How should you address members of the Enlisted Promotion Board? By Rank (SFC) or Position held (1SG)?

2016-10-23T19:10:14-04:00

Response by SSG Michael LeGrand made Oct 23 at 2016 7:15 PM

2016-10-23T19:15:04-04:00

The simple answer to me would be to address them how they want to be addressed during a board but i understand the nature of the question. On my E6 board we had a master sgt presiding because the SGM was deployed. I had to address the MSG as SGM. Is that what he was? No. Was i trying to get my promotable status? Absolutely.....

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 23 at 2016 7:27 PM

2016-10-23T19:27:00-04:00

in the old days I reported directly to the president of the Board and referred to each member as SGT. or First SGT and the SGM...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2016 10:18 PM

2016-10-23T22:18:04-04:00

I simply addressed each member by the rank that they held

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2016 10:27 PM

2016-10-23T22:27:34-04:00

Let common sense align with regulation (as SFC Johnston referenced). This is a matter of not only regulation, but also appropriateness. For example, if the President of the Board is a MSG sitting in for a CSM then address as "Master Sergeant." However, if the MSG is slotted by duty assignment as a CSM but has not yet been pinned, address as "Sergeant Major."

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2016 12:35 AM

2016-10-24T00:35:52-04:00

The president of the board should introduce the members of the board and address them as the president does.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Oct 24 at 2016 7:46 AM

2016-10-24T07:46:10-04:00

If in doubt, take all instructions from the tower....the CSM (president of the board) will introduce all board members....don't overthink this, if you are in doubt - ask.

Response by SGT Gilbert Boynton made Oct 24 at 2016 12:49 PM

2016-10-24T12:49:29-04:00

1SG

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2016 5:23 PM

2016-10-24T17:23:15-04:00

You address a CSM and SGM as Sergeant Major. You address a 1SG as First Sergeant. You address everyone else (E5-E7), as Sergeant.

Response by 1SG Ronald Perry made Oct 24 at 2016 5:38 PM

2016-10-24T17:38:13-04:00

By the position held, that soldier is the first sergeant at that time.

Response by SFC Herenia Freeman made Oct 24 at 2016 11:05 PM

2016-10-24T23:05:36-04:00

Position

Response by SFC Dennis A. made Oct 25 at 2016 9:50 AM

2016-10-25T09:50:41-04:00

I always responded to them by the rank or title that they were introduced as.

Response by 1SG Brian Adams made Oct 25 at 2016 10:20 AM

2016-10-25T10:20:22-04:00

Address the senior NCO by the position they are in while you are at the board. At times a 1SG could be the president of the board acting on behalf of the CSM and or the CSM will introduce the members of the board. It doesn't hurt to address the SFC as 1SG or the 1SG as CSM. Pay attention to the president of the board and most often than not, NCOs that will be attending have a memo stating whom will be asking various subject matter and regulatory guidance questions...

Response by 1SG Larry Taggart made Oct 25 at 2016 2:09 PM

2016-10-25T14:09:29-04:00

I totally agree with CSM Uhlig if there is any doubt on how you should address a board member who is not a CSM or a 1SG than after the CSM address you and introduces the board members you can ask. But usually if you address the board member in the manner how the President of the board address them ie 1SG or Sergeant you usually won't go wrong but bottom line when in doubt ask.

Response by SSG Jeff Hane made Oct 26 at 2016 11:15 AM

2016-10-26T11:15:30-04:00

Every board, that I attended, the president of the board (the CSM, or his delegate) is addressed as Sergeant Major, & as they introduce the rest of the board, they will usually let you know how they will be addressed. Congratulations on getting your (P).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2016 10:00 PM

2016-10-26T22:00:07-04:00

However the person was introduced to you by the President of the board.

Response by SFC Don Ward made Oct 26 at 2016 10:27 PM

2016-10-26T22:27:15-04:00

Address them as the CSM, or president of the board, introduces them.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2016 11:04 PM

2016-10-26T23:04:03-04:00

To dispense with any confusion the president of the board should set the rules at the beginning of the board. Barring that I have addressed the board members by there rank.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2016 12:06 AM

2016-10-27T00:06:08-04:00

Address them exactly as the CSM introduces them. If the HHC 1SG is an E7 wearing SFC and the CSM introduces him as "His Holiness the Pope" That is how you address him.

Response by 1SG John Baize made Oct 28 at 2016 12:35 PM

2016-10-28T12:35:08-04:00

I assume that this question is because a member of a board was in a First Sergeant position but did not hold the rank. Having been in a similar position (I was in a CSM slot and held the rank of MSG) I support and believe the only correct answer to this question is "First Sergeant".

Response by 1SG Billye Jackson made Nov 1 at 2016 12:01 PM

2016-11-01T12:01:52-04:00

If E7 is in 1st Sgt Slot it should be 1st Sgt.

Response by 1SG Lynn Hoyt made Nov 3 at 2016 12:42 AM

2016-11-03T00:42:41-04:00

By position held

Response by SSG Ryan Williams made Nov 9 at 2016 1:48 PM

2016-11-09T13:48:57-05:00

You address the member by his/her rank unless they are in your chain of command then you refer to them by position held. (Example) If a Delta company 1SG is a SFC, and you are in Bravo company you may address the individual as Sergeant. However if you are in delta company you would refer to that person as 1SG.

Response by 1SG Richard Vanhoose made Nov 14 at 2016 12:20 AM

2016-11-14T00:20:21-05:00

By their rank

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 12:11 PM

2016-11-15T12:11:02-05:00

They should be addressed by which ever one is higher

Response by SGT John Hogg made Nov 29 at 2016 1:15 PM

2016-11-29T13:15:54-05:00

In today's Army, and in many units that don't have NCO density, it is very common to see a SFC take the position of 1SG, and expect you to address them as such, because of their assigned duty position that they hold. Which can be confusing at times, because they aren't wearing a lozenge or "diamond" in their rank.

And congratulations on passing the board!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2016 4:06 PM

2016-11-30T16:06:30-05:00

Always by potition held.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 8 at 2018 10:46 PM

2018-03-08T22:46:59-05:00

It should be by their current rank.

Response by SFC Don Ward made Oct 26 at 2020 9:17 PM

2020-10-26T21:17:45-04:00

Depends on how the President of the Board introduces them.

Response by 1SG James Austin made Oct 28 at 2020 5:22 AM

2020-10-28T05:22:44-04:00

By position... however, subject of position or rank, have you ever heard of anyone being promoted to a enlisted position, ie... Platoon Sergeant not Sergeant First Class, I was, I had to research it out.