Posted on Apr 6, 2014
As a NCO, do you require Soldiers to address you in passing?
27.4K
141
85
5
5
0
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?
Posted in these groups: 
Customs and Courtesies
NCOs
Customs and Courtesies NCOs
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 37
0
0
0
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!"
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
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.
(0)
(0)
SPC Mikki Ekanger
I had a sergeant that made a soldier push for saluting with a cigarette in his fingers. The troop took it like a man and the Sergeant told him to just move his cigarette to the other hand.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
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.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
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.
(0)
(0)
SGM (Join to see)
I do not particularly need every Soldier I walk by to address me. What bothers me is if I say hello, which I always do if I make eye to eye contact, and they do not respond in kind. For fellow NCOs, regardless of their rank, I call them Sergeant (or their individual rank). I cannot stand to be replied to with "what's up man" or anything of the like. If I have enough courtesy to address a SGT by Sergeant, I expect something in return.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
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.
(0)
(0)
SPC Mikki Ekanger
I had a BG get behind me and put his hands on my shoulder and lower his hat so rank wasn't visible. He told me to keep walking because his arm was sore from saluting. When we got to where we were going I smiled and saluted him. He knew it was in fun and returned the salute and disappeared behind a door. In a lot of units I was in they'd tell us to give the greeting of the day but not to salute over and over. Some officers while they appreciated the courtesy got annoyed and would say "Carry On" before they were in range. Others would literally cross the street.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
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.
(0)
(0)
SSG Brad Shepherd jr
Damn right you do. It's respect.I retired 100% disabled after 18.9 years in 2005. I think it's the least you could do.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
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.
(0)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
Nope, off target again. This isn't a problem I personally have and I've never once stopped a Soldier for not speaking. I normally offer the greeting because that's how I was raised. However, an acknowledgement could be as simple as, "good morning/afternoon Sergeant."
Here's the backdrop: while getting off Staff Duty a Soldier walked into my CQ room and passed another SSG up. That SSG lit him up for not speaking when he entered.
Here's the backdrop: while getting off Staff Duty a Soldier walked into my CQ room and passed another SSG up. That SSG lit him up for not speaking when he entered.
(0)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
SSG M,
Could you elaborate how I'm off target? I understand that this isn't your problem as you said, but you are the creator of this topic and are the defacto devils advocate here. There are only two possible answers to the question this thread asks. Either it's completely acceptable to not acknowledge an NCO in passing, or some form of acknowledgment is required. If the latter, then whatever that acknowledgement is would be a form of a custom and courtesy. It would be something not just polite to do, but required by military regulation like saluting a commissioned officer. Even something as simple as your example of "good morning/afternoon sergeant" would apply here.
In short, when you say "I'm not suggesting Soldiers stop or render some form of predetermined honor to a NCO," then you would be wrong because that's the only other alternative if failing to acknowledge an NCO is wrong. Hopefully this has better explained my thought process here.
Could you elaborate how I'm off target? I understand that this isn't your problem as you said, but you are the creator of this topic and are the defacto devils advocate here. There are only two possible answers to the question this thread asks. Either it's completely acceptable to not acknowledge an NCO in passing, or some form of acknowledgment is required. If the latter, then whatever that acknowledgement is would be a form of a custom and courtesy. It would be something not just polite to do, but required by military regulation like saluting a commissioned officer. Even something as simple as your example of "good morning/afternoon sergeant" would apply here.
In short, when you say "I'm not suggesting Soldiers stop or render some form of predetermined honor to a NCO," then you would be wrong because that's the only other alternative if failing to acknowledge an NCO is wrong. Hopefully this has better explained my thought process here.
(1)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
I hate conversing through a computer. It takes out any chance of personality and honest dialogue. I didn't offer an opinion either way in any of my posts; just threw the scenario/issue out there. As you stated, I am indeed the defacto devil's advocate
My "off target" comment was directed to the "chip on the shoulder... must happen to me" comment from SGT L.
I absolutely see where you are coming from. Nonetheless, If I had to take a stance on the issue, it would lean towards a courtesy acknowledgement opposed to a hard requirement.
My "off target" comment was directed to the "chip on the shoulder... must happen to me" comment from SGT L.
I absolutely see where you are coming from. Nonetheless, If I had to take a stance on the issue, it would lean towards a courtesy acknowledgement opposed to a hard requirement.
I truthfully appreciate the back and forth between you and I. Not often can you discuss/debate and issue with people without emotion. The SSd I was on duty with I had a very similar discussion which led to this post.
(1)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
SSG Marsh,
Then it would seem we are in agreement as I too lean towards the same thing! I'm glad I've been a good sparring partner.
Then it would seem we are in agreement as I too lean towards the same thing! I'm glad I've been a good sparring partner.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google