Not allowed to address IET Privates by their rank.

this is what happens when we have whiny, bitchy civilians running the military

I guarantee they don't have a problem when they go home and someone calls them private!! I guarantee it!!! It was an honor to me when I was addressed that way.

This really comes as no surprise. I'm sure any feel the same way. We always knew things would change, but not to the extent we have to cater to kids and walk on egg shells to avoid hurting someone's feelings. These Soldiers will never really understand the true meaning of what and our predecessors have laid forth for them via blood, sweat, and tears (not tears because we didn't get our way or we got smoked). I think I'm one of the fortunate with a little over two years left. I feel for my peers and junior NCO that have to continue to deal with all of these horrific changes.

What a bunch of BS! When I was in IET, The DS didn't even pronounce Private all the way. It sounded more like PRYY-IT! You didn't here us complaining.

Does this mean that WLC (PLDC when I went) is going to stop using the word 'Sergeant' in such a derogatory manner? Or how about 'Cadet', 'Candidate', and all the other great official titles that can be said in such a way that you get sick of hearing it when you are in school?

I guess i have to agree that it comes down to today's society. Instead of producing young adults who are ready to face adversity and opposition to get where they want/need to go, we hand everything to our next generation on a silver platter! EVERYONE gets an award (i cant wait to see everyone on the Commandant's List just for showing up to WLC) and everyone is special!

Sigh....10 more years....this is should be fun....

So then do Officers not get to smoke an NCO by yelling "Sergeant!"?

Did a new TRADOC Reg 350-6 come out. When I was a drill sergeant, their rank was one of the few things we could call them along with Soldier.

When I went through basic, we were all called "privates." It didn't matter what rank you were, from fuzzy to SPC. Now, I came in as a SPC and was always called private. My rank was only referred to when it was in the interest of the cadre- i.e you are a SPC, show some leadership, etc. I was not offended, because, at the end of the day, I was getting paid as an E4. I also realized that it was like getting called a "recruit" at the Marine depot. While I was a SPC, I really hadn't done anything in the military's eyes to earn my rank. To me, until I passed basic, I wasn't even "in" the Army. I was NEVER referred to as "warrior" or "ninja" or "sniper" or anything else outrageous- I think anytime I heard people being referred to as something along those lines, it was NEVER in a good light. It was always satirical and sarcastic. Now, I am in AIT. I "technically" don't receive my MOS until I complete AIT. I am referred to by my rank now. While, it would have been nice to be referred to as SPC in basic, it really didn't mean anything one way or the other. I didn't lose sleep over it.

Yup, certainly do not miss that detachment. This was the same one that said if we said anything to the IET "people" to include correcting them, we would be counseld and dealt with accordingly.

I currently have about 25 Soldiers that are PFC or below in my platoon, I call them by their rank and name and nobody has complained about it