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..
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SP5 Mark Kuzinski
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Just call me Kaz!
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CW3 Network Architect
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I'm in the Army Reserve, but used to be active duty. While on active duty, I was called SSG (or SGT when I was) Walker by subordinates and seniors, but there was always an custom that those of the same rank were entitled to call each other by first name

I also juggle multiple roles here. On the civilian side of the house, I work for Booz Allen Hamilton, and everyone's on a first name basis. My job manager is Justin, my career manager is Troy, my government lead is Brad, my first line is Victoria. I wouldn't allow any of them to call me Chief...especially when I'm on the job.

When I'm at Battle Assembly, those subordinate to me call me Chief, and with one exception, those senior to me do as well. I don't really interact with them off duty, so it doesn't make much difference.

That exception? My commander. He refers to all warrants in the unit other than our senior warrant (a CW3(P) who's drank the Kool-Aid and lost what it means to be an Army Warrant) by last name only, as if we were buck privates.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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Some old habits just die hard with me.
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SSG Warren Swan
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I don't mind either way honestly. All of us have earned the rank so if he/she wants to carry it on, I don't care. If the servicemember is still on active service, I'd still call them by their rank and last name until told otherwise.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
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Swanie you need a new profile photo.. that one you have now is too scary..get one in dress blue uniform with your ribbons .
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
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Sgt Tom Cunnally - Good Job Swanie now your Profile pic looks like a Green Bay Packers Offensive Tackle instead of an offensive Rap Singer who did too much rapping ..
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
>1 y
That was the reason I stated what I did. We can use first names freely and the system introductory salutation reflect the retired or current formal title. Agree with Tom on the Pic, the old one made me think twice before disagreeing with you.
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PO3 Steven Sherrill
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Sgt Tom Cunnally the first thing is that when you want to tag someone on RP, it automatically fills in their full name with title. Otherwise in a professional environment, during a first meeting it is always MR, or SIR. For subsequent meetings it depends on the culture of the office. For social gatherings, everyone gets addressed by their first name. If they get their panties in a bunch because of it, tough shit.
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PO3 Electrician's Mate
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Whatever, you can call me dude here too. That don't mean I won't hold it personal at all. :) Just be respectful.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
>1 y
Ok & Hi Hy...
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PO3 Electrician's Mate
PO3 (Join to see)
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Sgt Tom Cunnally - Whatz up Sgt?
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
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PO3 (Join to see) - Just stirring the pot again re: Military Protocol..
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Sgt Justin Sloan
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Haha, yes. And for peer networking, the rank think kinda ruins that
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
>1 y
Yea but you run the risk of offending those who want to be addressed by their rank..even though some of us hung up our greens before they were born..
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Sgt Justin Sloan
Sgt Justin Sloan
>1 y
Have you interacted with people like that? I have not (and personally probably wouldn't want to)
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
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Sgt Justin Sloan - Yea but best to leave it at that
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Sgt Ammunition Technician
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I'll be honest, being on active duty on a page with other active duty members i would feel a little uncomfortable adressing a LtCol as "Tom" or what have you. That being said if you arent serving any longer and everyone else adresses you by first name i see no problem with it
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
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I'm uncomfortable addressing retired officers by their first names ...
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
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To all who responded to this discussion,

We have some excellent comments by active, retired, and veterans. It seems being addressed by our first name is a case by case basis. Also we should address those who wear the uniform by their rank. And Officers should be also addressed as "Sir" or Ma'am".
For those of us who hung up our uniforms, addressing each other by our first name seems to be OK with most.

Thank You,
Tom Cunnally
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Capt Retired
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Call me Sgt, Capt, Cap, sir, just don't call late for dinner.
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Capt Retired
Capt (Join to see)
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I was on active duty in 1961.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
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Capt (Join to see) - I was discharged 12/27/1961 & on 01/02/1962 45 members of my Company landed at Pleiku Vietnam .. I decided to go to work on the Apollo Program in Downey CA instead of staying in the Marines, mainly because of the pay differential. But it bothered me for a lot of years although the guys who went to Vietnam that I knew have no hard feeling and want me to join them at reunions. But I don't think I should go since I was not in Vietnam and we lost some who I knew very well.
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Capt Retired
Capt (Join to see)
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Sgt Tom Cunnally - No, you did not pull a phony excuse to avoid it. You did your time and your duty. I was in 1960 to 1975 and did not go. If I had volunteered I would have had a five year wait and still would not have gone.

Actually there were only two in my job class that I know went and one of them changed job class to go.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
>1 y
Capt (Join to see) - Here's a short history of my unit if you are interested in the Vietnam Era (1962 - 1975)....one of the COs (CPT Al Gray) later became the Commandant of Marines .


Beginning in January, 1962, the first detachment of Marines from 1stCompRadCo, known as Sub-Unit #1, deployed to Pleiku, RVN, for a period of 4 months, thus becoming the first Marine boots on the ground in South Vietnam. This detachment was attached to the US Army 3rd RRU, Davis Station, Saigon. Sub-Unit #1 was replaced every four months by elements of the 1st Composite Radio Company. During the period of time of the 3rd deployment, 3rd RRU sent two ASA soldiers to Pleiku to ensure that the Marines were properly conducting intercept operations regarding NVA and Viet Cong targets. One of those soldiers was Spc. Robert Destatte, whom we are in contact with today. The 4th relief element made the move from Pleiku to Phu Bai, SVN. At some point later during the war, 1st Radio Battalion made the move from Hawaii to Vietnam as a unit.
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