Posted on Sep 16, 2016
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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
Posted in these groups: Rules and regulations RegulationCustoms and courtesies logo Customs and Courtesies
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 346
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CWO3 Retired
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By their rank and not their rate, but their last name if you can pronounced it.
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PFC Timothy Clements
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Marine is different from army, e7 noncomm is sir or ma'am, in army it is all about their rank, no matter what.
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PO3 Gregg Kemp
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We only called NCO's, sir in bootcamp. After that, we called all NCO's either Petty Officer or Chief.
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AN William Nicholson
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NAVY only calls NCOs sir or mamme in boot camp.
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LCpl Jeff Moore
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Boot camp is different then the fleet. In marine boot camp its " it all depends but either sir or drill instructor.

In the fleet any good staff or nco worth their salt will correct you for calling them sir by pointing out they work for a living
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SN Peter Stella
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"Don't call me Sir I work for a Living." We all know that applies to everybody accept Chiefs and Master Sargents they just drink coffee for a living.

First off, Marines nor Navy personnel call NCO's Sir. In boot camp they have you call your NCO's Sir because unless you grew up in the south way back you need practice calling someone Sir. The day you wake up in bootcamp for graduation your respective Drill Instructor or Company Commander tells you that you no longer call them Sir.
In the Navy Generally any E-4 to E-6 would be called Mr literally when I was in A school the Petty Officer in charge of my barracks was named Mister- and so it was literally Mr Mister (like the band of the same time) Usually all E-7,8 and 9's are referred to as Chiefs.


I had a weird tour in the Navy, shore duty in a training squadron, - we were not required to do officer on deck when an office enter our space unless they were LT Commander/Major and above.
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
MAJ Ronnie Reams
8 y
Naval Officers are Mister Ensign through LCDR and by rank CDR and CAPT. Flags are Commodore or Admiral depending on rank. If skipper of a boat or ship Captain regardless of rank. At least, that is how I learned it back in the day.
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Sgt William Straub Jr.
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Well, let me tell ya, in the Air Force, being of superior class, dignity and BS, we referred to Officers in the AF by rank. Enlisted by Sarge, or airman. Other branches were referred to as minions unless they were brass and they were afforded the complimentary "sir". LOL. Brothers and Sisters. We actually referred to any officer by their rank, and enlisted by either Sargeant or Airman. When it came to other branches Officers by rank except sometimes a young airman may not have been aware of the difference between Ensign and 2nd LT. Enlisted were referred to as Seargent, Corporal, Private. I did find out that the senior NCO's in the Army were much happier if you referred to them as Sgt Major or First Sgt. I had little interaction with Marines and Navy
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MSgt Student
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The correct answer, use their rank. However, some may disagree but if you dont know their rank (because we all have different titles) you could Sir it out and let them correct you or just ask how can I address you. Easy day.
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LCpl Arrick Moore
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You call them by their rank unless they are warrant officer or above... Recruits are taught to say sir and ma'am only to pound it into their heads... You would be surprised at how many kids were never taught those words. Once they become Marines, that all changes, even in the last week of recruit training.
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Cpl Steven Scogging
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Only in boot camp is it sir or ma'am. Also in the corps an NCO is e4 and e5 while e6-e9 are staff NCO or Snco
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SSG (Other / Not listed)
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A quote from Lt. Col. "Bull" Meechum (The Great Santini): I want you to think of mm like... God.
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SSG (Other / Not listed)
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What most of you fail to realize, is that this only happens in recruit training for Marines. Once that Marine graduates from recruit training, he/ she will call higher ranking Marines by their specific rank. PFC, Lance Corporal, Gunnery Sergeant... so on and so forth.
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SGT Linda Moss
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I had a terrible time in basic calling my drill sgt Sir.. Two reason .. One I am from the South and you call just about every one sir of ma.'am. 2 my dad was a WWII Marine .. I fumbled a lot but got it right.
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PO2 Scott Giles
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big difference in boot vs in "the fleet" NCO's sort of act as surrogate Officers to help get recruits get used to recognizing rank and saluting.
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SSG Mark Franzen
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Some people take it wrong if you call someone sir. I made a MISTAKE BY CALLING A NAVY CHIEF SIR AND BOY DID I GET IT WITH BOTH BARRELLS
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SPC Shop Technician
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Army= Sar'nt
USMC= full rank
Navy= chief
Air Force= hey dude.
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Some interesting and funny stories on here....
Cpl Jose Rodriguez
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Well hey are sing the sir or madam bacause they are recruits in boot camp. LOWEST of he low until you earn he title. once you get to fleet then per rank. SGt. SSgt. GUnny. TOp. Depends on the nco
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SSgt Terry P.
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SPC(P) (Join to see) A Marine Recruit calls everyone "Sir"--Proper way after basic is by their rank if enlisted(E-7=Gunnery Sergeant) etc.
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PO1 Mike Doll
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"Gunny" is appropriate.
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