)

Let your light shine so others see Him in your actions!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2014 11:07 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 11:07:47 -0400

Yes I care because it is our job as NCOs to enforce regulations. This particular action is covered in 7-21.13. So many times we hear that term "we need to get back to the basics". This is pretty basic to me. It is a discipline tool just as much as anything else we do/enforce. It also raises situational awareness of the Soldiers.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2014 9:59 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 21:59:48 -0400

It does not bother me if I am not given the greeting of the day. However, I do give the greeting of the day to Soldiers, NCOs, Officers and civilians because it is how I was raised in the military. I will correct someone for not returning a greeting if I greet them first because they have to understand it's the right thing to do. In my OSUT company we teach our Soldiers to give the greeting of the day no matter what because it's about customs and courtesies.

Response by CW4 Michael Little made Apr 8 at 2014 11:57 PM

CW4 Michael Little — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 23:57:25 -0400

Ft Riley 2003, I was SSG Little walking into the motor pool with CW3 Shaver, the BN Maint Tech. I stopped a young Soldier that failed to salute and give the appropriate greeting to that Senior Warrant Officer, and did what was expected of a proud member of the 'backbone of the Army'. Once I corrected the Soldier and caught back up with Chief, he told me that wasn't necessary and that it wasn't that big of a deal. That stuck with me, and today I still flashback to that day whenever a young Soldier doesn't salute or recognize me as we pass. I don't fault CW3 Shaver, he was the quiet professional and his humility was a bit stronger than mine is today.

The difference between then and now is the increase in how many times I see Soldiers failing that simple task, and the increase in the number of NCOs that don't step in as I did years ago to be the standard bearer. I worry that old timers like us (the lot that remember when standards like this were common-place), are fading away into the sunset, leaving the next generation of leaders lacking the compassion, training and patience necessary to stop a Soldier, identify if a correction is needed based on a lack of professionalism or a lack of training, and correct it accordingly. When I look across the ranks today I see a generation of young leaders that haven't been adequately trained to look another human being in the eye and tell them that they are wrong, without hiding behind someone else's authority, or just blindly screaming to mask their own insecurity.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2014 1:14 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 01:14:54 -0400

YES, HELL YES, is there any other answer than YES? 1. it's not about "getting your rocks off", it's about discipline, respect for the rank and courtesy to the individual as stated in AR 600-20 para 4–3. Military courtesy a. Courtesy among members of the Armed Forces is vital to maintain military discipline. Respect to seniors will be extended at all times. 2. NCOs are invested in an enlisted Soldier's career, Soldiers should be busting out with a GOOD MORNING/AFTERNOON/EVENING SERGEANT, FIRST SERGEANT or SERGEANT MAJOR because it is the NCOs that sit on Soldier's promotion boards, counsel Soldier's good and bad, stick up for Soldiers during NJP. NCOs are all around responsible for the health and welfare of the enlisted Soldiers and the reason most Soldiers succeed in the Army. We are responsible for Physical Training, instilling discipline and overall Soldier training, whether it be Warrior Tasks in basic, Advanced Individual Training for a MOS or expectations and specific duties related to the Unit or post. NCOs are there from the start until the finish in a Soldiers life and career, we will put in the extra time away from our families to ensure the Soldiers are a success, for that reason Junior Soldiers should be showing that respect for not only our rank, but also for what we as NCOs do for them. To those who say "they don't require it", thank you for making my job a little harder and making me stick out a little more than I already do, because I do not allow a Soldier or Jr NCO to pass me without a greeting. I extend the greeting and expect it back if not given to me before I can get a greeting out. If I don't get a greeting, the Soldier or NCO is stopped, we have a little training on the above paragraph, what it means for the discipline of the unit and how the Soldier or NCO is doing that day. This is not a corporation or general run of the mill job, this is a organization that we belong to with requirements. We are supposed to be better than our civilian counterparts, more disciplined and more physically and mentally fit. You can learn alot by enforcing the regulations, you don't need to go all crazy wild and PARADE REST right off the top. Showing that you care about the Soldier enough to stop them see how they are doing, train them on where they were wrong and what they should be doing will make differences in how Soldiers react the next time and how much more disciplined they are in the future. Remember these Soldiers are our replacements, when we leave, if the Army turns in to an undisciplined mess, it is our collective fault for not enforcing "the little things".

Response by SSG Jeffrey Spencer made Apr 9 at 2014 2:15 PM

SSG Jeffrey Spencer — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 14:15:45 -0400

The individual may need some learning in social etiquette, which is not taught later in life.

On the side of Army NCO experience, I used to tell my reports "Don't call me sir! I work for a living!"

Response by SPC Mikki Ekanger made Apr 10 at 2014 6:48 PM

SPC Mikki Ekanger — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 18:48:31 -0400

I never was an NCO but I'd like to answer your question with a question. If you don't train our troops and set the standard of practicing courtesies (In passing) then what's the point of courtesy? I thought giving the "Greeting of the day," to the NCO in passing was The Standard.

I've seen a standard apply where if you know you'll be seeing that NCO/ Officer several times a day that you'd show the proper courtesy (Greeting of the day or saluting for officers) in the morning and address using proper titles. I've seen a few exceptions to this where in a squad level the NCO may allow his troops to resort to a nickname. In my case I still tried to add the rank in front of the nickname even at squad levels.

This issue is kind of a big one for me when I consider my first unit a lot of us would go out on the town usually in a group and we'd have a LT come with us. I called him "Sir" to which he told me to call him by his first name. While we were off duty, I didn't feel comfortable with that so I met in the middle by calling him LT. It was a "Less Formal" title and still not his first name.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2014 5:35 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 May 2014 05:35:37 -0400

Wow! I never knew it could be taken offensive because of the NCO position. I'm glad I read this. I always give a greeting to whomever I pass, but there have been some days where I pass NCO's and they just don't look to be in a good mood, and I just nod at them or avoid eye contact. I'll keep this in mind.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2014 7:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 19:20:49 -0400

Yes, I do care. To me, it's a sign of disrespect.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2014 10:55 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 22:55:02 -0400

Always!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2014 7:58 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 07:58:25 -0400

The greeting of the day is a standard that has been destroyed and very hard to bring back. If I were to stop every soldier that failed to give me the greeting of the day I would never get anywhere.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2014 8:19 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 08:19:37 -0400

Actually Army regulation requires it, I as a NCO enforce regulations!

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2014 9:51 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 09:51:27 -0400

I acknowledge everyone that I pass. It has nothing to do with rank, I do not care if you are a Seaman Recruit E-1, Gunnery Sgt E7 or the Chief of Naval Operations, I am going to acknowledge you as I walk past.

It is about respect, respect for your fellow brothers and sisters in arms, respect for the uniform regardless of the rank. If you do not show respect to everyone who wears the uniform, how can you expect respect from them.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2014 9:10 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 21:10:18 -0400

To me it was natural to do it. It is a way to show respect for the NCO rank and a basic courtesy that is not hard to do. I still do it, to this day, when I pass NCOs of higher rank.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2014 9:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 21:51:11 -0400

Of course, FM 7-21.13 Chapter 4 requires the Greeting of the day to passed from Soldiers to NCOs in passing. This maintains good order and discipline within an organization. Uncorrected behavior or not correcting an on the spot deficiency only sets a new standard. Rather than upholding the current one.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2014 12:22 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 12:22:57 -0400

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Yep! I'm with you on that. I think the "greeting of the day" is totally Army. When I'm on the pier, 6 to 8 ships per pier, 3000 to 12,000 sailors on that pier I have little interest in hearing "good morning PO1" 12,000 times, much less responding 12,000 times. In my book, any E-8/9 that feels they JUST GOTTA HAVE that instant subservience due to an enlisted ranking is to be totally avoided at all costs. That being said, in the Navy you'd never get that sort of response .... apparently in the Army it's a big deal. That's probably one of the reasons I always got the stinkeye from Army E-9's when I didn't give them their "due" when I was in a joint environment - which was a lot.

Response by SSG William Patton made Sep 1 at 2014 12:55 PM

SSG William Patton — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 12:55:51 -0400

When I became a SSG I learned that being acknowledged in an environment rich with soldiers of lower rank could be a pain in the neck. I realized then, but only then, how it was when I felt duty bound to acknowledge NCOs or officers when I was a PFC or SP4. When I was a private at Ft. Monmouth, we had officers every where and it was fun for us to string out in a long line and salute these poor butter bars until their arms fell off. Eventually, the post commander got wind of our little game and ordered all of us march in formation to class and from classes. It was fun while it lasted. Just something to break up the monotany and to poke the arrogant second balloons.

Response by MSgt James Bowers made Mar 2 at 2016 9:31 PM

MSgt James Bowers — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 21:31:12 -0500

Common courtesy demands a greeting, not the rank. Respect and honor your comrades in passing, we are all of the same cloth and are a closed fraternity. Treat each other with respect.
I never pass anyone without eye contact and a nod. Be "that guy"

Response by SPC Tony Bucaro made Jun 21 at 2016 4:31 PM

SPC Tony Bucaro — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 16:31:44 -0400

I was in from 1989-1997 and ALWAYS addressed an NCO when passing. I know that was a long time ago but .... now that I'm a DoD employee, I still address every NCO I come across. From the gate guards to the NCO's who come into my office. I always make it a point to address them. Some appreciate it and others don't. I have seen it go both ways! I do it out of respect.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jun 23 at 2016 4:58 PM

1SG Michael Blount — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:58:47 -0400

Yes, and they'll hear about it if I don't get a greeting of the day

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2019 5:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 17:48:00 -0400

Only bothers me if I say "hello" first and they don't aknowledge.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2019 10:32 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 10:32:58 -0400

I do it everyday it’s so sad that some NCO will not even respond back. Soldiers in the Army will make and contact and don’t even speak. Lord I miss those days in the Marines. But the Army is different only 30% of the NCO enforce standards