Posted on Feb 13, 2014
SPC Operating Room Specialist
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I mean I often run across officers with senior NCOs often and when I salute the officer I just have a feeling that I'm being looked at as neglecting and ignoring the senior NCO. Is there any specific way greetings suppose to be rendered a certain way in that situation? because I really hate that feeling.
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Responses: 29
CSM Michael Poll
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Edited 11 y ago
This is the rule I give my Soldiers and I have lived by.  Salute and address the senior first but include the SR NCO at well.  ie "Good morning sir, CSM." you wont ever go wrong, but dont get silly if there are multiples.  Then it is for Officers, "Good morning genlemen, CSM"  or "Good morning Ladies, CSM"  remeber the plural for male officers is gentlemen, not sirs, and for female is ladies, not ma'ams.  Multiple CSM's is Sergeants Major. Not Sergeant Majors.
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Lt Col Instructor Navigator
Lt Col (Join to see)
10 y
Good evening ladies and gentlemen is acceptable. At officer training school, they went so far as making us say "good evening ladies, good evening gentlemen".
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GySgt William Hardy
GySgt William Hardy
10 y
A general crowd is one thing, but if one of the members have special status such as the CO or SGM then they deserve a direct greeting...."Good evening Major, Sergeant Major, (and then turn to the others) Ladies, Gentlemen." If indoors and informal, handshakes would be appropriate. Otherwise I salute the officers and greet the senior NCO(s) by rank/title and then the rest of the group.
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CSM Michael Poll
CSM Michael Poll
10 y
Gunny is correct "ladies and gentlemen" would be correct in that instance
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SGT Tim. Wilson
SGT Tim. Wilson
5 y
And don't accidentally address a group of female officer's as Madam's! Saw a private do this on a Marine base once, was not a pretty sure!
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CSM Aircraft Maintenance Senior Sergeant
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"Greeting of the Day" Sir, Sergeant Major.


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LTC Yinon Weiss
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A verbal greeting in addition to a salute is a good solution. For example, say there is a Captain and a Sergeant Major together. You can salute the officer and simultaneously say "Good morning/afternoon Sir, Good morning/afternoon Sergeant Major." 
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SSG Mike Angelo
SSG Mike Angelo
11 y
I like that solution. But now the SM may have you lined up for his own special detail. If your not sure...try walking in a group, then the SM will have more volunteers for his special gig and you wont feel alone on detail. good luck out there
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