Does any FM or other manual specifically state Chain of Command call signs?

SGT Derrick Tims — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 18:09:32 -0400

It seems like every unit I have been in refers to the Commander and 1SG or CSM as 6 and 7. My question is, does any regualtion or manual mandate this or is it just a accepted tradition?

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2014 11:11 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 23:11:35 -0500

I think what you are looking for is the SOI.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2015 1:16 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 13:16:37 -0400

I know this is old, but this is a recurring question in various quarters.

This is just an accepted (and a poor, in my opinion) tradition.

What we usually refer to as Callsigns are really Callwords. A proper callsign is a letter-number-letter combination then followed by the usual suffixes and expanders.

Callsigns, callwords, suffixes, and expanders, are all subject to change and there are no special rules for what they have to be. Common sense applies--don't violate other rules to do it like using a person's name as a callword and don't confuse people by trying to use an established proword or phonetic alphabet word as a callword (Wilco 6 this is Lima 9....).

There was a time when by doctrine callsigns, frequencies, suffixes and expanders all changed every 24 hours. Our technological level has made us soft in this regard and I think that's a mistake.

Response by SFC Ken Heise made Mar 22 at 2016 10:47 AM

SFC Ken Heise — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 10:47:05 -0400

The answer you seek lies in FM 3-36 The Radio Operators Handbook.