Posted on Nov 13, 2015
How many of us had trouble distinguishing the rank of approaching commissioned, non-commissioned or warrant officers on field uniforms??
115K
2.15K
374
149
149
0
Fatigue, battledress and other work and combat uniforms had subdued rank most of the time. Some ranks are very distinctive such as Captain [double bars], Colonel [eagle], and General Officer [black star or multiple]. However 1st LT and Warrant Officer looked very close and sometimes Majors and Lieutenant Colonels looked very close especially in the rain, snow, etc.
When I was a private in the 1970s I couldn't tell sometimes if a LT or a Chief Warrant Officer was approaching me. I would salute usually and wasn't sure at that time if I was supposed to salute Warrant Officers.
Did you have trouble recognizing officer rank?
When I was a private in the 1970s I couldn't tell sometimes if a LT or a Chief Warrant Officer was approaching me. I would salute usually and wasn't sure at that time if I was supposed to salute Warrant Officers.
Did you have trouble recognizing officer rank?
Rank
Troops
Edited 8 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 125
6
6
0
Ma'am,
Yes, I did have a little bit of issues at the very beginning of my military career. One that always stood out was the LTCs or even CSMs sewed on ranks that were really thick for some reason which made it a little difficult to distinguish from the distance. Then I render the proper respect at the last second...hahahaha!
Yes, I did have a little bit of issues at the very beginning of my military career. One that always stood out was the LTCs or even CSMs sewed on ranks that were really thick for some reason which made it a little difficult to distinguish from the distance. Then I render the proper respect at the last second...hahahaha!
(6)
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
Ha, ha SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez
1. As a U.S. Army infantryman [after being an enlisted Combat Engineer] I had to chuckle at being called ma'am. In my infantry units there were no women at battalion level or below. That seems to have changed in this century.
2. Of course since you were a 25v-combat-documentation-production-specialist I expect you had many women in your units.
3. Yes, I expect other service members had trouble to discern the ranks of those with "sewed on ranks that were really thick."
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
1. As a U.S. Army infantryman [after being an enlisted Combat Engineer] I had to chuckle at being called ma'am. In my infantry units there were no women at battalion level or below. That seems to have changed in this century.
2. Of course since you were a 25v-combat-documentation-production-specialist I expect you had many women in your units.
3. Yes, I expect other service members had trouble to discern the ranks of those with "sewed on ranks that were really thick."
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
(10)
(0)
6
6
0
Once as a lowly plane captain (E-3), we were sent to det at El Centro. El Centro had a CB detachment, and some ensign was walking around in his green UDT's. Now, the only time i was ever really in uniform at my home post was on the flight line, and we never saluted officers during flight ops (with the exception of the last part of the launch sequence). So as this ensign walked by me and my shipmate passed him, not even looking at him really, and he turns and says, "Don't you salute officers in your Navy." to which i responded, calmly, as I walked away, "No."
(6)
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding SPC Chris Ison and sharing the incident where an ensign asked "Don't you salute officers in your Navy" to you as an Army PFC plane captain on the flight line. I would be curious how the ensign responded after you replied "No."
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
(5)
(0)
SPC Chris Ison
I started out in the Navy. I did four years I was promoted to AT3, and then busted down to E-3, i joined the Army after that (2 years AD as a 35R), and then transferred to the Army National Guard (11B).
(4)
(0)
SPC Chris Ison
I am not sure how he responded, I did not really give him any thought, just kept on walking. It wasn't meant to be flip, it was a true statement, we did not salute officers on the flight line.
(4)
(0)
6
6
0
From a distance, the SPC rank and the LTC rank look similar (both are black blobs in the center of your chest). But if I cant tell the difference, I generally just pretend I never saw them. Hahahahaha
(6)
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding SPC (Join to see) with candor that when can't tell you "generally just pretend [you} never saw them."
Many of us concur with your assessment that "From a distance, the SPC rank and the LTC rank look similar (both are black blobs in the center of your chest)."
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Gabriel F.
Many of us concur with your assessment that "From a distance, the SPC rank and the LTC rank look similar (both are black blobs in the center of your chest)."
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Gabriel F.
(7)
(0)
6
6
0
Having never been 'in', I was Never under pressure ! I always addressed LTC's as Colonel & once one explained that he was an LTC. I explained that I knew his rank but was also aware of the courtesy of addressing them as Colonels!
(6)
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
Thanks for responding (Join to see) I hope you are having a good Memorial Day Eve.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Gabriel F.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Gabriel F.
(5)
(0)
(Join to see)
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen - I have heard that LTC were called lite Colonels. But I have never verified that !
(1)
(0)
6
6
0
LTC Stephen F. whenever I was in doubt I saluted until I learned to recognize the insignia from a distance. When I ran into a problem I would be scrambling for my watch or just salute and walk faster.
(6)
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding, my friend PO3 Phyllis Maynard that when in doubt you learned to salute until you could recognize the insignia from a distance [I imagine that was challenging in early morning and late evening or other periods of limited visibility.]
I hope the officers extended grace in limited visibility.
I am curious about why you would be would be scrambling for your watch. Was that so you would be looking away when the individual with unknown rank passed by?
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Gabriel F.
I hope the officers extended grace in limited visibility.
I am curious about why you would be would be scrambling for your watch. Was that so you would be looking away when the individual with unknown rank passed by?
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Gabriel F.
(5)
(0)
PO3 Phyllis Maynard
Yes, LTC Stephen F. busy hands and busy eyes are not guilty of not saluting :0)
Flashback, on some of those early morning they would look away. Because at certain hours it was revolving door salutes :0)
Flashback, on some of those early morning they would look away. Because at certain hours it was revolving door salutes :0)
(4)
(0)
6
6
0
My Drill Instructors banged it into my head, " When in doubt; whip it out." So if ever I did have a doubt I Saluted.
(6)
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding PVT Rich Burns that your BCT Drill Instructors drilled into your mind When in doubt, render a salute. Was anybody offended because you saluted them?
Obviously saluting in "the field" is not approved. :-)
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CW5 (Join to see) SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Joshua Caldwell SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
Obviously saluting in "the field" is not approved. :-)
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CW5 (Join to see) SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Joshua Caldwell SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
(2)
(0)
PVT Rich Burns
Not that I recall, My time in service was from 90-93. The only time I can recall I offended anyone with Sir/Mame was also my Drill Instructor, that mistake cost some push ups at FLW.
The only other time was also at FLW nearly 20 years later when I realized that rank was moved from the collar to mid-chest.
The only other time was also at FLW nearly 20 years later when I realized that rank was moved from the collar to mid-chest.
(2)
(0)
6
6
0
When in doubt SALUTE, a little embarrassment is better than getting your back side ripped apart
(6)
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding SSG Randall Ford a common sense perspective. :-)
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Gabriel F. Cpl Scott McCarroll
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Gabriel F. Cpl Scott McCarroll
(4)
(0)
6
6
0
I was blessed with very good vision when I was young 20/14 I could read three lines below 20/20
(6)
(0)
6
6
0
USAF Army and Marine not a problem. Navy that buzzard they have would get me.
(6)
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
Thanks for responding MSgt Thomas Welch. The U.S. Navy does seem to have the most unique rank insignia.
Ah yes, the US Navy "buzzard:-)
What do you think? COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright
Ah yes, the US Navy "buzzard:-)
What do you think? COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright
(3)
(0)
6
6
0
Chiefs don’t rate salutes. We work for a living. I know if you’re an Army or AF NCO and can address you by your rank (although I sometimes get confused by the “new”
AF chevrons). So it should be easy for those in other branches to do the same.
AF chevrons). So it should be easy for those in other branches to do the same.
(6)
(0)
LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding SCPO Scott Welch. Ranks displayed on members of others military services can be confusing when not familiar with them. Those who routinely work with other services have less problems from my experience.
FYI LTC Bill Koski Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown Maj Marty Hogan MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish AN Christopher Crayne SPC Tom DeSmet SGT Charles H. Hawes SGT (Join to see) SSG David Andrews
FYI LTC Bill Koski Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown Maj Marty Hogan MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish AN Christopher Crayne SPC Tom DeSmet SGT Charles H. Hawes SGT (Join to see) SSG David Andrews
(1)
(0)
CMC Robert Young
Hooyah Senior!! I work for a living......and my parents were married before my birth :-)
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
-
Ask questionGet expert advice and
tips for your questions. -
Post updatePost pictures, personal updates, plans, or anything you like!
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google