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<p>How do you feel about SMs, especially Leaders, addressing or referring to someone by pay grade instead of rank or position? Are you guilty of it? Do you correct SMs on it?</p>
If you read the post SSG Joaquin Goicoechea wrote, you may understand my post better:
"I am in passing and I over hear SSG A speaking to SSG B about a SSG C and instead of using his rank they refer to SSG C as "that E6". If this in fact is what you are referring to then I completely understand why it bothers you. "
If you read the post SSG Joaquin Goicoechea wrote, you may understand my post better:
"I am in passing and I over hear SSG A speaking to SSG B about a SSG C and instead of using his rank they refer to SSG C as "that E6". If this in fact is what you are referring to then I completely understand why it bothers you. "
Posted in these groups: 
Toxic Leadership
Toxic Leadership
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 43
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When I hear a Soldier say "Man I cant wait to pin on my E-5." I ask the Soldier "What do you want to be an E-5 or a Sergeant." and then we talk about what being a Leader means. If all your thinking about is the pay raise, and not what it truly means to wear the rank of Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, etc... Then maybe you shouldn't be in charge of Soldiers. I earned the right to be addressed as Sergeant, and I do everything I can to live up to what is expected of an Army Leader. My subordinates have busted their behinds to be addressed by their Military Rank. So yes I correct Soldiers, and Seniors. Even when dealing with another service, I make it a point to address them correctly by their rank, according to their service customs and courtesies and correct my Soldiers when they fail to do so.
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SFC (Join to see)
SSG Blum,
I was just harping on this the other day. I agree with what you said. A pay grade is just that, a pay grade. Your rank is something you've earned and worked for. Your rank is your title, how you should be addressed.
I was just harping on this the other day. I agree with what you said. A pay grade is just that, a pay grade. Your rank is something you've earned and worked for. Your rank is your title, how you should be addressed.
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SSG (Join to see)
As I follow what SSG Blum has said, is that some Soldiers make statements like, "I can't wait to pin on my E-5." Well, I think what that Soldier is really saying is that he/she can't wait to get a pay raise. It would be far better if the Soldier said, "I can't wait to pin on Sergeant." This would imply that the Soldier is saying that they are ready to step up to the next level of leadership; that the Soldiers has a desire to be responsible others beside him/herself. I think such statements are a good time for some hip-pocket leadership counseling. It's an excellent time to develop your subordinates as gaining a promotion is so much more than gaining a pay grade.
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SGT (Join to see)
I've used that statement as an opportunity to teach them about the former SPC 5-9 ranks, the purpose of it, and the reason its discontinued.
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I personally don't care if someone refers to me as a staff sergeant or an E-6. I take pride in both just the same.
However I refer to others by their rank as a sign of respect in case that person finds it offensive to be referred to by grade.
However I refer to others by their rank as a sign of respect in case that person finds it offensive to be referred to by grade.
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SGT (Join to see)
You have a interesting point of view, SSG Woods. You seem not to care much because you know it doesn't change your status, rank, or position.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
Lol well thanks y'all! I just know it took the same amount of effort to earn both the pay grade and rank. Simultaneously, I certainly don't want to offend anyone who has a different perspective. Too easy, I just want everyone to be happy happy happy :)
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Call me by my rank Corporal, I earned it. I am not a designate of E-4 that is my pay scale level and I am more than that.
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SGT (Join to see)
CPL, You've never heard of personnel talking about other SMs by using pay grades, either?
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SGT (Join to see)
Okay. You were in the Army during the 80s, correct? MSG (Retired) Wade Huffman says within this forum that using pay grade to refer to other was a big issue during that time. Did you see this?
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SPC Charles Brown
Yes I was in the military during the 80's. However, I was never privy to anyone using the pay grade of an individual in reference to anyone higher than pvt E2 simply because of the confusion between slick sleeve and the one stripe private. Usually the soldiers I came across referred to each other by something other than their rank.
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I voted that it is not a big deal but I do not like the practice. I do not feel it is disrespectful but I believe it is bad practice and I myself do not refer to any Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine by there paygrade.
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MSG (Join to see)
the officers that I have interacted with use rank and last name when referring to a higher ranking officer and first name when speaking with or of a peer or lower ranking officer
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CPT Robert Skinner
SGT Spratley, I never believed in that practice, it was unnerving to me as a former E7 OCS guy that believed he earned his rank.
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SSG (Join to see)
I myself have only heard it come from an E7 and he did it out loud in front of an entire company. It was one of the most infuriating moments had had witnessed in my short career. He not only embarrassed himself, but the entire NCO corps.
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Many of you seem to interpret my question as referring to others addressing me as an E-5, which isn't the case. I'm referring to other Leaders addressing other Leaders in general without regard to respect or lack thereof. It seems I've seen this more than those of you who responded. I wonder if that's because of the few organizations I've been a part of.
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SGT (Join to see)
SFC Smith, I'm talking about Soldiers talking about another Soldier that's not in the conversation and calling them as pay grade rather than rank. Otherwise, SSG Goicoechea has shown great understand with the question.
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Needs another option in the survey. It is fairly common practice to refer generally to SMs by pay grade in a joint command: 'O3s' is easier and more precise to all services than 'LTs and Capts' or 'E7's' instead of "GySgts, SFCs, Chiefs and MSgts".... see how that could get old? now in specific I would always refer by rank, but in general pay grades can make sense.
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The only time it's of any value (IMHO) to know pay grades is if you aren't sure that the officer (probably in civvys) someone just called Captain is an 0-3 Captain (Army, etc) or an 0-6 Captain (Navy). Other than that it's disrespectful.
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I for one hear it all the time in my organization and I correct the problem immediately. In my unit we have even put it out during formations that we are to address each other by our rank. I think when it comes to addressing Soldiers by their appropriate rank our brothers and sisters in the Marine Corp got it right. For example, a Staff Sergeant is a Staff Sergeant not a Sergeant. I beleive we in the army need to start addressing Soldiers by their appropriate rank and stop calling everyone Sergeant.
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SGT (Join to see)
Odd this statement garnered no further attention after so long. This has been discussed a few times here, I thought.
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Honestly I've never heard anyone being called "E-6 Smith" vs "SSG Smith". The only time I've ever heard of a pay grade being referred to is when speaking in third person generic terms (ie. "that's is an E-6 slot", "he's one of the best E-6's I've ever worked with").
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COL Randall C.
I'm with LTC Paul Labrador in that I've never heard anyone call a specific individual by their pay grade and only in the third person have I heard it used (such as his example).
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SGT (Join to see)
Gentlemen, if you read the post SSG Joaquin Goicoechea wrote, you'd undestand better:
"I am in passing and I over hear SSG A speaking to SSG B about a SSG C and instead of using his rank they refer to SSG C as "that E6". If this in fact is what you are referring to then I completely understand why it bothers you. "
"I am in passing and I over hear SSG A speaking to SSG B about a SSG C and instead of using his rank they refer to SSG C as "that E6". If this in fact is what you are referring to then I completely understand why it bothers you. "
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