I work in a Joint Environment. What are everyone's thoughts on Service Members addressing each other on a first name basis?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 11:34:19 -0400

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 6 at 2016 11:43 AM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 11:43:13 -0400

I never had a problem with addressing my peers by their first name. Seniors and subordinates on the other hand, no.
What I did have a problem with was a senior who would reprimand me for calling a peer by their first name, yet the senior would do the same thing with their peers.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jun 6 at 2016 11:47 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 11:47:49 -0400

I view use of first name as I do profanity,, when I use either I want it to be received as different, to serve as an attention getter. Thus I do not overuse the first name address commonly..(profanity Im a little more liberal with..lol)

Response by SSG Kevin Kronemeyer made Jun 6 at 2016 11:51 AM

SSG Kevin Kronemeyer — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 11:51:11 -0400

Keep it professional, at least around the work environment, and especially if you are in a leaders role. There may be a time where you have to make difficult decisions, good or bad, and using first names sends a message that "we're all friends here" and it makes the decision making process much more difficult. If you let one rule be bent, then you are more likely to let other rules go too. Set the expectations and standards from the beginning.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2016 11:56 AM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 11:56:53 -0400

I never had a problem with it since my first was Gunny or 1st Sgt.

Response by Sgt Christopher Wenzel made Jun 6 at 2016 11:57 AM

Sgt Christopher Wenzel — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 11:57:11 -0400

At work, we ain't boys. I don't let my Marines call me Chris, I don't like my civilian co-workers call me Chris, and I tell me wife not to even call me Chris. That's just how I'm programmed now.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jun 6 at 2016 11:59 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 11:59:40 -0400

When I was at a joint assignment everyone used rank & last name in the working environment period. In social situations people of same rank would use first names, but not always. Superiors and subordinates were always rank and last name at social situations.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 6 at 2016 12:29 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 12:29:59 -0400

At my second duty station, I worked around a lot of Government Civilians and Government Contractors.

The "norm" was to refer to them by first name, even if they were retired military or reservists. That said, if one of them called me Aaron, I wouldn't correct them. There was a level of "informality" because of the Civilian/Military divide.

I've seen the same thing for Officers and Enlisted. Many times you will hear Officers (Seniors to juniors and among Peers) refer to each other by first name. It's not uncommon. I've been called by my first name by Officers in "private" (never in front of the troops) and treated it as a cultural difference.

I looked at it much the same was as calling a peer or junior by their callsign in private. It's a team building level of familiarity which does NOT interfere with good order and discipline.

Response by TSgt David Holman made Jun 6 at 2016 12:39 PM

TSgt David Holman — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 12:39:48 -0400

I might be a little old school in this, but I don't agree with subordinates calling supervisors by their first name. I am not a big fan of senior members calling junior members by their first name either (it gives a wrong perception). I know there are exceptions to every rule, but they should be few and far between.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 6 at 2016 1:20 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 13:20:29 -0400

Situational dependent. With peers and subordinate officers, away from Soldiers, I will use first names some of the time. Never with my seniors (even the ones who are no longer on active duty). Only time I ever called NCO's by first name is if they and I were part of the command team (OIC/NCOIC) and always behind closed doors.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2016 2:11 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 14:11:10 -0400

SSG-My advisory team was all E-& and above. Living and working together during our training at Ft. Riley, our team leader (O-5) held a meeting and we did the "unthinkable"-we "voted" as to whether or not we would use rank "in country" or something less formal. We all decided that "first names" was too far off the bubble, but "call signs" were in keeping with the mission, if not our individual communities. So, for twelve months, it was "Budweiser", "Dizzy", "Swede", etc...Skipper remained "Boss". It worked well because we all had to cross train to do each others' jobs, and it was common place to have an E-7 as TC on a gun truck with an O-3 in the turret. When on camp, we kept it a bit more formal, especially when around the regular "Big Army" units coming through, and of course, in front of our ANA counterparts. What struck me as interesting was that we all gravitated towards our more "traditional" roles-The SNCOs were the obvious "leaders" we all learned from and depended upon for developing our practices. The JOs took on administrative roles, interfaced with our "Green" counterparts and generally took operational control of missions outside the wire. Skipper was overall in command of our element, and direct liaison with the Army O-5 commanding the installation.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 6 at 2016 4:54 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 16:54:36 -0400

Worked in joint headquarters as military and civilian contractor. Never had a situation where a military person was upset by my using their rank and last name. As an Army Civilian I normally used rank and last name. I usually called my fellow civilians by their first name if I knew them up to GS15; otherwise Mr or Ms Last Name. Seemed to work well

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2016 5:04 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 17:04:09 -0400

Depends on who's in charge and the environment they want to set. Most of my time was spent in maintenance shops behind vault doors. Nicknames aka "Call Signs " were common, however using first names was still rare.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 6 at 2016 5:49 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 17:49:25 -0400

All services speak to one another by grade. Joint environments are no different. Last name for peers and subordinates has been an acceptable practice. Bottom line is habits die hard, and you should havea senior enlisted leader that upholds standards, as him or her.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 6:00 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 06:00:47 -0400

I'm in a joint environment as well. I don't see any harm in it as for the most part it's mostly senior folks in those units. My only advice to you is if you don't feel comfortable with it just let them know so they can address you accordingly.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 6:05 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 06:05:59 -0400

It's not professional during the duty day.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 6:18 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 06:18:07 -0400

I personally think if you are service members you should address people of the rank they earned. I wouldnt like a private calling me be my first name.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 6:38 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 06:38:41 -0400

i dont see being in a joint environment an excuse to go by first names. At worst i will use last names for those in my peer group, for those that out rank me it really isnt hard to learn the other services rank structure and insignia

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 6:41 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 06:41:58 -0400

I to work in a joint environment, I find it to be very much relaxed. The first name basis stuff can be irritating because we all know the standard. I have worked other places that did the same thing. All I can say is, it's not going to stop. You don't have to be part of it, but don't let it get under your skin.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 7:49 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 07:49:11 -0400

In the words of a retired CWO friend of mine, "If you didn't know when to call me Greg and when to call me Chief, we wouldn't hang out anyway." It really comes down to knowing the people you work with and the environment. I know when we're engaging in casual discourse between peers and superiors and when a first name is acceptable, and when I'm getting my ass chewed and therefore First Sergeant is the appropriate term to use. I may get a new 1SG who won't ever approve of the use of first names.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 8:31 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 08:31:44 -0400

In the Air Force it has become common over the last five years or so. Prior to that I didn't really notice it other than a Commander being personable with a subordinate. Obviously you would never use the first name of someone higher ranking even if it's one pay grade. For the most part I don't use first names unless I've known that person for years and never during a negative situation.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Jun 7 at 2016 8:44 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 08:44:15 -0400

When I was active duty most of the places I worked either used first names or names and ranks. But names were never used speaking with someone senior to you, only junior. It worked perfectly fine, and created a much more comfortable, efficient environment. I was in Combat Camera so we were very much a team.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 9:15 AM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 09:15:37 -0400

It's dependent on who is using the names, and obviously rank plays a factor. You wouldn't catch me (an E3) addressing my commander (O5) by his first name, but if he were to address me by my first name it would be normal. It almost seems choosing between first name and last name with rank is a hierarchy issue. Those above address those below by first name, those below address those above by rank and last name simply because it is more professional. As for those on the same level as their colleagues, we tend to use last name by itself, occasionally the first name if we're friends outside of work.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 10:32 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 10:32:32 -0400

SSG Hall, I am not completely comfortable with it (I guess from being a Marine NCO prior to be an Army Officer), but when its part of the culture of the organization, I think its easier/better to fall into it as well.

If someone doesn't know me, I definitely am not a fan of them using my first name (please don't pretend to be my friend or a mentor if we don't know each other), and I would flip my wig if a subordinate ever went to first-name basis, but I have worked plenty of places where that seems to be the norm. I think if the group works that way, its not up to me to change it (I realize this is a gray area, but I think this is different than people doing something "wrong").

All that being said, I am most comfortable at work when I can call everyone by rank and name...that's just me.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 11:27 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 11:27:34 -0400

I think it is very unprofessional it make the young ranks think it is ok and if a had ever had a young Marine or other services member address me by my first name I would have lost it

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 12:54 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:54:49 -0400

Our response to the Navy folks asking our first name was always "It's Sergeant"

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 2:44 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 14:44:47 -0400

It develops bad habits, because it doesn't work in all environments with all people of the same ranks or different ranks. I've seen it go very bad. Many people link it back to a loss of discipline. It as makes bad first impressions. If someone over hears it, it can also go wrong. Of the same rank or below only in a private settings. It all comes down to discretion. If someone corrects you don't argue because technically you're wrong.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 3:54 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:54:16 -0400

I have no issue with it on a peer to peer level or senior to subordinate level. I have done it myself with my subordinates for different reasons throughout my career (deployed, overseas, and on extended field problems). But there has to be that switch. Outside of work I don't want to be called by rank and last name. I insist on my peers and subordinates calling me by my first name. Most of my seniors have been like minded.

Response by SCPO Frank Carson made Jun 7 at 2016 4:44 PM

SCPO Frank Carson — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 16:44:29 -0400

Not!

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jun 7 at 2016 6:00 PM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 18:00:56 -0400

I am not comfortable with first names, just last names.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2016 2:47 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 02:47:14 -0400

I do not call my co workers by their first name & they do the same. Only the civilians call us by our first names, which it doesn't bother me.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2016 11:01 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 11:01:29 -0400

I've only ever called my peers by their first name at an informal setting outside of work, usually when they have civilian friends or family around. Even then I find myself in a habit of calling them by their last name. Never the case with CPOs and higher, though. I've always called them by their rank. Same with Officers, at a minimum I always call them sir/maam.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 8 at 2016 11:07 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 11:07:14 -0400

I don't like it. This is just me, but I prefer to be addressed by last name. Even before the Marine Corps I was addressed by last name. It's unique, it's identifiable. It's easier to figure out who you are addressing rather than figuring out if you were asking for the Steven with a V or Stephen with the PH.

Personally, I also have a speech impediment which affects the pronunciation of my first name. So when I say Justin, someone might hear Dustin or Jason. So Goolsby is what I have always been referred to.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2016 12:41 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 12:41:27 -0400

I always address service member by their ranks. I do hear senior officer called another officer by their first name. Rearly enlisted members calling anybody by first name. When I was a SSG I was repeating what the SFC and wo2 calling wo1 by her first name. They told me dont go there. Its like you have to be part of the group that can call each other by first name.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2016 1:31 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 13:31:08 -0400

Using first names, particularly amongst individuals of different ranks, can be a very slippery slope and I do not think is ever a good idea. We're in the military. We are professions. There are actually regulations prohibiting junior service members from addressing senior service members by first name. The best practice is to stick to using rank and last name when talking to or about any one in the service. The only exceptions should be for service members of the same rank, but even then, you need to be careful with regard to the tone, who else is present, and avoiding perceptions of impropriety. In officer ranks, it is typically accepted that a senior officer can refer to a subordinate by their first name or ("go by name"). I don't do it unless the subordinate has invited me to do so. I assume in different services it is similar and may be true for NCOs as well. I may vary by branch within the respective service as well.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 8 at 2016 4:33 PM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 16:33:18 -0400

On a funny note... During my last couple of jobs when I would work around active duty, I would call everyone by their first name, except for the Colonel. The joys of being a contractor! ;)

Response by SSG Joseph Henderson made Jun 8 at 2016 4:39 PM

SSG Joseph Henderson — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 16:39:56 -0400

If it was a peer in private and we were friendly with each other it was fine with me. I would not do it with anyone senior or junior to me at anytime. When I was an instructor and we would hang out off duty we would use first names if the other was fine with it. In private or off duty is different from being in public during duty hours.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2016 4:43 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 16:43:50 -0400

People here would lose their minds, if they were around an EOD company

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2016 5:50 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 17:50:11 -0400

If shit gets done, do it. I don't know why this has to be over analyzed.

Response by CW2 Ernest Krutzsch made Jun 8 at 2016 6:59 PM

CW2 Ernest Krutzsch — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 18:59:28 -0400

The only time we referred to anyone by their first name was when we held equal rank, not in front of subordinates

Response by CW2 Louis Melendez made Jun 8 at 2016 8:45 PM

CW2 Louis Melendez — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 20:45:13 -0400

Short Answer: You have to be mature enough to do it. Yes, we are thought/raised to be called by rank and last name but at the end it goes down to how United your team is, and how mature the members of that team are.

If your team or you can't do this...don't do it.

Response by CW3 Matt Hutchason made Jun 8 at 2016 9:14 PM

CW3 Matt Hutchason — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 21:14:32 -0400

I'm not sure what military most of you guys served in, but in my 20 1/2 years in the military, I had 20 1/2 years experience using first names. It was all situation dependent, and you had to know your audience. For some of these SGM's to say they have never done it is bollocks, we were all 20 once. A bunch of us had nicknames (mine was, not surprisingly, Hutch). My seniors called me that, which is the same as using a first name, and it wasn't a big deal. When I was a CW2, I had a E5 that called me "Mr. Sweet Tits". I called him Sizzle Chest. We never had an issue with disrespect, disobeying, or anything else. You just have to know your audience and not be disrespectful. Simple as that as I see it.

Response by Cpl Rc Layne made Jun 8 at 2016 9:16 PM

Cpl Rc Layne — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 21:16:00 -0400

Even after 25 years out, I cannot bring myself to address supervisors by their first name even when they tell me to. I have found that in the civilian world, I can get excellent results by addressing my junior staff by their first name.

Response by LCpl Nicholas Hines made Jun 8 at 2016 10:51 PM

LCpl Nicholas Hines — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 22:51:57 -0400

Situation dictates... That is all

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2016 5:00 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 05:00:36 -0400

I have never referred to anyone I have worked with by first name, period. It drives me insane when others use first names while at work. It takes away from the professionalism of the Army/Military. Hell, even with my Soldiers, I address them by their rank and last name. You earned your rank, so I give the common courtesy of addressing your rank. On a side note, I can't stand the Air Force using "Sir/Ma'am" for everyone. I'm not an Officer dammit! Lol

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2016 1:39 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 13:39:31 -0400

I use first names for civilians or service members who share the same last names (i.e. to clarify to whom you're talking).

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Jun 10 at 2016 10:31 AM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 10:31:54 -0400

That is probably not a good idea in a uniform work environment, but I have argued for not holding to that too strictly. There is a difference in keeping a respectful atmosphere and creating an oppressive one.

Response by CPT Robert Boshears made Jun 10 at 2016 2:15 PM

CPT Robert Boshears — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 14:15:53 -0400

In private, and only if the senior ranked person says it is ok. Never out in front of the troops. A battalion commander may call his S1 by their first name, but would never call the SGM by his first name.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jun 28 at 2016 10:24 AM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 10:24:59 -0400

It is best to address with rank/last name to avoid confusion, even today I prefer to be addressed by my last name.

Response by CW5 Mark Smith made Oct 24 at 2020 1:05 PM

CW5 Mark Smith — Sat, 24 Oct 2020 13:05:46 -0400

I was assigned to several joint commands. Use of first names was never an issue but the term Chief was. There were Navy Chiefs, Air Force Chiefs (E-9), and Army WO Chiefs!!!