My Navy and CG SNCOs out there. How do you respond to a service member mistakenly calling you the wrong rank?

Being a SCPO, I have been called Chief by those who dont know me the star is hard to see I have made the mistake myself especially with eyesight, and even had Master chiefs call me Master chief so the gray hair sometimes how young you look or how old in a quick second a sailor makes a decision, correct him gently smirk and tell him to carry on. life is too short. Let's put it in perspective I had young Marines trying to stand at attention while pucking and dehydrated and I had to tell them back here Im just Doc and your the patient lay down. I had to do this almost everyday for a week finally I went to the school and kept going every new class, I told them be respectful but recognize the Drs and IDCs were there to care for you

Anything after chief is just a pay raise be glad they respect you enough to call you chief and carry on

Chiefs, Senior Chiefs, and Master Chiefs usually respond appropriately to the question. If a Junior Sailor says "Good morning Chief!" (When its a senior chief) - their response is typically: Good morning. No need to be a dick about it - they understand that a single star can be hard to see..

I've only ever had one Chief "hem me up". I said "Good morning!" to a Chief as I passed him in a group of people. I was a brand new 3rd class at the time. This Chief yells out, "Shipmate!" - I turn around. He says, "You will always address a Chief by Chief. It's good morning, Chief. Show a little respect."

Had I not greeted him like the rest of my group who looked away instead, there would have been no confrontation, yet because I greeted him out of respect, but was too worried about offending him by calling him the wrong pay-grade (i.e Chief or Senior Chief), I was dressed down. Now, I will always say "Chief" if I cannot tell the different, and correct myself if I realize I have made a mistake. Were I a Master Chief and someone called me a Chief accidentally, I'd brush it off. As long as I get the greeting, I feel thats what really matters.

Thank them for the greeting correct their mis-reading of the rank device and move on...

Correct them. It's what you earned and part of what they should know

I'm an old salt from the gulf of Tonkin group. I started as a BMSA in the earlier part of my career, I decided to make a change and became a shipfitter/damagecontrolman. I accelerated quite rapidly by broadening my career choices/duty assignments. This resulted in being selected for a tour as a recruit company commander at RTC/NYC San Diego Ca. This is where I added more to my leadership acumen, and enterining the fraternal order of the Chief Petty Officer's community. As I advanced I'm still to this date a proud member, some still call me chief and that's just fine and those in passing who see my decal on the back of my car call me senior and that's alright to. Since now after years of retirement I'm actually classified as a Senior lol.

"That's Senior Chief" taking in consideration they may have just not seen the star

You are still a chief, that is what is important, I was called chief many times after I made the star, and usually, before the conversation was done, they would acknowledge my rank, I did not have to correct them. The saying, " ask the Chief' says it all.

I done it...I correct them and say, that's Senior Chief.

When I was stationed at Eglin AFB, since the Navy EOD school was there. I saw a Chief Petty officer, I did not know what rank he was at the time. So I asked him what his rank was since I did not see stripes but the Anchor on his collar. He told me what his rank was. I was a SSgt at the time. But it was nice to know so that I did not accidentally salute him without knowing if he was an officer. I still like talking to the Navy LT. about being called a Capt. I asked him if liked being promoted by Airmen. And he said yes with a smile.