Do you find the term "butter bar" offensive or demeaning?

CW3 (Join to see) -
Mr. Lacoste,
I have to admit, since technical warrants are required to be E-6 or higher (any rank for aviation), I would just assume you are technical and be smart enough to realize that calling you spot is, in that case, disrespectful, and I would not refer to a warrant officer in that way. Even most aviation warrants are coming from an NCO background. I always treated Warrant Officers with more respect on average by default.

That all being said, I feel that butter bar wasn't ever a term of endearment, rather, just as I said: a reminder to not be a douchebag who thinks he knows everything and that rank somehow super matters with that 2LT. The 2LT can be smart and go into learning mode, have the plat daddy educate him and garner the respect correctly, or he can go the other way, and learn how the E-4 Mafia walks the line between getting the job done, and getting it done correctly. I've seen some 2LT's hang because the jobs were done to regs, but not to the standard that is really needed, which is always a bit more. Perfect examples of where those 2LT's can embrace the noob title and come on top, or live up to the noob title and get some shitty OER bullets.....

One last thing as well: spot should always be a reference to those special summer time warriors we all know and love.....the cadets! Yes, those dominator's of the summer FTX....commanders of the zealously desired "pack salute" from nervous privates.....the only ones to attain legitimately serious orthopedic injuries (and P3's?, haha) from warp factor salutes when they have been saluted incorrectly at distance. lol

CPL (Join to see) it’s true as you stated, as well I saw the LTC above mention that it’s a term used in private conversation. We still have customs and courtesies to adhere to. The “term of endearment” I mentioned is more historically a right of passage if you will. It was actually(for me anyhow) to get those wobbly one, dot, spot comments as it’s like most other things in the military we do: tradition (if you will) to obtain something, in this case rank, it means something different than a slur, again at least to me and those I’ve encountered. I can see today, where some would offended but realistically it’s like a tab you earn. Wear it with pride. This life is too short to get tied up in whimsical arguments over bitter bar, spy, and wobbly one. We share things in the military most will never understand. That’s what makes those who serve a special breed. This to me is just another one of those things. I do understand and appreciate your view point however, Thank you for the input.

That’s what they were called, I was one for a bit after going in a PFC. everyone that made it to a Platoon with Men knew to listen to the Platoon Sgt. Then again sometimes it takes a LTC to spot a bunch of mop buckets on the roof of the building next to the barracks.

I have been out since 1991, it took me a little while what Butter Bar meant. If you CO's are triggered but Butter Bar maybe you should find another profession. When I served from 86 to 91 we were not PC. I for one glad I served when men where men and women where women.

1LT Kurt Mccarthy - fuzzy? That's a new one. Rainbow, yes

I don't see a problem with use of the term in casual conversations... it beats the heck out of being called buttercup or snowflake. That said when I was a First Sergeant I referred to all LTs as "Lieutenant" and used "sir or ma'am" after they've demonstrated their ability to listen and take direction from their senior leaders especially senior NCOs. When they acted like a know-it-all I'd allow them fail gracefully... sooner or later they would wise up (most of them)!

TSgt Gwen Walcott - In basic there isn't any rank on the ACU or OCP, so we call them fuzzies at Sand Hill.

They could have their cheek caressed.

I was in the reserves as enlisted for three years before I went to OCS. While I was in OCS my concentration was in making it out the other end. On the day of graduation I suddenly realized that the Navy would expect me to know all of that stuff they taught me in OCS (Hey I was much younger then) When I got to the fleet my chief told me that the second most dangerous thing in the world was an Ensign with a pencil. The most dangerous thing he said was an Ensign with a pencil with an eraser on it. It sort of put the world in perspective for me.

I held the rank of Corporal E-4 for a while. It was because I was in an E-6 Staff Sgt. slot. The senior NCOs had to figure out that a 2 stripe Corporal was an NCO, although a very junior one. It was very interesting and very instructive. I was usually put in charge of menial details like cleaning the latrines, picking up pine cones, etc. The SP4s didn't like that arrangement but had no choice. When it came to moving troops to and from class I had 2 SP5s in my detachment. They put me in charge of the formation. I was routinely called a "Double Gnat Wing". I took it as a recognition of my rank with pride. When I made SGT E-5 it was all over anyway.

As long as the 2LT is not addressed directly as "butter bar", just referenced to, fine. I hate to here people, even seniors, address newly commissioned officers as "LT" (eltee)........just as I hate to hear SGT addressed as "Sarge"....