Posted on Jan 8, 2014
Do you call at Ease when a SGM walks in the area when the Commander is also in the direct vicinity?
112K
85
62
5
5
0
As I was reporting for my staff duty shift, the outgoing brought up this question to the CSM and he wasn't 100% on the answer so he asked me to research it.
Posted in these groups: 
Customs and Courtesies
Customs and Courtesies
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 23
16
16
0
<p>Simple answer is no. Complicated answer - if the unit CSM is first entering the unit for the day or departing for the day it is expected for you call "At Ease" just as you call "Attention" for the unit Commander. Otherwise, the military courtesy goes to the highest ranking individual in the room/area. If a commissioned officer, even a 2LT, is in the room and a SGM enters, it is inappropriate to call "At Ease". Hope this helps.</p><p> </p>
(16)
(0)
LTC Paul Labrador
SSG Ottesen, I'm surprised they do even that in the SoF community. SoF, from what I've seen, tends to fall on the informal side when it comes to C&C.
(0)
(0)
SPC (Join to see)
As a lower enlisted Soldier I thought my military courtesy was up to par. Great information.
(0)
(0)
LCDR (Join to see)
Think of it this way - if the CO is in the room, and you call "At Ease" for the SGM, you are telling the Commander "at ease" for one of his subordinates.
(1)
(0)
9
9
0
When I was a junior enlisted Soldier I called "at ease" when any NCO walked in my area. As a junior NCO, I did the same for PSGs and higher. As a PSG, I did it for 1SGs and above. As a 1SG, when the SGM/CSM walks in my area I better hear someone say at ease. It is not about making the CSM happy, it is the standard <b style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">courtesy.</b> If I'm working late and the CSM walks in my office I still stand up.<br>
(9)
(0)
6
6
0
So thanks to SSG Burns I think I have my answer. <font size="1" face="Century"><font size="1" face="Century"><p align="LEFT"> </p><p align="LEFT">"When an NCO of superior rank enters the room, the first soldier to recognize the NCO calls the room to “At ease.”"</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>FM 7-21.13 para 4-16</p><p> </p><p>When I read that sentence I saw that there is nowhere that states unless there is an officer present. So I'm going to say call at ease.</p><p> </p></font></font>
(6)
(0)
CW3 (Join to see)
"When an NCO of superior rank enters the room, the first soldier to recognize the NCO calls the room to “At ease.”"
FM 7-21.13 para 4-16
If the first soldier to recognize the NCO is an officer, then the NCO is not of superior rank.
FM 7-21.13 para 4-16
If the first soldier to recognize the NCO is an officer, then the NCO is not of superior rank.
(1)
(0)
CW5 (Join to see)
Even if the officer is not the first to notice the NCO entering the room...
I think the regulation quoted means the new person entering the room will now have the superior rank to the people already in the room.
If SSG (Join to see) walks into a room with several soldiers and CW3 (Join to see) , who is now superior?
I think the regulation quoted means the new person entering the room will now have the superior rank to the people already in the room.
If SSG (Join to see) walks into a room with several soldiers and CW3 (Join to see) , who is now superior?
(1)
(0)
CW3 (Join to see)
According to the former USARC CSM, SSG Gordon would be. In reality, I would be the senior (I hate to use the word superior when discussing rank, but that's a discussion for another time and place).
(0)
(0)
MSG David Johnson
It seems each unit, or for that matter, each CO/SNCO team, has their own way of doing things.
These examples are from my own experiences, and as you will see, they are different from others.
My 1SG at one unit said that if he walked in and saw me there were 2 acceptable forms of address first thing in the morning. The first being "At Ease", this let him know the CO was not in yet and I was still awake.
If when he walked in, I stood up and greeted him with "Good morning 1SG", that let him know I was awake and that the CO was lurking somewhere about. We were under no circumstance to call At Ease for the 1SG if the CO was in.
However, If the, or A, CSM, walked in the building we were to call At Ease, Except, if the BN CO was in the building.
It could get a bit complicated at times and if you had a young E-2 or E-3 on the CQ desk during the day he might get confused, but for those times it w as to follow the CYA rule.
If in doubt, call it. It's better to get your ass chewed for being wrong in a good way, than to let a company Grade officer get caught picking his nose when the Brigade commander walked in his office.
These examples are from my own experiences, and as you will see, they are different from others.
My 1SG at one unit said that if he walked in and saw me there were 2 acceptable forms of address first thing in the morning. The first being "At Ease", this let him know the CO was not in yet and I was still awake.
If when he walked in, I stood up and greeted him with "Good morning 1SG", that let him know I was awake and that the CO was lurking somewhere about. We were under no circumstance to call At Ease for the 1SG if the CO was in.
However, If the, or A, CSM, walked in the building we were to call At Ease, Except, if the BN CO was in the building.
It could get a bit complicated at times and if you had a young E-2 or E-3 on the CQ desk during the day he might get confused, but for those times it w as to follow the CYA rule.
If in doubt, call it. It's better to get your ass chewed for being wrong in a good way, than to let a company Grade officer get caught picking his nose when the Brigade commander walked in his office.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
-
Ask questionGet expert advice and
tips for your questions. -
Post updatePost pictures, personal updates, plans, or anything you like!
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google 
