Posted on Sep 17, 2018
Is calling a Master Sergeant by their full rank showing higher respect, or is just extra?
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I know what the regulation states, and that is that E-5 through E-8 (except for 1SG) is addressed as Sergeant. However, I continually see soldiers addressing MSGs by their full rank. Is it a sign of higher respect for the rank they earned, or is just being extra? I can see both sides of the argument - regulation vs respect towards the rank they have obtained - I want to hear all your thoughts!
MSG
Rank
Sergeant
Customs and Courtesies
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 234
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This is interesting to those of us in other branches, in the Navy we address everyone by their actual rank. Our E-7 thru E-9 hold a special trust and confidence in the Navy and are one, never addressed by paygrade and second never addressed as anything less than Chief, Senior Chief of Master Chief.
The Army's use of Sergeant for E-5 through E-8 seems to take away from the respect owed to each rank of increasing authority, leadership and rank.
The Army's use of Sergeant for E-5 through E-8 seems to take away from the respect owed to each rank of increasing authority, leadership and rank.
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CW3 Walter Goerner
It's amazing how many apparently are unfamiliar with each service's Customs and Courtesies regulations. If you don't know, and you should regardless of your rank, look it up and expand your knowledge to outside of your present service to keep from being embarrassed and embarrassing others. In every service, there are the formal address of rank and the informal address of rank. Just how do you address an E-4 through E-6 in the Navy? Do you address them as Petty Officer First Class (E-6), Petty Officer Second Class (E-5) or Petty Officer Third Class (E-3), or do you address them all as Petty Officer? It's either. One is the formal and the other is an accepted informal address. That same goes for addressing the three Seaman ranks.
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Calling a person by their full rank is a sign of respect not only for the rank but for the person, now do you have to no, there four sgt's in the Army.. SGT, 1SG, SGM, and CSM
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I never had problems with shortcuts.:) Sergeant Major, Master Sergeant, Top, Sergeant...
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It is out of respect because some MSGs have held 1SG positions and some are in E9 positions like S3 SGM.
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I think if you feel like it, you can use the person's entire rank. Sometimes I wanted to address our Master Sergeant as Master Sergeant, Sergeant Major as Sergeant Major, or the Command Sergeant Major by his rank. It does show respect even if he doesn't expect or require it. He or she has earned the rank and the title and it doesn't hurt to show that additional measure of respect. In the other ranks of Sergeant you can certainly use Sergeant when addressing an E-5 through E7 and that seems to work fine especially when you work together day in and day out.
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I guess this new army where you can choose your sex requires such specificity.
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I think saying “Master sergeant” is a sign of courtesy and/or respect. There are two reasons why some are called “top”: 1. They are the highest ranking NCO in a unit, a detachment or a staff element of a Bn or higher, or those who know them and work with them appreciate their leadership and express it in that manner.
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