Posted on Oct 16, 2015
Sgt Tom Cunnally
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I have not been called Sergeant Cunnally since 1961 & wonder if others would prefer being on a first name basis??....When I first became a member of RP and read some negative comments aimed at Sgt Cunnally I thought it was one of my cousins stirring up things here.. But then when I was blocked or got some "Downers"...I knew it must be me again stirring the pot..
Posted in these groups: 2dcac4a3 RallyPointOrange button protocol md Protocol
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 41
SCPO David Lockwood
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Once we take off the uniform it is not required to call us by our rank. We do this because it has been apart of our life and is ingrained in us. I also have no problem with someone calling me Dave, Senior or anything else! Just don't call me late for dinner! LOL!
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
>1 y
Ok I'm working on the "anything else" label...
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
>1 y
You can all just call me Master. :) :) :)
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
>1 y
MCPO Roger Collins -I'm still working on it..
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LTC Professor Of Military Science / Department Chair
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I prefer J over CPT or Sir...but I understand people want to follow military protocol, since it is a military social media platform.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
>1 y
Yea OK but that is military protocol..l But what about those of us who aren't in the military and are retired or veterans..???? Are there any rules for us????
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LTC Professor Of Military Science / Department Chair
LTC (Join to see)
>1 y
I believe if you're a veteran or retired veteran - then you've earned the right to be called whatever you prefer to be called. How's that Sgt Tom!! ;)
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
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Capt Retired
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Call me Don Capt, Sgt, or almost anything but late for a meal.
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Can We Be On A First Name Basis Here On RP?
SSgt Robert Clark
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I personally could care less to be called sergeant or staff sergeant. I go by Bob and prefer that, I have not put on the uniform in over 20 years...I'm not a SSgt any more. I do prefer to call active duty by their rank until told other wise.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
>1 y
You & I think the same on this ...you know what they say about great minds all think alike??
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Sgt Jose Insurriaga
Sgt Jose Insurriaga
>1 y
I have a great friend who was a Gunnery Sergeant on one of my several spots, to this day, I cannot call him Mike, although we are close friends, I still call him Gunny, he gives me that look, and says, invariable, OK Cpl, if that's how you want it, get me a PBR, and Pronto!!! We both laugh every time, he is 73 I am 64
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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I'm happy to be called Aaron, Tom. It's a Peer network.

The "tagging" program defaults to Rank, FN, LN, and many of us stick to the traditional courtesies just because.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
>1 y
Ok I agree ..I never insisted anyone call me Sergeant when I was on active duty and don't think I should start now on RP....just one of my many hang-ups
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Sgt Jay Jones
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I've been called Jay since 1974. However, the way RP is set up if you desire to respond to a post or "tag" someone you have to use their "Rank and Name.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
>1 y
Are you sure you have to use their Rank & name?? .
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Sgt Jay Jones
Sgt Jay Jones
>1 y
Sgt Tom Cunnally - When you want someone to get notification of a response you posted.
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SSG Carlos Madden
SSG Carlos Madden
>1 y
Correct. A persons profile is connected to their rank so when you tag someone, both rank and name appear.
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LCDR Sales & Proposals Manager Gas Turbine Products
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Edited >1 y ago
9919a874
Tom-I've not put on my uniform in at least five years; I've no pretensions of thinking I'm still "Commander Gillespie"...Josh, or "Dizzy" works just fine for me; particularly from veterans who have many more years of life experience :)

I think we default to rank because of the focus on active members, and preserving the customs and courtesies for their benefit.

Besides-I don't look much like that high-speed, killer of the waves I used to be anymore LOL!
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
>1 y
Ok thanx .
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COL Strategic Plans Chief
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A lot of people just use the tag: Sgt Tom Cunnally instead of just saying...Tom. Frankly, you can call me Shirley McFancypants if you want to...you're retired. I shall call you Tom; and sometimes Bill. I like the name Bill, and you look like a Bill. Don't know why. Most of the time I will stick with Tom. But, you're retired and I can call you whatever I want. You have that freedom as well. Best wishes, Love....Shirley.
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COL Strategic Plans Chief
COL (Join to see)
>1 y
I will however comment on my own thread...if you're still in the military, I am going to call you by your rank or "Sir," if you outrank me. This is NOT a separate place where we take our rank off. We never take our rank off until we retire. I talk to those in uniform as I would in person. This place is not somewhere where you can shed the burdens of the uniform and say whatever you want without adherence to norms and the requirements of service.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
>1 y
COL (Join to see) - That reminds me of the Leslie Neilson character in the movie Airplane that you probably heard a 1000000 times:
The Captain says "Surely you can’t be serious…"

& he says "I am serious and don’t call me Shirley."
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MCPO Roger Collins
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It is fine to have the former title somewhere in your identity shown, but my preference is to use the first name and many times in messages, that is what I use. If anyone wants more info, its easy to find. Anyone that wants to call me by Roger or Rog, have a ball. I do take exception to having the last name since in the Navy that is used to address anyone below the rank of E-6 and I passed that long ago. When someone uses it and is a current or former Navy person, its intended to be insulting. On occasion, in civilian life someone notices my former Rank (Rate) can calls me by my military title and starts a conversation. That is honor enough and I DD appreciate that.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
>1 y
Roget that
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SSgt Quality Assurance Evaluator
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What about trying to call your supervisor by their first name when out in public out of uniform? Anyone else find this nearly IMPOSSIBLE to do even though you know your supposed to?
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
>1 y
Not in Silicon Valley CA where I worked ..everyone is on a first name basis and dress codes are casual as well.. I called a few lady managers " Ma'am" & they told me not to call them that again.. The times they are a changing ...
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PO3 Steven Sherrill
PO3 Steven Sherrill
>1 y
Sgt Tom Cunnally - not all of the changes are for the better.
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
>1 y
Perhaps its the high tech industry. That is where I worked for half my working life and seldom did anyone use anything other than first names.
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