Posted on Dec 2, 2013
What confuses you most about "sister services?"
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<p>At one point or another we've all thought about it... something about our sister services that we just can't seem to "wrap our minds around." So, what's that one thing that just seems to defy reason--from your perspective--and makes you wonder... "why do they do it that way?" The intent is to provide a fun, interesting, and thought provoking way to promote inter-service discussion. There's only one very simple rule here.. remember to display respect for all members from all services, of all ranks, and in all statuses. This should be a lively and thoroughly interesting discussion, and we'll all learn a thing or two about our sister services and each other in the process; now, pull up a keyboard, and let's get this thing started; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads! </p>
Posted in these groups: 
Military Career
Military Career
Edited 10 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 78
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It's official, we'll do a Letterman-style "top-ten" list for this topic as well, just for fun.. vote up your favorites and submit your best to be voted on... now grab them keyboards and let's get back at it! : )
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SSG Matt Murphy
My best experience was coming in 1st in the rucksack 14 mile march at the end of Special Forces Phase I training and the Master Blaster NCOIC said: "Not bad for an Air Force Puke".
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During my career, I have served with all Branches of the US
military and numerous foreign military forces.
There many differences I have
noticed but I will discuss two from my current assignment. In my current position, I work with the USAF
and the AAF directly. My first
difficulty was being called Sir by all the USAF, officer and enlisted. My rank in the Army is Sergeant Major
(SGM/E-9). The USAF call E-9s “Chief”
but they called me Sir. I corrected several
members for the first few days but nothing changed. So I started asking them why everyone called
me Sir. The replies were the same from
officers and enlisted. They told me that
when they do not know how to address someone or simply out of respect to others
services they default to Sir. Since then
I have noticed this within their own ranks.
This is a
little off the topic but I thought it would add a different view on the NCO
corps. The AAF, I am convinced, have no
idea how the NCO should be used. I met
an AAF SGM (E-9) who was in-charge of filters.
He issued new filters and disposed of old filters. He was very proud of his job. The second I met was in-charge of
lubricants. When I asked him to discuss
this in more detail (through my IT), he said he removes old lubricant from
parts and installed new lubricant in its place.
He was also very proud of his job.
I could write awhile on this topic but I need to direct my attentions
elsewhere. Have a great day.
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MSgt Francisca Benjamin
SGM I spent 21yrs in the AF and agree with the first part of your post. However, I have never seen the second part take place. There maybe a few reasons. @ chiefs helping out their units. 2 chiefs problem just hanging out waiting for the retirement ceremony
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Nothing
Served in all four branches:
Served in all four branches:
USAF 6924th SECURITY SQ
USNR 3-12th NAVAL SECUITY GROUP
USAR 11th SPECIAL FORCES GROUP ABN
USMCR Co "D" 2nd
BN 25th 4thMarDiv
NJNG 3/113th M INF
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SSG Matt Murphy
sibling rivalry was one of the catalysts.....Thomas J. Murphy...my older brother....<br>
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I also don't understand the Navy's Rank Insignias, or structure for that matter.. But I do recognize a Navy Chief when I see one!
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CPO (Join to see)
The insignia visually indicates our "rate" or job specialty(mos), shortened to two letter designations. Once we hit E4 we're (rate)3 or petty officer third class/PO3, E5 (rate)2 or PO2,E6 (rate)1 or PO1 . Chief is always Chief(or Senior or Master Chief). It's confusing at first, I still can't tell you what some rates are on sigh, but you can never go wrong with saying "Sailor, Petty Officer or Chief/Senior/Master Chief"
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I suppose what confuses me most is the ever present desire, by the more immature population, to devalue the other services in comparison with "what they do" or "who they are". In some cases its indoctrinated to a degree, in others its self imposed adolescent behavior.
I come from a family of Marines, most of which are Vietnam veterans. Although I joined the Army I never heard any disrespect towards the Army or other services from those family members. Most of them, by the way, saw direct combat action in Vietnam.
My father went to Vietnam shortly after his initial training was completed. I remember him describing how gung ho and indestructible he felt at the time. I even have a picture of him at his graduation. While he was in Vietnam he came face to face with his own mortality. It changed his perceptions. He told me once he eventually became numb to the death he saw. It became fascinating to him, you can almost tell the exact moment the soul leaves the body. His experiences there gave him nightmares his whole life. I was very close to him and it was hard to see him in pain like that.
My fathers advice was to get a job that you can use on the outside. So I chose Aviation and haven't looked back. I Have never came face to face with my own mortality the same way that he, or my uncles, did but I would like to think I learned that lesson through him and pray I never have to experience it first hand. However, in the event that it does occur, I know my military training has prepared me to face that moment with strength and dignity.
Growing up around a mixed bunch of veterans treating each other as equals and not devaluing each others services or achievement is what I came to expect from the service. When I got there I found the immaturity I described in the first paragraph. Although this, by far, does not represent the other services as a whole, and certainly not the majority, the attitude is still there.
I imagine other services veterans, that saw direct combat, have similar
experiences. The enemy doesn't care what color uniform your wearing, or
what comes after "U.S." above the left pocket of your uniform. They only
care that it says "U.S.".
I come from a family of Marines, most of which are Vietnam veterans. Although I joined the Army I never heard any disrespect towards the Army or other services from those family members. Most of them, by the way, saw direct combat action in Vietnam.
My father went to Vietnam shortly after his initial training was completed. I remember him describing how gung ho and indestructible he felt at the time. I even have a picture of him at his graduation. While he was in Vietnam he came face to face with his own mortality. It changed his perceptions. He told me once he eventually became numb to the death he saw. It became fascinating to him, you can almost tell the exact moment the soul leaves the body. His experiences there gave him nightmares his whole life. I was very close to him and it was hard to see him in pain like that.
My fathers advice was to get a job that you can use on the outside. So I chose Aviation and haven't looked back. I Have never came face to face with my own mortality the same way that he, or my uncles, did but I would like to think I learned that lesson through him and pray I never have to experience it first hand. However, in the event that it does occur, I know my military training has prepared me to face that moment with strength and dignity.
Growing up around a mixed bunch of veterans treating each other as equals and not devaluing each others services or achievement is what I came to expect from the service. When I got there I found the immaturity I described in the first paragraph. Although this, by far, does not represent the other services as a whole, and certainly not the majority, the attitude is still there.
I imagine other services veterans, that saw direct combat, have similar
experiences. The enemy doesn't care what color uniform your wearing, or
what comes after "U.S." above the left pocket of your uniform. They only
care that it says "U.S.".
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1SG Frank Rocha
thank you sir. My father became much more even tempered and humble after Vietnam, and religious to a fault. The thousand yard stare was still there though. It never goes away. One thing he told me that helped get him through Vietnam was "if God decides it's your time to go, then nothing can save you, but if he decides it's not your time, then nothing can kill you."
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CPO Jon Campbell
I never heard much abuse toward the CG from Marines - especially after they ate in one of our galleys.
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The thing that confuses me the most, is the Navy's use of Ratings instead of Rank. It can drive you nuts. Especially, if you do not see their rank. That does not happen for Officers in the Navy, but for the enlisted, it is a nightmare to understand.
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CPO (Join to see)
It's super simple. We in the navy do not expect members of other services to know our individual rating. So when you come across someone with a "crow" just simply call them petty officer. If the happen to have an anchor call them chief. It will be up to the individual to let you know if they prefer to be addressed in a different manner.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
CTO1 Wm "Chip" Nagel USN(R) at your service. Cryptologic Technician Communications Petty Officer First Class. Yeah that is a Mouthful. Chip to my Troops and CT1 to the guys in Deck Department/1st Division. My Chop as a Naval Communicator is Casey.
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..regardless of the differences.....every branch has always looked out and helped the others when the chips were down.... http://www.eugeneleeslover.com/Sailors_Stories/Vandenheuvel.html
This page tells the story of a 20 year old WWII tail gunner, Richard Vanden Heuvel. His B-29 was shot down off Japan and he and his crew were rescued by a submarine crew. 65 years later a color video ...
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If my memory serves me correctly (perhaps not), there is a great chapter in Chickenhawk where he describes being forced to land his Army Helo on an Air Force base in a blinding and freezing rainstorm.
They were met at the "tie-down" point by enlisted airmen in a heated USAF vehicle, told to not worry about the tie-down, USAF troops would do that for them, and taken to an unreal-to-them pilots waiting room filled with all sorts of amenities they never, ever saw in the Army. http://www.robertcmason.com./
They were met at the "tie-down" point by enlisted airmen in a heated USAF vehicle, told to not worry about the tie-down, USAF troops would do that for them, and taken to an unreal-to-them pilots waiting room filled with all sorts of amenities they never, ever saw in the Army. http://www.robertcmason.com./
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