Can We Be On A First Name Basis Here On RP?

Being on a first name basis is more of a courteousy thing than anything else. In other words, since you prefer that people should do it. But you have a lot of assholes that will call you what they want.

Sure Tom I'm Ron.
But i'm retired so have no rank.
But I would say that if you are communicating on this site with other active duty members you should always remember military customs and courtesies.

Sgt Tom Cunnally
Tom, just don't call me late for dinner! :)

I personally don't mind it at all, and rarely care one way or the other. The only time I even consider rank at all is when people with "SM" beside their names are doing things that are blatantly in violation of the UCMJ. I don't care when my enlisted flight engineers call me "James" while I'm flying, so I definitely don't care if people on the internet do the same. Likewise, I call O-4+ "sir/ma'am" until told otherwise, but almost always end up referring to them as their first name or callsign. It is what it is.

Tom, I encourage people to call me Mike or Michael, to me the rank doesnt mean anything as I no longer wear the uniform. So rank and shoes are left at the door please!!!

Steve is fine with me!

I have no authority, just an opinion, but you can call me pretty much whatever you like.... Ike, Isaac, Jensen, hey you... I'm not big on the whole titles thing. The way I see it, if you treat people with respect, you don't need a title to demand it in return.

I kind of wondered about this myself since I haven't been in the Army since '71. I think not disrespecting whoever you're talking to is really what counts.

Being on the bottom of the pole in terms of rank and age, you could call me anything you want(seriously had Sgt who called me and another guy dickhead, got to the point we knew which one of us he was talking to lol)... Except Specialist, I really don't like my rank title. Maybe they should make it something like Master Private lol. I try and be respectful of my elders and hey, y'all earned your ranks why not use'm. I shall now issue a blanket apology to the NCOs of the Navy... I don't have friggen clue what to call you ladies and gentlemen most of the time.

Tom,
I would prefer to be called Rick and like you, have not been called SGT Ash since 1979. I have several friends here on RP and always address them by their first name. It's not addressed in the little yellow instruction box on the Home Page. It says Be Polite and Be Brief. Respect is addressed by the RP Command Posts. Well heck, I'm always respectful, I see RP as a collection of The Band of Brothers (and Sisters) I have only been here 7 months but I was still shocked to see a very close civilian friend on here with a tag that says "Civilian Supporter" and she is already in the Top 10%. Change is constant, I suppose RP is no different. I don't know if I can ever be "Brief" though.... :-). Great Post!
Thanks,
Rick