Posted on Sep 16, 2016
What is the proper way to address NCOs in different branches?
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As an E-4 in the Army, how would I go about addressing an E-7 in the Marine Corps or another branch? They call them Sir, do we as well?
Reason I asked I'm watching recruits from the USMC boot camp calling NCO's Sir/Ma'am, and for the Army we would call the cadre by their rank... But it was clarified below
Reason I asked I'm watching recruits from the USMC boot camp calling NCO's Sir/Ma'am, and for the Army we would call the cadre by their rank... But it was clarified below
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 346
In the Marine corps it's their full rank. sergeant. Staff sergeant. Gunnery sergeantetc.
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SSG Steven Smith
In the Army we are using their full rank. They earned it and Sarge just doesn't cut it.
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In the Navy it is Chief, Sr. Chief, and Master Chief!! It's the way I was taught!!
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In the Marine Corps we have a rank structure that we all adhere to. E-1 to E-3, are referred to as Privates, PFC's and Lance Corporals with their last names. E-4 & E-5 are called Non-Commissioned Officers and are referred to as Corporals and Sergeants. The E-6 through E-9's are referred to as Staff Non-Commissioned Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers. Our E-6's are called Staff Sergeant, E-7's are Gunnery Sregeants, hence the name Gunny, the E-8's are either First Sergeants or Master Sergeants, depending upon what the individual chooses when eligible to be selected for the next rank. E-9's is our Senior rank, which they can either be a Sergeant Major or a Masrter Gunnery Sergeant. Both the First Sergeant and Sergeant Major are the Senior rank and they are administrative in general. The Master Sergeant and the Master Gunnery Sergeant are Technical MOS's in their field of expertise. Both th E-8's and E-9's are considered to be our Senior Staff NCO's. But the most senior rank is our Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. He is the Senior enlisted Marine who advises our Marine Corps Commandant General Robert Nellore. He out ranks all Enlisted personnel in the Marine Corps. I should know because I came up through the ranks from Private to Gunnery Sergeant before being selected as Warrant Officer 1, I retired as Chief Warrant Officer 3 after serving 21 plus years in the Marine Corps in 1994 and still serving our Country. Hopefully this would give you and insight of what we Marines, Past, Present and Future understand how important our rank structure is to us all.
Semper Fidelis,
Gunner K.
Semper Fidelis,
Gunner K.
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In the Navy it is Chief, Sr. Chief, or Master Chief!! Been Chief for over 100 years!! We are a proud group of men and women!! Our E4 to E-6's are addressed as Petty Officer!!
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By their rank. That is always the proper way. Sergeant, Master Sergeant, Corporal, Petty Officer, Chief.
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Calling a Marine SGT., Gunny, SGM ect Sir will get the same response I gave when I have been called Sir " Don't call me Sir I work for a living" LOL
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First of all learn the different grades and insignia of all the services, this should be taught in basic training.
When assigned to a Joint Command I was appalled at the number of long time service members, both Officers and NCO's who didn't know the grade systems.
When assigned to a Joint Command I was appalled at the number of long time service members, both Officers and NCO's who didn't know the grade systems.
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In your scenario Gunny works or Gunnery Sergeant. I never met a Gunny that got uptight about being referred to as one. Enlisted are referred to as last name, rank, or Marine. Corporal, Sergeant and Staff Sergeant as rank and last name or just rank but never "Staff" for a SSgt unless you enjoy filling sand bags or burning shitters. Unlike the Army it's not wise to refer to any enlisted above Gunny as Top. I think that's how 1st Sgts are often referred to in Army and it is a term of respect as they are the Top Sergeant, or at least used to be when there were only 7 enlisted paygrades. I heard my oldest brother in Hawk Missiles in 70's at Key West use the term First Shirt a few times also. Try Top with a Master Sergeant USMC and stand by for heavy rolls. Some don't sweat it and it depends on the unit and individuals concerned. If it is the wrong guy it will likely be met with a comment like "do I look like a top, why don't you try to spin me a few times?". First Sergeants are referred to as one. Sgts Maj and MGySgts are referred to as just that except MGySgts are often called Master Guns or Master Gunny. You may have witnessed some "boots" fresh out of boot camp. Recruits first and last word out of their mouth are Sir or Ma'am and it takes awhile to get out of that habit. Folks checking into their school or first duty station are often locked up at attention and might address the Asst Duty NCO in boot camp fashion. In boot camp they might say "Sir, this recruit requests permission to speak with the Drill Instructor, Sir". Likewise a boot might report in to school or duty station at attention and address a LCpl as "Sir, Private Smuckatelli is reporting as ordered, Sir" - while at attention, staring at the bulkhead and extending his/her orders in hand. It's comical to watch but they quickly figure it out.
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Marine Corps Boot Camp, they are called recruits. As for our Drill Instructors, the recruits are taught to address their D.I.'s. as Sirs or Ma'am. Once the recruit passes all three phases of their training, then they are given the Marine Corps Eagle, Globe, and Anchor because of the rites of passage. You who once was a Marine or currently serving as a Marine would understand what I just said.
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We had a master Chief (E-9) who once said, "Don't call me sir, my parents were married"
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For Marines:
E7: Gunny or Gunnery Sergeant
E8: Master Sergeant or First Sergeant (has a diamond in their chevron)
E9: Sergeant Major (always), Master Gunnery Sergeant or Master Guns if you know them.
For ranks above E6, never call them Sarge or Sergeant. Just sayin.
E7: Gunny or Gunnery Sergeant
E8: Master Sergeant or First Sergeant (has a diamond in their chevron)
E9: Sergeant Major (always), Master Gunnery Sergeant or Master Guns if you know them.
For ranks above E6, never call them Sarge or Sergeant. Just sayin.
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LCDR (Join to see)
My Northwestern University AMOI was Gunny Steele. What a name for a Marine. Next time I saw him, he was 'Master Guns' Steele; an even better name for a great Marine.
SF
SF
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Until notified otherwise, address them by their rank. BTW, Marines call E-7 Gunnery Sgt or Gunny, not Sir.
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Horse shit! You do not ever EVER address any enlisted , no matter the rank!
Cpls, Sgts, and staff Sgts are addressed by rank. E-7s (gunnery sergeants) are called "gunny"
Msgts are known as "top" ( as in, top sergeant)
Retired from the Corps I still CRINGE at being "sir"
Cpls, Sgts, and staff Sgts are addressed by rank. E-7s (gunnery sergeants) are called "gunny"
Msgts are known as "top" ( as in, top sergeant)
Retired from the Corps I still CRINGE at being "sir"
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Sgt Richard Sprague
MSgt Bill Lovell in my many years in the Marines you better ask a GSgt, or MSgt what they wanted to be referred by. If one was to call a GSgt or MSgt as a Gunny or Top and they disliked being called the title, one would be in deep shit.
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Mow that the Army wears the rank just below the target line, the one that gets me is the 1st SGT and SM. The difference between the star and the diamond are too damned small for anyone with "aged" eyes.
Never had that much trouble with the stars over the anchors due to locations. But he Diamond and the star are in the same SMALL place.
Just my $0.02.
Never had that much trouble with the stars over the anchors due to locations. But he Diamond and the star are in the same SMALL place.
Just my $0.02.
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MAJ Jeffrey Frankart
When it was worn on the collar in BDUs, it was hard to distinguish from a distance. Sometimes when returning a salute and greeting, it came out more like "good morning first sergeant major"...which is completely incorreect, but at least it's an attempt to be correct.
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Marine Recruit training is a strange animal. Because Recruits are not considered Marines they are expected to show the upmost respect to those who already hold the title and that is the only place an enlisted Marine is referred to as "Sir." Long story short, all enlisted are called by their ranks. E-5 is Sgt; E-6 is SSgt; E-7 GySgt or just Gunny; E-8 MSgt/1stSgt; E-9 MGySgt or Master-Guns/SgtMaj. Gunny and Master-Guns are the only acceptable nick names and sometimes a MSgt and a MGySgt are referred to as "Top," but most don't like that name, a 1stSgt or a SgtMaj should never be referred to as "Top" I know the Army does that sometimes.
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Marines do not address NCO's as Sir/Ma'am. They address them by their rank. The only exception is recruits. While in recruit training, recruits address their NCO drill instructors as Sir. Under any other circumstances, addressing a Marine NCO as Sir/Ma'am will draw you a highly negative response!
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
That's why I was asking, we never called NCO's sir in Boot... I'm not around Marines a lot so I was not sure if that was a thing
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If you were seeing Marine recruits (not graduated from boot camp yet) they address everyone ass sir, ma'am. The rest of the services are addressed by their rank. I had to teach my wife (Air Force) all the ranks of all the services before she went to Air Force basic. It used to be part of Marine Corps recruit training to learn these things....dunno anymore, graduated in March 1995
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It is appropriate to address members of other services by the rank and our last name (if known). If they are actual recruits, have not yet graduated boot camp, they address everyone by sir or ma'am. But, during boot camp, they are taught all of the different ranks of all of the different services so they can address other service members appropriately.
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This may have been said before in one of the responses but the actual PROPER response is by rank, and last name (if necessary). That is (IMHO) the safest way as well - as how familiar one can be with a person of superior rank is dependent on the person and his or her mood in any given moment - as I learned one night from a sergeant with whom I thought I had a pretty good relationship with hanging out after duty hours. One night in a bad mood and PO'ed at our CO and he decided to take it out on me. It was a hard lesson.
The guy was WAY out of line and I was told by our First Sergeant, who heard of it I could have had his stripe but the guy had ten years in; two tours in Nam, and personal problems. It wasn't right, but I also realized I owed him a debt of gratitude for teaching me a great lesson about being too familiar with those in authority over you. From that time on I have NEVER addressed a supervisor by his or her first name - no matter HOW close we might become; and I've never found myself in another situation like that night in Germany.
JMO - learned from experience. Now there are titles and nicknames that are generally accepted. Last names for enlisted personnel were okay when I was in, Sergeant -----, passed for NCOs, First Sergeant - "TOP" was an honor when I was in but I understand it has been a no-no... rank for officers, but when in doubt I don't think you can go wrong with rank and last name.
The guy was WAY out of line and I was told by our First Sergeant, who heard of it I could have had his stripe but the guy had ten years in; two tours in Nam, and personal problems. It wasn't right, but I also realized I owed him a debt of gratitude for teaching me a great lesson about being too familiar with those in authority over you. From that time on I have NEVER addressed a supervisor by his or her first name - no matter HOW close we might become; and I've never found myself in another situation like that night in Germany.
JMO - learned from experience. Now there are titles and nicknames that are generally accepted. Last names for enlisted personnel were okay when I was in, Sergeant -----, passed for NCOs, First Sergeant - "TOP" was an honor when I was in but I understand it has been a no-no... rank for officers, but when in doubt I don't think you can go wrong with rank and last name.
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All enlisted personnel in the Marine Corps are addressed by their rank. In the case of an E-7 he/she would be addressed as Gunny. Every Gunnery Sergeant I have encountered will allow that nickname. And by the way, E-5 is Sergeant. NOT sarge.
The only time I was ever required to address an enlisted person as sir was while attending boot camp.
The only time I was ever required to address an enlisted person as sir was while attending boot camp.
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