Posted on Dec 7, 2015
Does anyone else get uncomfortable when addressed by rank here on RP?
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I've been referred to a lot as "sir" and "Captain" here on Rally Point, but I've been out now for eight years. I'm just Bob. It makes me uncomfortable, not because I'm ashamed of my rank when I was in, but rather because as a veteran I feel like I have the same rank as all other vets, regardless of TIS or rank. What are your thoughts on this?
Posted in these groups: 
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Rank RallyPoint
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 55
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Capt Bob Abbott...I hear you bob. For Active Duty folks it is as natural as can be. For some vets it is nice to reconnect, for others it is more jarring. In the end I think the tagging makes sense for uniformity.
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It don't bother me my RET. DOD ID has it on it and I earned it and the people from USAA call me by it but to each his or hers own.
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MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
Weird, does the BA stand for Bachelor of Arts or bad ass. Nobody has ever addressed me as MBA. (not mean bad a--)
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PO1 Brian Austin
They're just my initials, no cool story behind it or anything. Though at some duty stations so many knew me as just "BA", that when i'd use my rank or full name a lot of people would be like "who?".
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MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
Cool, my son Thomas Kinderknecht is known through out the US as TK. he is a truck driver for Yellow Truck Lines so, he gets around. I find in amusing that the Army goes by specific rank while the Air Force it is either Airman or Sargent. Of course unless you are an E-9 in which case we refer to them as Chief. That was many moons ago, so hard telling what they call each other now.
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I think it depends and the situation. I like when I drive on Fort Hood and the guards address me by my Rank. I still have soldiers that remember me standing in front of my Battalion, during Brigade functions or boards. I will also use it on occasion with other Sergeant Majors that might have worked for me in the past.
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You can call me Captain, Sgt, hey you, Don, etc. Anything but late for chow.
Seriously, having someone address me by rank (either enlisted or commissioned) is an honor.
Seriously, having someone address me by rank (either enlisted or commissioned) is an honor.
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I don't get uncomfortable but I understand what you saying, I've been retired almost 10yrs, you can call me Audwin, Red, Scotty, whatever you feel comfortable with but the use of rank is no longer necessary, know longer who I am.
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I feel you. I don't like when people
Who I don't work for or with call me by my rank. I like just being called T.
Who I don't work for or with call me by my rank. I like just being called T.
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SFC (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see), I totally agree. Using rank on a social networking site with a bunch of strangers is kind of weird.
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MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
SFC (Join to see) - SFC We are not strangers. We are all military and as such can address each other as rank as long as we know what it is,
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SFC (Join to see)
MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
No offense, but we are strangers. If wouldn't trust to give you keys to my home, then we're strangers. Both being military doesn't give us any familiarity, just a common profession.
No offense, but we are strangers. If wouldn't trust to give you keys to my home, then we're strangers. Both being military doesn't give us any familiarity, just a common profession.
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MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
SFC (Join to see) - It can go either way. At some Congress investigation the General was addressing The Senator as "Madam". She corrected him and said my title is "Senator" General. The General corrected her by saying it is Major General Madam. And the world goes round and round. My Military nick-name is unprintable. If you were in civilian attire, I would not approach you. But in Military attire I might want to start a conversation. By the way, I don't give the keys to my house to anybody.
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Why? I will never feel uncomfortable in here. I will continue to give the common courtesies toward rank but won't feel uncomfortable.
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When I was a child I was a cub scout, rank "Wolf". I was enlisted in the US Air Force and ranked a "TSgt". As a retiree and business owner, I am now an officer, rank "CEO". I tend to see the Air Force the same as I do the Cub Scouts now. Someday when I am elderly, I'll most likely see "CEO" as another transient phase.
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TSgt Eric Nordstrom
Most likely, if someone is calling you Capt or Sir, it is because you proved yourself worthy of the Title at some point. Enjoy it, you earned it.
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Capt Bob Abbott
TSgt Eric Nordstrom - Well, I seem to have found a couple of the "bad apples" on RP, and they use the phrase "sir" derisively. Which I find interesting. One would think there's a lot more to troll me on than my rank. lol
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