Posted on Sep 16, 2016
What is the proper way to address NCOs in different branches?
226K
2.33K
878
83
83
0
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
LCpl Stephen Arnold
In the Army it is possible to earn your rank, and sit in the same slot as "promotable" until you do finally get your 5. Kind of like when you work two weeks, you have slready earned the money, but you don't get it for another week.
In the Army it is possible to earn your rank, and sit in the same slot as "promotable" until you do finally get your 5. Kind of like when you work two weeks, you have slready earned the money, but you don't get it for another week.
(0)
(0)
I spent four years in the US Air Force and sixteen in the US Army. While in the Air Force I never addressed an NCO with “Hey Dude!” Or by their first name, I addressed them by their rank or rank and last name. I don’t know what Air Force these guys are in nowadays but back in 1974 went I went through basic that was unheard of. In the Army it was pretty much the same way. When I made buck sergeant then staff Sergeant being called sarge was fine with me, but most of my squad called me by my complete rank. While in Desert Storm back in 1991, I had to pick up some paperwork from a Marine bivouac area out in the desert and all the lower rank Marines called me Staff Sergeant. They were very respectful. For me, I would never call another soldier by their first name unless he or she was of the same rank as me, period
(0)
(0)
Coming from the Australian Military you always called them by their rank no matter what Service until told otherwise. But then again the Aussie Military teachs all Service ranks at Recruit Training. I retired as an E9 equivalent and was called Sarn’t Major by the Army, Sir by AF and Navy guys.
(0)
(0)
We always called all NCOs sargeant. or for y'all southern or country dudes Sarnt. Except for First Sergeants or Sergeants Major then they were called what they were
(0)
(0)
In the Marine Corps you only address an enlisted Marine as Sir or Ma'am IF you are a recruit in basic training. If you're a service member of another branch you address then by their full rank, i.e. Staff Sergeant, Gunnery Sergeant, etc. The only exception to this is a.) unless you are familiar with them, and b.) they allow you to address them less formally.
(0)
(0)
As an Airman (though a rank in the Air Force, also the generic term for an Air Force member) who had been in joint units for over 27 years, I learned the ranks and terms of address of the other services early in my career. I have learned in the interest of getting the job done to politely correct them - if appropriate - and press on. Chewing someone out is not a productive method, especially if they truly do not know the correct term. As an E-9, I have been called a Sergeant, Air Sergeant Major, Sarge, and hey you in addition to the appropriate term, Chief. If it isn't worth my effort, I just let it go. When it is the correct setting, I will correct them. I am in a joint office now, and make a point to address learning the correct terms whenever possible.
(0)
(0)
As a professional Military Member I would use the term of address that persons service employes Marine Gunnery Sergeant or Gunny. Navy E 7 Chief or Chief Petty Officer etc.
My personal favorite cring worthy mis address is when Civillian Reporters adress a O5 as Lieutenant Colonel repeatidly during a conversation instead of calling the individual as Colonel. Or calli g a Sergeant Major as Major.
Doing eithermakes them appear ignorant.
My personal favorite cring worthy mis address is when Civillian Reporters adress a O5 as Lieutenant Colonel repeatidly during a conversation instead of calling the individual as Colonel. Or calli g a Sergeant Major as Major.
Doing eithermakes them appear ignorant.
(0)
(0)
For the Air Force, NCOs can be referred to as “Sergeant”; E-9 can be Chief or Chief Master Sergeant. And per the newest AFI, E-8 can be referred to as “Senior”, “Sergeant” or Senior Master Sergeant”
Junior enlisted can be called “airman” or their full rank
Junior enlisted can be called “airman” or their full rank
(0)
(0)
All E-4 through E-6 in the Navy are petty officer. NCOs in the Marines go by full rank with the exception of gunny and master guns. Air Force- seargent works.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next