Do Army guys still say "Buck Sergeant"?

2018-06-06T21:49:32-04:00

At one of my instructor leadership classes for Navy Cadets there was a young veteran volunteer who claimed he was a "Buck Sargent". I didn't pay it much mind but wanted to check in with you Army guys and get a sitrep on the term. Honestly I have never heard it used before except maybe in the movie Patton. Thanks in advance.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2018 10:25 PM

2018-06-06T22:25:17-04:00

It's a term for a brand new Sergeant. Not really a bad term, just means motivation than brains.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2018 12:05 AM

2018-06-07T00:05:25-04:00

I never heard of this term until I began reading RP. I've never heard anyone say it either.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2018 1:07 AM

2018-06-07T01:07:25-04:00

Do you Navy guys still say, "In the Navy?"

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2018 1:46 AM

2018-06-07T01:46:09-04:00

I have not heard it since I was a young buck (sergeant) myself

Response by SGT Ej P. made Jun 7 at 2018 5:34 AM

2018-06-07T05:34:09-04:00

Very much all the time

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2018 8:41 AM

2018-06-07T08:41:01-04:00

Yep, kind of a term of endearment for a newly promoted E-5. Not a disrespectful term at all. A "Buck Sergeant" is new to the NCO Corps and we immediately associate with an E-5 when used.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2018 9:48 AM

2018-06-07T09:48:42-04:00

Yes they still use the term buck sergeant.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2018 12:20 PM

2018-06-07T12:20:47-04:00

PO2 Dax Hall 'Buck Sergeant' is an old Air Force rank, much along the lines of Army Corporal. Was an E-4 (Senior Airman), but had a little greater leadership responsibility. It had the same rank insignia (three stripes), but there was no star in the middle, just a 'hollow' circle. My dad got out of the Air Force right before Vietnam fully kicked off as a Buck Sergeant.

Response by PO2 Dax Hall made Jun 7 at 2018 1:02 PM

2018-06-07T13:02:35-04:00

Thanks to all my Army Brothers and Sisters for all the feed back and setting me straight on this topic. Being a Navy/Marine guy we have a lot of terms used for different ranks as well. Captain (Skipper) Marine Warrant Officer (Gunner) Marine MSGT (TOP) and so on. Guess we are all in the same ship after all.

Response by CW5 Ranger Dave made Jun 7 at 2018 1:03 PM

2018-06-07T13:03:44-04:00

Couple hundred years ago, I was a Buck Sergeant and damn proud of it!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2018 1:15 PM

2018-06-07T13:15:13-04:00

Yes. I used to get called that when I used to be a SGT. But for me, it was usually a senior NCO that called me that. They usually said it out of love, not in an insulting way. I never took it personal because I usually had a working relationship with them.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jun 7 at 2018 1:41 PM

2018-06-07T13:41:57-04:00

I know I did up to the day I retired in 2016.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jun 7 at 2018 1:48 PM

2018-06-07T13:48:16-04:00

Staff sergeants like to use the term every now and then. It is informal, but I never addressed myself as a buck sergeant.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2018 11:26 PM

2018-06-26T23:26:03-04:00

Sure do.

Response by SPC Kerry Whitaker made Dec 5 at 2018 11:01 PM

2018-12-05T23:01:43-05:00

It was said that E5 were bucking for that rocker or E6

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2018 7:17 AM

2018-12-10T07:17:40-05:00

Yes, I do.

Response by SGT Brad Baier made Feb 26 at 2019 2:39 PM

2019-02-26T14:39:04-05:00

My dad was a Marine and he called a 3 striper a Buck Sargent.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Apr 25 at 2019 3:51 PM

2019-04-25T15:51:43-04:00

I used it for 30 years and still do. Hell I were one.

Response by SGT Steve McFarland made May 13 at 2019 8:17 PM

2019-05-13T20:17:47-04:00

They still did when I was in, but I got out in 1977, so I don't know what has changed since then.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Jul 28 at 2019 1:41 AM

2019-07-28T01:41:13-04:00

Back when I was an NCO, my nickname once I was promoted to Sergeant was "Buck." It was a great accolade for a young me once upon a time.

Response by SGT David Wilson made Aug 1 at 2019 10:03 PM

2019-08-01T22:03:58-04:00

Yes was used. Usually a brand new promotion or within first year of promotion. Gaining command and leadership experience. Term of endearment, or slide for mistakes. Common same use, “rookie”.

Response by SGT Robert Andrews made Aug 4 at 2019 10:48 PM

2019-08-04T22:48:11-04:00

Buck Sgt refers to E5 and depending on Age of person your are talking to. Probably yes

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2019 1:19 AM

2019-12-02T01:19:52-05:00

I do

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Apr 12 at 2020 4:32 PM

2020-04-12T16:32:38-04:00

I have only heard my Father say it and he is Vietnam era.