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

It depends on the unit, the commander, and the 1SG. When I had my company command in an aviation assault company (UH-1) I had a SFC for a First Sergeant. I called him Top. The Warrant Officers called him Top. He was the senior enlisted man in the unit therefore Top. When I was an infantry platoon leader in the 82nd airborne we did not call the 1SG Top.

As a retired master sergeant, I defer that appellation to a first sergeant. My experience is that I was a Battalion S-3 NCO, and I am proud to have filled that position. E-8 is E-8, but the rank devices apply to Master Sergeant and First Sergeant. I think "Top" belongs to a First Sergeant. It's unofficial, I'm sure, but if you call me Top, and some have, I certainly take no offense.

We had a MSG in my unit that told us NOT to call him Top. "When you get the diamond, you earn the nick-name". Something to that effect.

one of my 1SGs later became a Warrant Officer - and everytime I saw CW4 Keister I would loudly say "its my favorite 1SG!" He loved it. On occasion he would be with a Maj or similar who would be furious until chief keister answered "hi John!"

It simply depends on the culture of the unit. I call any MSG “Sergeant”. No environment I have ever been in have I heard any level of NCOIC (Task Force or otherwise) be called “top”. A task force NCOIC is not the same thing as a 1SG, does not share the same responsibilities, and is not rooted in the same culture as the background of the term “top”. In my *opinion* there’s more to being “top” than being the senior enlisted member of a section.

Never was around many actual Army 1SG but did serve with several MSG's during my many years of joint assignments. Never heard of a MSG being referred to as "Top" though I suppose it could have happened. That term was generally used exclusively for the 1SG and ONLY if s/he had stated they didn't mind the term of address.

Stands for TOP Sergeant in a company - - only the First Sergeant is Called "TOP". At times there have been an MSG and even a few SFC's that were assigned in a First Sergeant's slot - therefore they could be addressed as "TOP". A couple times I was the ranking Sergeant in a company - - was not the "TOP", because I wasn't the Company's First Sergeant.

My 558th MP Company First Sergeant in Germany did not like any new arriving
MP calling him "Top". After a few months when he got to know you and he did
get to know all of us he felt the "Top" reference to his First Sergeant rank was
OK coming from veteran MP's. He did not like "First Shirt" used by anyone.

I've heard the term First Shirt and Top but usually only when talking about them, not to addressing them in person. As an Air Force First Sergeant at one point the only one I ever heard address Me as top was an Army Troop, I'm not bothered by it but never used that term or First Shirt Myself in addressing a First Sergeant and don't intend to either.

Depends, I guess. I never referred to any 1SG as top. I hear it more in the Reserves, but still I never refer to a 1SG as top.

I was a SSG in one unit. I was in the Detachment Sergeant spot. That is the spot for the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commander. I was called "Top" from time to time. It's unit depending. If the MSG is the Top Kick in the unit....then they could be called "Top" if they allow it.

I think some of these nicknames come from WWII. The Company Commander, even though he was in his 20's, was the Old Man. The First Sergeant was the Top Kick. A second lieutenant was a Louie. None of these is probably an appropriate term for direct address.

US Navy has Master Chief for E-9

It never bothered me. I was the acting BN and BDE CSM as a MSG for several months at a time multiple times.

Call'em first shirt or sleeve. Top kick is always a good one. The Master Sergeant who ran the turret shop, Had been a Major in Viet Nam and reverted. I just called him Sir.

I have always called my 1SG—or any 1SG—Top. I have never met a 1SG who didn’t want to be called Top.

I get called Top on occasion; not sure why. My title is SGT and not Top or Master Sergeant

There’s MANY ways this could be answered. From what I’ve seen in my career it’s ALL over the place. Many of the units I’ve been in or associated with is 1SG is 1SG, MSG is Top, but many 1SG’s usually have been MSG’s and like the “nick name” Top. Because I was in units that I’ve seen it both ways, it’s usually good to just ask when you start interactions with them. I was an E-7 but was interm 1SG until the new 1SG was brought in, many called me Top just because of the position. But between MSG and 1SG it’s the same darn rank, it’s just a position, no one should get all bent because someone “called” you by your rank. If ya prefer Top, NP, if ya prefer 1SG, so be it.
Just my two pennies for the day!!

Might do to understand the history of "top sergeant" aka "first Sergeant"...

No you should not call a MSG top That’s only for 1Sgt
My troops called me Boss I was ok with that
I see some 1st Sgt responded they don’t like it the phase Top
These are Top’s are up tight and are driven by power not the pursuit of the troops

If you had a Jewish 1st Sergeant, would you call him "dredle"?