Is calling a MSG in the Army “Top” appropriate or only exclusively used for a 1SG?

Top is a term used out of respect by subordinates in a unit he served in. I still to this day have soldiers at the gate on Benning call me "Top" when i enter the check point. So i dont mind it at all. I guess what your perspective is of your unit and how much of a douche you want to be. I always say Go in strong and loud to set the standard then back off a little. It is easier to back off of a standard set than trying to go strong on soft standards.

I used to say the same thing!

I think it an honor to be called Top. I was a First Sergeant in 2002, then worked in S-3 as a MSG for five years, many still called me Top even my LTC and CSM. Then I was a 1SG again for my final year in the Army. If you get all whacko because someone calls you Top, consider that they probably meant it as a compliment and the problem is yours. One time as a SSG, I was walking late in the evening, and couldn't see the guys collar very clearly as he walked toward me, but I knew there were a lot of stripes and a diamond or a star. I said, "Good evening, Top!" He said, "It's been years since I was a GD 1SG. But you know what Sergeant? It was one of the best jobs I ever had, and it still makes me feel good to be called Top because I know it is meant as respectful. Thank you, Sergeant!" But technically, the top enlisted man in the Army is a SGM/CSM.

I had them call me 1SG or Top, It all meant the same to me. My people always showed me respect and I showed it to them. Since I retired, if I see them they will call me Top or 1SG.

It has been my experience that if the troops like/respect him they are more likely to refer to a 1SG as "Top". If he's a douche nugget they are more formal.

Agreed 1SG Healy, it is probably not a good idea to assume it is ok to call a 1SG , top, I seen in one instance where a soldier did it and the 1SG’s response was doing I like I spin young man lol

LTC (Join to see) - Exactly, Sir!

SGT (Join to see) When was that? I never got crushed!

Special Forces is a combat arms unit. The senior enlisted of a SFOD–A is a Master Sergeant and almost always referred to or addressed as "Top". The SFOD–B is a SF Company and the senior enlisted is a SGM.

MSG Felipe De Leon Brown an A team Team SGT is a platoon level billet. While the SF Company NCOIC is a SGM, that's a company level billet. The BN OIC is still a LTC and the BN NCOIC is a CSM.

SFC (Join to see) -
I'm going to have to disagree with you on your notion of an SFODA Opns Sgt being a platoon level billet. I viewed your profile and I noticed that you didn't list having attended the SFQC. I don't know where you acquired your information but it does not click with what I experienced in the years that I served in SF. The organization that SF now has dates from 1972. We had no "Battalions" in our TOE before then. A typical full-strength SF "Company" before 1972 consisted of a Hq Det., Four (4) SFOD-Bs and 24 SFOD-As and attachments (e.g., Signal Platoon, MI Det., etc.) just as a separate "Battalion" does now. The SFODA Tm Sgt has ALWAYS been on the level of a Bn SGM.
Special Forces is the epitome of a force multiplier. As such, one SFODA can train, equip and advise a Bn of infantry soldiers. Most 18Z50s, I believe, would and should take umbrage with anyone who has the notion that his billet is a platoon level billet. BTW, I advised and led platoons as a SP4 and SGT in Viet Nam. Once I was promoted to SGT, I led platoons and companies on combat operations. How many conventional infantry E-4s, E-5s or E-6s can say that?
SGT Robert Pryor