Posted on May 26, 2015
I am curious, how do Marines react when another branch calls them "Gunny"?
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US Marine Corps (USMC)
US Marine Corps (USMC)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 21
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It's generally "Top" you have to worry about more than Gunny.
And never call a Marine with rockers Sergeant, or any Marine "Sarge."
And never call a Marine with rockers Sergeant, or any Marine "Sarge."
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
Well, in my experience, if you are being told to report to the "Top" or the "First Shirt" your a** is grass and the "Gunny" already mowed it! :-)
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Sgt Richard Buckner
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Sgt Richard Buckner
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Cpl Jeff N. A great phone game was "MSgt Ramen called, needs you to call him back at X" and see who falls for it. "Devil, you're trying to get a hold of Top Ramen?!?"
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
As a greeting, of course, but I probably wouldn't call somebody that CSM Michael Lynch! ;-)
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Suspended Profile
probably the same way AF folks do when they get called Chief.....shrug it off and press on....kind of like saluting on a Navy base....when in doubt throw it up. Â
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I have always acted under the assumption that you address them as "Gunnery Sergeant" unless they say it is fine. I normally address them as GySgt, and then ask "may I call you Gunny?" Most haven't minded.
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SGT Richard H.
1LT Nick Kidwell with a First Sergeant, it's kind of like someone addressing you as "El-tee". It's a familiar name that you'd probably be totally fine with from someone you have a relationship with, in an informal setting, but probably not something you want to hear being called out by a random soldier without regard to setting.
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1LT Nick Kidwell
SGT Richard H. - Makes perfect sense to me. The one who corrected me was one I had just met. He was coming in, our old 1SG was going out.
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1LT Nick Kidwell
SSG Dr. Roy Coble - Why would you interpret it as a pissing contest? I'm not getting that vibe here.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad,
I don't know about gunny but parachute rigger school is taught by all branches of service. My instructor was Marine SSG with both gold wings and a scuba badge, he was also a certified bad ass, his arms were bigger than most peoples legs.
First day in class we new PVT's sound of with Yes SGT, he screams what the hell did you just call me, I say "SGT?" He says, "oh, you just did it again!" He then explained that he was a SSG and that is how we would address him. We then get instructed on how to do bends and thrusts.
I don't know about gunny but parachute rigger school is taught by all branches of service. My instructor was Marine SSG with both gold wings and a scuba badge, he was also a certified bad ass, his arms were bigger than most peoples legs.
First day in class we new PVT's sound of with Yes SGT, he screams what the hell did you just call me, I say "SGT?" He says, "oh, you just did it again!" He then explained that he was a SSG and that is how we would address him. We then get instructed on how to do bends and thrusts.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
SSG John Erny -- Sounds about right. One thing, since he was a Marine, he was a SSgt ... not a SSG. :-)
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Truth be told SrA Johnathan Kropke, I was called "Gunny" for most of my career.
In 1983, I was a Staff Sergeant with a year in grade when I was assigned as a Detachment Commander on the Marine Security Guard program. "Embassy Marines" as the name implies, are stationed at our embassies and consulates. State Department employees (as well as employees of other government agencies) at embassies consider the top Marine in the detachment to be "Gunny" -- I learned real quick that it was a losing battle to correct them.
Prior to being made a Detachment Commander myself, I served as a Marine Security Guard at another embassy --- our Detachment Commander (actually the title was NCOIC at that time) was a Master Sergeant. I remember that even he gave up telling people to stop calling him "Gunny" ...
In 1983, I was a Staff Sergeant with a year in grade when I was assigned as a Detachment Commander on the Marine Security Guard program. "Embassy Marines" as the name implies, are stationed at our embassies and consulates. State Department employees (as well as employees of other government agencies) at embassies consider the top Marine in the detachment to be "Gunny" -- I learned real quick that it was a losing battle to correct them.
Prior to being made a Detachment Commander myself, I served as a Marine Security Guard at another embassy --- our Detachment Commander (actually the title was NCOIC at that time) was a Master Sergeant. I remember that even he gave up telling people to stop calling him "Gunny" ...
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That is his/her rank, shortened respectfully. You are not calling him/her "big guy" or "sugar". Also, "Marine", "Marines", and "Gunny" are always capitalized.
I have never had a Gunny correct me. And trust me, one would know if one had been corrected. :)
I have never had a Gunny correct me. And trust me, one would know if one had been corrected. :)
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SGT Richard H.
I was only in the Corps for a short 3 years, but I can definitely imagine that calling any Gunny I ever came across "sugar" might not have gone well.
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CMSgt (Join to see)
Being Joint, I used to go up to my Gunny and say, "Ooo-rah, sugar booger" and then run like f*ck when I saw the kill-face forming. LMAO! (p.s., he is still one of my besties.)
:)
:)
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In the Artillery the Gun Bunnies call the the E7s "Smoke" and E6s either "Gunny" or "Chief". I was a FISTER Chief as an E6 (13F)
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"Gunny" is a term of respect, as is "Master Guns." Not for a formal situation - in front of the CO or visiting dignitaries it is "Gunnery Sergeant Smith."
At least in this Corpsman's experience.....
At least in this Corpsman's experience.....
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