Posted on Sep 16, 2016
SPC(P) Information Security (Is) Analyst
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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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SCPO Frank Carson
10
10
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The Air Force folks always used to call me sir, I told them "you can call me Senior Chief..." They said "Ok Sir..." I was like WTF, but you know it is still a sign of respect... Chief, Senior Chief, Master Chief! 789!
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SrA Aircraft Structural Maintenance
SrA (Join to see)
>1 y
Sorry to say, but I think I did that to a Coast Guard Petty Officer once. I think I corrected myself, but I was still trying to learn Navy/CG ranks.
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SGT Larry Holland
8
8
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When in doubt, ask. When I met an E-6 from the Marines, I asked him what is his rank called & explain their enlisted ranks structure.
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CPT Gordon Berkstresser
CPT Gordon Berkstresser
>1 y
That has been my experience. When I ask, NCOs are HAPPY to instruct. There is nothing better than asking someone who knows something to convey knowledge.
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CPT Gordon Berkstresser
CPT Gordon Berkstresser
>1 y
Oh, and I went through OCS - same experience enlisted and officer...most NCOs are consummate professionals who love to teach those willing to learn.
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Cpl Richard Slusher
8
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They were recruits. They are not Marines yet. They have not earned the privilege of calling enlisted personnel by their rank.
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LCpl Stephen Arnold
LCpl Stephen Arnold
>1 y
"You're not even human FUCKING beings!" Gunny Ermey
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LTJG Ansi Officer
7
7
0
Don't ever call anyone in the Navy "Sir" unless they are an Officer. Had an airman keep calling me "Sir" - drove me up the wall. I kept correcting him, and I swear, he kept doing it just to irritate me. Anyway, if you see chevrons in the Navy it is "Petty Officer" - if you see a Gold Anchor, it is "Chief".
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PO1 Kevin Dougherty
PO1 Kevin Dougherty
>1 y
My favorite comment I ever heard was at a station a kid right out of boot camp called the ETC sir. The chief looked at him for a second, and said, I work for a living son, don't call me sir, call me Chief. Yea it's kinda standard, but it still tickles me when I think of it 40 years later.
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MSgt Security Forces
MSgt (Join to see)
>1 y
Probably couldn't read the name on your ass! Ha ha
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Maj Marty Hogan
Maj Marty Hogan
>1 y
LTJG (Join to see) Go easy- I lived in the South for several years and started to adhering to call everyone sir or ma'am as a respect thing. Being prior enlisted it is even harder for me- but I will go with if I knew it irritated you defense... you know my sarcastic sense of humor anyway. Thanks for sharing
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AA Kurt Arnold
AA Kurt Arnold
>1 y
Dress uniforms chiefs have chevrons and a top rocker one star senior two stars master chief, been out thirty years and remember that
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CMSgt Tim Garland
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6
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Here's what I found from my research and experience working in the joint world:
US Army
E-1 Address as “Private (last name)."
E-2 Address as “Private First Class (last name)."
E-3 Address as "Private (last name)."
E-4 Address as "Specialist (last name)."
E-5 thru E8 (non-First Sergeant) sergeants, staff sergeants, sergeants first class, and master sergeants: Address as "Sergeant (last name)."
E-8 First Sergeant (has diamond between upper and lower chevrons) Address first sergeants as "First Sergeant (last name)."
E-9 Address sergeants major as "Sergeant Major (last name)."

USMC
IAW GMK 1010…Speaking to enlisted Marines. Address them by rank and last name; avoid casual use of first name or nicknames. Senior enlisted Marines should also be addressed by their full rank and last name. Always refer to a Marine by rank, not pay grade.
E-1 Address as Private
E-2 Address as Private First Class
E-3 Address as Lance Corporal
E-4 Address as Corporal
E-5 Address as Sergeant
E-6 Address as Staff Sergeant
E-7 Address as Gunnery Sergeant
E-8 Address as Master Sergeant
E-8 Address as First Sergeant (has diamond between upper and lower chevrons)
E-9 Address as Master Gunnery Sergeant
E-9 Address as Sergeant Major (has star between upper and lower chevrons)

Navy
E-1 – E-3 Address as Seaman
E-4 Address as Petty Officer Third Class
E-5 Address as Petty Officer Second Class
E-6 Address as Petty Officer First Class
E-7 Address as Chief
E-8 Address as Senior Chief
E-9 Address as Master Chief

Air Force
E-1 – E-4 Address as Airman
E-5 thru E-8 Address as Sergeant
E-9 Address as “Chief”

Coast Guard
E-1 to E-3 Address as Seaman/Fireman/Airman and last name
E-4 to E-6 Address as Petty Officer and last name
E-7 Address as Chief
E-8 Address as Senior Chief
E-9 Address as Master Chief
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PO3 Cryptologic Technician
PO3 (Join to see)
7 y
Actually the Navy is the same as you have listed for the coast guard. E4-E6 is just Petty Officer normally. You usually dont address the class. The exception is if you know the Sailors job. Then you address them with their job abbrivation followed my 1 2 or 3 depending on class. So in my case I would either be Petty Officer or CTN3
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SP5 Rick LaJiness
SP5 Rick LaJiness
>1 y
have to correct you,..in the Army an E-3 is a PFC...E-2 is still Private....unless things changed since 1972
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SP5 Rick LaJiness
SP5 Rick LaJiness
>1 y
E-1...no stripe E-2 ...1 stripe E-3...1 stripe with rocker
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PO2 Electronics Technician (Et)
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Navy NCO's range from PO3 to MCPO, for PO3-1(E4-6) they are addressed as (rate abbreviation)3, 2, or 1. I am An Electronics Technician 2nd Class so ET2, below me would be ET3 and above would be ET1. Once a First Class Petty Officer makes Chief(E7) regardless of the rate they are referred to as Chief, E8 is Senior Chief, and E-9 is Master Chief. If you are going to shorten the addressing of any of the more senior pay grades it's Senior, and Master Chief (this one doesn't shorten)
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LCDR Operations Officer
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>1 y
Don't forget Command Master Chief. Same paygrade as a Master Chief but not the same.
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PO2 Electronics Technician (Et)
PO2 (Join to see)
>1 y
Sir, All my CMC's went by Master Chief Command Master Chief is not a pay grade or a rank title but a position, I have met a few CSC's (Command Senior Chief) and CC (Command Chief). Also the navy has again made the rates a thing, so I am once again an ET2 yay.
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LCDR Operations Officer
LCDR (Join to see)
>1 y
ET2: I agree with your point concerning shared paygrades but the question was how to address them. A Command Master Chief should be addressed as such. If your Master Chief's didn't say anything, you're lucky. I know a few who would've eaten part of your ear for the mistake. As a commissioned officer, I have apologized to a senior chief for calling him "Chief" when I failed to pick up the star above his fouled anchor on his cover or collar. In my opinion, chiefs who advance to E-8 and 9 really deserve the recognition. It is very difficult to make chief and even more difficult to a Command Master Chief.

Incidentally, a Command Master Chief is CMDCM. CMC is a Chief Construction Mechanic in the Seabees.

PS I am glad you were able to remain an ET rather than a PO2. Tot this day, I still consider myself a Gunner's Mate.

R/
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PO2 Electronics Technician (Et)
PO2 (Join to see)
>1 y
Sir, Command Master Chief is a billet not a rank. There are some unique qualifications to take a Command Master Chief position, however that does not change the fact that it is simply a billet.
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TSgt Desmond Gusimat
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5
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How about "understood" responses for each branch?
Marine = Hoo-rah!
Army = Roger that!
Navy = Aye-aye!
Air Force = Cool!
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LCpl Darrell J. Farley Jr.
LCpl Darrell J. Farley Jr.
7 y
Marines say Ooh Raaa
Navy Seals say Hoo Yaa
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Cpl John Porpora
Cpl John Porpora
>1 y
Marines - "understood" = Aye Sir....or Aye Aye
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MSgt Joseph Haynes
5
5
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In the Air Force it's Sgt until you see a Chief Master Sgt. You better address them as Chief. We only use full rank for formal occasions.
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PO1 Imagery Analyst
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A6bcb3c0
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SPC Greg Campbell
SPC Greg Campbell
7 y
LMAO
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SSG G Smith
5
5
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With respect even the wrong term won't cause an issue. Every branch is used to it. Just be respectful.
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