Is it ever appropriate to address a fellow Service Member by last name alone?

The only time I was ever called by just my last name (while on duty) was while deployed and in a casualty situation when we were all extremely busy and no body cared. We all still called our leaders by appropriate rank but that was a stressful time for all.


SSG Robert Burns ,On the same note though is it OK to call someone by rank alone?

It was my experience as an officer that you never want a superior officer to call you by both your rank and name because what followed was never nice, but as an NCO I was called by my rank and name most of the time

As a Private, there is not that much that I can complain about, I guess once I start ranking up it will be something bigger. SSG Robert Burns

In general, I believe it is only appropriate to use the last name without rank when addressing a peer or a subordinate. I would only address a subordinate by last name only with respect generally in a field situation.

It all just depends. I doubt very much CSMs would mind me yelling their last name only in a firefight to get their attention or warn them quickly. Command Sergeant Major takes a couple seconds to roll off the tongue. However in garrison I doubt there's ever an instance where I would survive calling him by his last name only.

I personally don't like being called Castaneda. Either call me Dan, Sergeant, or Master Sergeant. Not just Castaneda.

When we were junior enlisted we called our peers by their last name but as NCO's we never did (in front of soldiers).

The way I have ALWAYS been taught is that names without titles, are reserved for familiarity. A subordinate is not supposed to have that kind of familiarity that a supervisor or a peer should. therefore, it is not acceptable to be called out by name, without your title attached. In this case, if I were to address you specifically (out of a group), I would call to you by "Excuse me, SSG (Sarn't) Burns." I would never dream of addressing you as common, because you have time, age, rank, and experience over me. This is a bit different in the Lower Enlisted category, because realistically, we all have pretty much the same practical experience level, in that most of us are not, and have not been in a leadership position, and were not superiors or supervisors to anyone.

From a peer or superior, I don't mind them using just last name. If you outrank me I almost expect it if we are friendly I don't mind. If we don't like each other I'll probably just call you by your rank and prefer you just call me by mine. If I don't know you I'll call you by your rank and name if we are peers or your my superior once conversation has been initiated I'm probably just going to address you by rank and would expect the same from you. Why would we be calling each other by name and rank over and over again in a conversation.

I guess the surface Navy types posting are showing the major difference between them and us(submariners). To us with a few exceptions, it's no big deal. We're a bit more relaxed and tend to stress the actually important parts, like keeping water out of the people tank and sinking the enemy/turning their homes into glass parking lots than caring what you call me. I've even been known to respond to "hey asshole". :p I'd prefer you not use my "slave name"(I don't feel very petty usually and I'm not an officer) and just listen to what I say. That being said, it is a privilege that is immediately rescinded if you're being yelled at and doesn't extend to Officers and Chiefs(referring to going up the chain, I've been addressed by my first name from above and it usually takes me a few seconds to process it and respond, doesn't bother me, just not used to it).

More specifically, in small commands like submarines, there are a whole lot of people the same damn rank usually, we have 5 MT1's right now including myself. It's far more efficient to just use my last name if you need my attention.