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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Responses: 346
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Cpl Renee McPherson
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In the Marines if your still in boot camp everyone is sir or ma'am but after that it's by rank.
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CW2 Pilot
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Officers: sir / ma'am
CWO: Mr/Mz ; Chief
Enlisted: E9 Sgt Major; E8 Top Shirt 1st Shirt Master Sgt.

Everyone else is "bub"
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SSG Ruben Montiel
SSG Ruben Montiel
>1 y
until you retire, then everyone is some variant of dickhead
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SSG(P) Owner
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SSG(P) Owner
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Maj (Other / Not listed)
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You're referencing Marine Recruits. Recruits are not yet Marines and Sir/Ma'am is used by recruits intentionally until they graduate. Fleet Marines identify NCOs and SNCOs by their full rank, not the Army ridiculousness of Sergeant for every SNCO or "Command" Sergeant Major. Marines only differentiate the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps...all others are simply Sergeant Major, no add Ins necessary.
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GySgt Joseph  Jay Johnston
GySgt Joseph Jay Johnston
>1 y
When I was in the corp we were a close unit, I was addressed as Gunny.
but that was back in the fourties,fiftys, Korea.Stateside it was Gunnery sergeant...
Lieutentant so,so..Capt,so and so.all formal. In the trenches,It was Gunny,LT. Cap'n.
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SGT Anthony Shore
SGT Anthony Shore
>1 y
When I joined the Marine Corps in 1984, we were directed to refer to our Drill Instructors as Sir, and by rank. i.e. Sir, PVT Shore requests to speak to Senior Drill Instructor Staff Sargent Ledyard, Sir!. After graduation it's only by rank and generally you don't have to request permission to speak first however, it might be a good idea.

In the Army Basic Combat Training (which I was in from October 2007 to Feb 2008, you did not have to "formally" request permission to speak to a Drill Sargent but asking them if they had a moment to speak with you "respectfully" was always a good plan and, you addressed them as "Drill Sargent". After graduation, by "Sargent" only up to Master Sargent (they would get a little miffed for not including the "master" in their rank. Then, First Sargent, Sargent Major and Command Sargent Major. (and Plural of Sargent Major is "Sargents Major" not Sargent Majors.
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SSG(P) Owner
SSG(P) (Join to see)
>1 y
GySgt Joseph Jay Johnston - And don't forget... Those with that "one-in-a-million" CO, who was affectionately know as the "Skipper".
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
MAJ Ronnie Reams
8 y
When I went in Marine LTs were called Mister.
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PO1 Barry Basselgia
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When I went to boot camp back in the early 80's. We called our company commanders and other staff at recruit training Sir or Ma'am. It was because of their position not their rank. And we learned pretty quick afternoon boot camp we didn't have to call other enlisted sir or ma'am. So if these are recruits, that could be what's happening.
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Cpl Scott Webb
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Edited >1 y ago
In boot camp, Marine recruits are taught to call everyone sir/ ma'am. (Except other recruits obviously) Once they earn the title Marine and are no longer recruits, they call NCO's by their respective ranks.
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MSgt Bill Loveli
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During boot camp marine recuits call anything that moves "sir"
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Sgt Engineer Equipment Mechanic
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You are talking about recruits. Recruits are not yet Marines, so they address the drill instructors as Sir.
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SPC Team Leader
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The Marines rank is damn near identical to the army.
E5 SGT
E6 STAFF SGT
E7 GUNNY SGT OR GUNNY
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SGT Infantryman
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I find the more stars,stripes,bars,eagles, or anchors they're wearing, the more they like being called "bro" or "dude"
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SGT John Kerins
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All I know for sure is the CSM is addressed as GOD!
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GySgt Joseph  Jay Johnston
GySgt Joseph Jay Johnston
>1 y
So is the CMG............
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