Posted on Dec 7, 2015
Capt Bob Abbott
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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: Rank Rank2dcac4a3 RallyPoint
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Responses: 55
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MAJ David Wallace
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Totally with you on this, Bob! My title now is veteran since 2014!
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MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
10 y
I would hesitate to use that title myself. Retired since 1972.
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SGT Christina Barron
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Very valid point. But I think we have customs and courtesies beat into us, so it's hard to let them go. The only officer I've never addressed as, "Sir," is my Dad.
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1stSgt Donald Smith
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I was a 1stSgt, 38 years ago, but now I'm a Vet.

When someone addresses me as 1stSgt, it's usually another Marine.

I'll say to them kiddingly, take your pack off Marine...........My name is Don.......smile and say thanks.
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LCDR Chaplain
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Here, nah. Chaps, Rev., Dr., LT, pastor, padre, father, Adam (my first name, don’t really like posting that for the world to see, thus this is the only place you’ll see it on RP). Semper gumby. Doesn’t matter to me, 8th grade students have called me worse.
In uniform on orders with other SMs, I’m just plain old Chaps. Though the navy being what it is, I usually get called LT the first time, and then Chaplain when they figure out that’s what I am. I’m not here to bust your butt over a title, I’ve got enough anyway.
But if you’re older than me, well, I’m from the South. You’re a sir or ma’am. Always.
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Capt Skip Sponheim
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I AM A MEMBER OF THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE. THE LEAGUE HAS NO RANK. THIS IS GOOD FOR THE ORGANIZTION AS IT STOPS A LOT OF "I AM BETTER THAN YOU" STUFF.BUT I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT I WISH, AT TIMES, THAT I COULD SWING A LITTLE WEIGHT. AS ORGANIZATIONS GO, THERE IS NONE FINER FOR BROTHERHOOD.
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MCPO Roger Collins
MCPO Roger Collins
>1 y
One thing about it is we see how much we have in common, E-2 through E-9, O-1 through O-6. I like it even though we are all equal in our comments.
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Cpl Clinton Britt
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I don't really think that anything is meant by it. For most of us it is respect. I have quite a few friends that are CSM and they are retired. In my opinion, they will always be a SgtMaj. I meet them half way. I address them by their rank and thier first name.

I do have a Col friend and his name is Dave. I call him Col Dave because calling him just Dave makes me feel wierd
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SGM Mikel Dawson
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Edited 10 y ago
I think it is what's instilled in us. Any time I am addressing someone I know was an officer, it's Sir, Ma'am or rank. It's just common respect.
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SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury
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While we should be respectful to EVERYONE on this post - this is not a military environment. I retired and hung up the uniform; as long as people are respectable to me they can call me Tom.

My real issue is how some folks are so snide and disrespectful. Had a fellow Chief make a snide remark on a post and I think that people need to think before they speak. Not saying my feelings were hurt - just really hate disrespect. He would not have dare said that to me in person and if he did I'd have fired back. We are all a part of the smallest fraction of our Nation's population and forever will be. I think we should regard each other as family or at least the family we never had. Just my $0.02...
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MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
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Edited 10 y ago
I am sorry Capt. but out of respect I will call you Capt. I don't know you personally so I feel out of place calling you Bob, unless you say so. I have a Maj (owner) and LTC who hunt on the same lease. Since we are all hunters, we go by first names. I had a 1st Lt. (while drinking at a bar) That his first name was "lieutenant". I said in that case, I am Sargent ---- and this is Airmen ---- and I think we should have another round. You earned the rank, so be proud but, you don't have to go around telling everybody your rank. This happened at the NCO club at Orlando AFB. The guy told this other guy--you can't talked to me that way-- i am an officer. The paratrooper cold cocked him and the manager threw him out/
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LtCol Robert Quinter
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Really have no preference. I consider this group to be exceptional individuals who, in one way or the other have served our nation. They earned the right to call me whatever they like. Would like to avoid some of the monikers my wife lays on me
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MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
10 y
Hey, what's wrong with Honey,Handsome, Sexy, etc. LOL
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LtCol Robert Quinter
LtCol Robert Quinter
10 y
Uhhhh, MAX? :) Back to the throttles Friend.
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Capt Richard I P.
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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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SPC David Glines
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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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PO1 Brian Austin
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Personally it doesn't bother me either way. PO1, Brian, BA, it's all good.
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MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
10 y
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
PO1 Brian Austin
10 y
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
MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
10 y
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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SGM David W. Carr  LOM, DMSM  MP SGT
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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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SPC David Glines
SPC David Glines
10 y
same
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Capt Retired
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Edited 10 y ago
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.
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SSG Audwin Scott
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3dc7e933
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SSG Audwin Scott
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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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SFC Bde Mobility Nco
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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.
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SFC Platoon Sergeant
SFC (Join to see)
10 y
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
MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
10 y
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 Platoon Sergeant
SFC (Join to see)
10 y
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.
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MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
10 y
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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SCPO David Lockwood
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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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TSgt Eric Nordstrom
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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
TSgt Eric Nordstrom
10 y
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
Capt Bob Abbott
10 y
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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TSgt Eric Nordstrom
TSgt Eric Nordstrom
10 y
Haters gonna hate.
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MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht
10 y
Capt Bob Abbott - Yes Capt, they are amoung us.
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