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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Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 41
MAJ Matthew Arnold
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Call me Matt. Call me whatever makes you comfortable. Heck, I was in a National Guard unit the last 11 years of service where, excepting commanders, all the old guys were on a first name basis.
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MSgt Team Chief
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Edited >1 y ago
I don't get caught up in it... It's a military forum for military people. Facebook is a better alternative if that's the issue.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
>1 y
Military Forum for military people?? What about all the non military who are members of RP.??? Facebook also has members who are anti-military & are not interested in military discussions & will say why every chance they get ... I think we call them progressives or socialists
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MSgt Team Chief
MSgt (Join to see)
>1 y
Sgt Tom Cunnally - Non-Military on RP? What's there to gain from it if this isn't your thing? When it comes to Facebook, it's called joining military groups or groups for things you are interested in. It seems like a waste to get caught up in such a non-issue -- or make an issue out of something so trivial.
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MSgt Team Chief
MSgt (Join to see)
>1 y
I get your point though, I just don't know if I would feel the same years after I separated from Active Duty.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
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MSgt (Join to see) - It takes time and depends on how long you were in the military. It's an individual thing..
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Capt Mark Strobl
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Edited >1 y ago
Hitting the "response" button will override any hints of familiarity with an automatic alert to our profile (rank/name). Issuing advance permission (like you need it) to address me in any way you (all) are most comfortable. Heck, I have a DD-214... left my former rank at the front gate of Camp Pendleton. --Mark S.

P.S. Someone please "down vote" me should I EVER use the term "Sarge."
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SSG Avenger Crew Member
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Tom, i've had my birth name much longer than my Army rank, so Rob is just fine with me!
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LCDR Deputy Department Head
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This is actually a very interesting thought. I have thought the same for some time as well. Usually I am tagging someone when I'm talking about them, but occasionally I mention a name separately (or for a second time in the same post). In that case I still usually use rank to be safe. I know it's more of an issue for active duty to active duty interactions, but it's a forum after all, I wouldn't be bothered either way.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
>1 y
Excellent comments..IMHO
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SSG Carlos Madden
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Hi Sgt. I think its just professional curtesy here since it's a military community. Especially since we have so many active service members. Entirely personal preference.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
Sgt Tom Cunnally
>1 y
You make a dam good point this is a military community and those of us who are civilians are their guests... But I can't see calling someone by their rank who is not active or retired unless they still want to pull rank...and we always have a few rank conscious here and they need to get a life..
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PO2 Kevin LaCroix
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Edited >1 y ago
As I am now a civilian, I am no longer Petty Officer LaCroix. First names just feel weird in a military based setting, even after 28 years. But Kevin is who I am.
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PO1 Tony Holland
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Edited >1 y ago
Immediately thought of a comedian on Johnny Carson, I think, --- Ray Jay Johnson or something to that effect.

Agree with your point --- probably most would be more formal initially.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
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I almost forgot about this discussion that I started 8 months ago. I'm still not too comfortable calling any officers and/or Staff NCOs by their first names unless they say it is OK. But I prefer Tom instead of Sergeant and I never insisted on being called Sergeant when I was active or reserve. Although some young kids in the Reserves did refer to me as "The Old Sarge" because I was six or seven years older than they were ..God I hated that nick..
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SSgt Maintenance Chief
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I know I'd prefer being called by my rank by an of the active duty guys and gals.
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