Posted on Jan 27, 2015
SFC Instructor/Writer  Alc Cc/Ssd 2
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"In setting up the American Army, General Washington relied heavily on the talents of General Baron Von Steuben. During this time, Von Steuben wrote what is referred to as the "Blue Book of Regulations." This "Blue Book" covered most of the organizational, administrative, and disciplinary details necessary to operate the Continental Army.
While Von Steubon outlined the duties of such NCOs as the Sergeant Major, Quartermaster Sergeant and other key NCOs it was the Company First Sergeant, the American Equivalent of the Prussian Feldwebel, that he directed most of his attention. This noncommissioned officer, chosen by officers of the company, was the linchpin of the company and the discipline of the unit. The conduct of the troops, their exactness in obeying orders and the regularity of their manners, would "in a large measure, depend upon the First Sergeant's vigilance." The First Sergeant therefore must be "intimately acquainted with the character of every soldier in the company and should take great pains to impress upon their minds the indispensable necessity of the strictest obedience as the foundation of order and regularity." Their tasks of maintaining the duty roster in an equitable manner, taking "the daily orders in a book and showing them to their officers, making the morning report to the captain of the state of the company in the form prescribed, and at the same time, acquainting them with anything material that may have happened in the company since the preceding report," all closely resembled the duties of the 17th century company sergeant.



The First Sergeant also kept a company descriptive book under the captain's supervision. These descriptive books listed the names, ages, heights, places of birth, and prior occupations of all enlisted in the company. The Army maintained the books until about the decade of the 20th century when they were finally replaced by the "Morning Report."

Since the First Sergeant was responsible for the entire company, he was, in Von Steuben's words, "not to go on duty, unless with the whole company, but is to be in camp quarters to answer any call that may be made."

On the march or on the battlefield, they were "Never to lead a platoon or section, but always to be a file closer in the formation of the company, their duty being in the company like the adjutant's in the regiment."

In the Army and Marines, the first sergeant is often referred to as "Top," or "Top Kick." The nickname has obvious roots in that the first sergeant is the "top" enlisted person in the unit, and a "kick in the pants" is a motivation tool (not literally, at least in today's military) to get the troops into gear." (retrieve from http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theservices/a/firstsergeant_3.htm)

First sergeants are generally the senior non-commissioned officers of company (battery, troop) sized units, and are unofficially but commonly referred to as "first shirt", "top", "top sergeant", "top soldier", "top kick", due to their seniority and their position at the top of the company's enlisted ranks. They are sometimes referred to as "second hat" because the Company Commander may entrust them with important responsibilities, even over one of the company's lieutenants.

First sergeants handle the leadership and professional development of their soldiers, noncommissioned officer development, manage pay issues, supervise administrative issues, manage the promotable soldiers within the company, and are the first step in disciplinary actions such as an Article 15 (non-judicial punishment) proceeding. A first sergeant may place a soldier under arrest in quarters in certain cases, as well as manage all of the daily responsibilities of running the company/unit.
Posted in these groups: Leadership abstract 007 LeadershipTradition crest Tradition
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SgtMaj Kenneth Dillon
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When I came into the Marine Corps in 1975, we addreseed our company first sergeant, 1stSgt Parker, a Korean War veteran, as "Top Parker." It was a mark of respect.
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GySgt Jon Rasmussen
GySgt Jon Rasmussen
>1 y
Ken the same here. 1stSgt. Black in 1975 was referred to as Top Black, but then we also called MSgt's top.
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SSgt Bruce Probert
SSgt Bruce Probert
>1 y
We were old school back then
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Sgt Daniel J. Daly
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Well I was in the Marine Corps for four years including 13 months in Vietnam. I’ve had a few First Sergeants. Everyone of them was addressed as “Top”. None ever said anything about that address. Now when at formation or other official activities he would be addressed as First Sergeant.
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LCDR Surface Warfare Officer
LCDR (Join to see)
>1 y
You win the 'cool name of forever' award... just sayin'
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Sgt Dale Briggs
Sgt Dale Briggs
6 y
I bet you caught some shit for your name in boot,, lol . Like you need to be pointed out for anything,
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SPC Rick LaBonte
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Once your established in a unit, you realize which NCOs, officers and WOs will tolerate slang. Usually as a private you won't do it, but as an E4 Top is how I addressed my 1SGT,most WOs were fine with "Chief" and many 2nd and 1st leuitenents didn't mind "LT", especially if you worked daily with that officer. Rank terms like that tend to help unit cohesion
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SGT Patrick Reno
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I don't know why it is offensive to some. I had a lot of 1Sgt. But only one TOP. There is just something more to a 1st Sgt that earns the name TOP.
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SPC Multichannel Transmission Systems Operator/Maintainer
SPC (Join to see)
>1 y
SGT, I agree. You can have many 1SGs but the title top is only reserved for the few. I have only addressed one of my 1SGs as top. Everyone respected the hell out of him, because he wasn’t afraid to get dirty with us. He was all about business when the mission called for it but never lost his touch to us. Everyone was motivated and we worked like he expected us to.
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SGT Patrick Reno
SGT Patrick Reno
>1 y
SPC (Join to see) - Got promoted to Sgt. out in the field. Top shows up in the middle of the night, wakes me up all pissed off and tells me to get this mess cleaned up. Then he jumps in his jeep and drives away. I look on the back of the track and there is a large peperoni pizza and a 6 pack of coke. Woke all my guys up and had pizza. been in the field for 2 weeks and that was the best dam pizza I had ever had. That's what makes a 1sgt. a TOP.
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MSG Mel Trout
MSG Mel Trout
>1 y
SGT Patrick Reno - I made SGT in the field too. But my 1SG came up and told me I was on the duty roster for KP. Said he hated to do it, but life is not fair. LOL
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SGT Patrick Reno
SGT Patrick Reno
>1 y
MSG Mel Trout - That sure as hell doesn't sound as good as a pizza.
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CSM Richard StCyr
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I was a 1SG (and pretty damn good, or so I've been told) and being called "Top" never bothered me, as I understood the traditions and it was much better than asshole.
Because I had the honor of returning to the same BN that I had served as a 1SG in, to serve as CSM many Soldiers called me Top even as CSM, never suffered any butt ache or felt slighted.
As a matter of fact I've noticed that Soldiers tend to call me by the rank that I held when I served with them when I run into them here on post or out and around town. Still no butt hurt when guys who I served as Squad Leader to, call me SGT Saint, still better than asshole and in fact I'm just glad that they remember me, take a moment and stop, and say Hi. So it was even on active duty. Because if the guys hadn't done what I asked , when I asked and done it well, I would never have had the opportunity to be 1SG or CSM St.Cyr
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SPC Rick LaBonte
SPC Rick LaBonte
>1 y
As someone who got out as an E4, to me "Top" for the 1SGT was an earned mark of respect. While I was on Ft Riley our 1SGT retired and with no 1SGT available to fill the slot, the senior platoon sergeant became acting 1SGT-my platoon sergeant! SFC Billingsly as platoon sergeant did a damn good job keeping us from getting short sheeted by the company or the battalion, as acting 1SGT, he continued that vigilance. I was honored to call him Top! As my enlistment was ending he made E8
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TSgt Tommy Amparano
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We just called them "shirt".
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MSgt John McGowan
MSgt John McGowan
>1 y
That is another that works for me.
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Sgt Charles Welling
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Can't speak for the Army, can for the Marine Corps: The United States Marine Corps is a deadly serious war fighting organization. As such, they have a very special mission and an illustrious history. Many want to argue the obvious, mostly the Army whose officers have several times in history wanted to disband the Marine Corps and allow the Army to take the role. The silliness of the effort is that once the Army is trained for the role............... they have a unit of marines. The first sergeant and/or sergeant major rank(s) are unique positions with broad responsibilities including advising the CO. As a military unit and especially a special mission unit requiring quick response and unit discipline, do you really want to minimize the roles by allowing "nick name" ranks that smack of disrespect and laxness? I think not and NEVER heard it done during my tour as a Marine with the following exception and true story: Captain: "Top, you have a phone call in the office." SgtMaj: "What was that Lt?" Captain: "I am a Captain." StgMaj: "And I am a Sergeant Major and you will call me Sergeant Major, do you understand Captain?" Captain: "Yes, SgtMaj." SgtMaj walks into the office and a muffled chuckle followed among the Marines present.
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MSG Tom Behan
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It's offensive to some because they are allowed to live a democracy. The military is not a democracy it is a way of life. For them to live the system that they signed up for. Why is top called top. What a question. They are the top dog. The top of the food chain. They are you food finance and family. They are the top backbone in your company. They are the Top NCO. They are the TOP lead by example. They are the top of BE KNOW DO. They are the commanders right hand. The commanders enforcer. It is a time honored name. It is a title well earned. It is a title if respect. Hell the company commander usually chooses top to train and leans the new LTs. Even gives top more power than LTs. They are TOP. You don't like it,. Then you need to escuse yourself from the military and respect it live it and like it. They have earned it. They are the best.
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GySgt David Shaver
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One good thing about being retired is we all have the same rank.
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SFC Greg Bruorton
SFC Greg Bruorton
>1 y
I concur on that one!
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SSgt Bruce Probert
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I don't have much time for those whose insecurities cause them to upset by being addressed respectfully.
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SSgt Bruce Probert
SSgt Bruce Probert
>1 y
Sgt Charles Welling - I have little time for butt hurt assholes being upset over being called Top by someone who was being respectful Is that any clearer?
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Sgt Charles Welling
Sgt Charles Welling
>1 y
The Marine Corps I served in did not largely think that to be respectful. Having talked to three active first sergeants and one sergeant major together, current Marines don't seem to think it respectful. It appears only a minority of Marines think is respectful and you seem to be in that minority. I have little doubt that your calling a 1st Sgt or a Sgt Maj anything but their rank would be met with your wise ass mouth being put in it's place. Is that clear?
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Sgt Charles Welling
Sgt Charles Welling
>1 y
SSgt Bruce Probert - You may find it interesting that I just (4/3/18. 12:22 PM) received a statement from a Marine Sgt Major about this issue. "Senior enlisted in a unit are to be addressed by rank only." Kind of settles it for me.............. Maybe you were in the reserves? :)
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SSgt Bruce Probert
SSgt Bruce Probert
>1 y
Sgt Charles Welling - I was under the impression that the air wing was a little more relaxed. If you think your limited knowledge plays, it's your choice. So far as your claim that I'd have my wise ass mouth being handed to me you have no idea. I find you and your references to be small minded and insecure. Reserves my ass
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MSG Dale Lee
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I'm retired army and have held this position of 1st Sgt, or as most referred, top. That was a term shortened from top dog, or top soldier in a line company. To refer to a SGM as top is wrong, he doesn't hold a leadership position. Referring to a CSM as top I've seen, but these were former 1st Sgt, and was more how the commander expanded the CSM role over company NCO guidance. Marines I know fought hard calling a 1st Sgt top, and tend to use the rank in speaking of. I'm not aware of CSS type units prodigal only CS and C type units. As long as is respectfully done I have no problem with it
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CPT Jim Schwebach
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Edited 8 y ago
Times change, I reckon. As a trooper we addressed the First Sergeant as "Top" unless we were standing in front of his desk. Then he was First Sergeant. Later I had the privilege to command rifle companies in both garrison and combat conditions in the Sixties and early Seventies. The First Sergeant was addressed to as "Top" or First Sergeant interchangeably except in formation or during ceremonies i.e. "Sir, the company is formed." "Thank you, First Sergeant. Take your post." Sergeants Major were always addressed as Sergeant Major regardless of the unit designation or staff position. All other NCO's were addressed as Sergeant unless they had stepped in the poo pile.
My son-in-law is a Master Gunnery Sergeant. I've observed that he's always been addressed by his full rank by his fellow Marines.
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Cpl Christopher Bishop
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In my day, "Top" was a complimentary thing. Thus I have to pose the question...How are people who can earn a Rank of E8 so easily offended by this? I mean in certain contextual conversations you can usually interchange in "Yes 1st Sgt", and "Roger That, Top". Meaning at least during the course of such conversation you ARE acknowledging his Position....as THE senior enlisted person/fank of your unit (company level). Showing some level of respect, while at the same time not following the similar obligatory "Sir" after every single thing you say to an LT, etc.

Me dun get it. Especially within any Combat Arms-MOS arena. If your 1stSgt is that soft to be offended by "Top", your unit likely has far bigger problems than just this issue. "Top" is in a billet where leadership by example is essential to unit success. Im tempted to suggest that if your senior enlisted is THAT soft, it probably trickles down, too. Yet we cannot chalk this up to "The Millenial Generation" either, as most of these men/women are likely approaching 35-40 years of age---those in such billets NOW---and id they ever want to make E9, they should know by now to minimize any and all of such petty fussing.

That said, DO NOT refer to any E9s as anything but the tank they have well earned, eapecially if they are in your own chain of command, lest you want to put yourself on their "shit list".
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Cpl Christopher Bishop
Cpl Christopher Bishop
8 y
I apologize for the typos, when I thought to edit...Im not seeing the "Edit" tool/button in this app. Perhaps this is part of the reason I didn't make "Top" eh?

Semper Fi
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Sgt Earl Maddalena
Sgt Earl Maddalena
8 y
I was in 76-84 and 1stSgt's were never called "Top" Only MSgts were "Tops"
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CW2 Legal Administrator
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1SG's do not do Art. 15. That is a commander's tool, and must be conducted by a commander. A 1SG could counsel at the direction of the commander, but this has been a reason for NJP's getting tossed.
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CWO3 Retired
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I was never a First Sergeant or Master Sergeant because I was a former Gunnery Sergeant prior to my appointment to Warrant Officer in the Marine Corps. But my peers who were either of these ranks were highly respected and professionals in my opinion.
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1stSgt Paul Roberson
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I was a First Sergeant for 7 years. I was informed by the people I work with that Top, Shirt was a term used because of their respect for me. I was told the ones that weren't respected were referred by their tank and last name. I always like being called top or shirt and still am addressed this way by the people who know me.
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SGT Darryl Dykes
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I always addressed my First Sargent with the respect he had earned. Yes First Sargent!
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SP5 Jeannie Carle
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Edited >1 y ago
I never had a 1SG in any unit I was in that I "respected" enough to call Top. My now-ex-husband's 1SG in his BCT training unit was ALWAYS "top" to me, in uniform or out. That's how much respect as a person AND as a 1SG I had for him.
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SSgt Vern Hoke
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During my time in the Corps, 1976-1992, I never called a 1stSgt Top, ever. Our tradition or protocol was to refer to them as 1stSgt or a Sergeant Major as Sergeant Major. In fact everyone above the rank of Sergeant, E5, is addressed by their full rank. So a Staff Sergeant, E6, is called Staff Sergeant, a Gunnery Sergeant is called Gunnery Sergeant or "Gunny", a Master Sergeant is called Master Sergeant or "Top", a 1stSgt is 1stSgt, a Master Gunnery Sergeant is called Master Gunnery Sergeant, Master Guns or "Top" and a SgtMaj is a SgtMaj. I know the Army calls most everyone above the rank of Sgt, Staff Sergeant and Sergeant First Class, are called Sgt. Master Sergeants and First Sergeants are called "Top". I don't know of anyone who would call a SGM or CSM "Top".
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SSG Brian Carpenter
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I had "Tops" and I've had 1SG's. Generally a Top is a more connected to the troops leader. 1SG's ir rather the ones who get offended by top have always been a little uptight. Had one who always said smoking was a sign of poor leadership but his first day in country he was smoking at the shave sink. I just smiled and said good morning Top bwahahaha
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