What is the proper way to address NCOs in different branches?

E1 Goddamn crute

Real Simple...
Marine- Hey Jar Head
Navy- Hey Squid
Air Force- Hey Fly Boy or Dude...lmao

The use of "Sir" when addressing a USMC NCO is for recruits that are not yet Marines. We all work hard to earn our rank and position so most I believe would prefer to be addressed by that rank. If working with civilians who may not be sure how to address someone, either ask or use Mr.

Just call them Sergeant. In the Army, every NCO (aside from corporals) are addressed as “Sergeant” until the rank of First Sergeant or higher. There are some Master Sergeants out there who like to be addressed as such, but the correct answer is to call them Sergeant as well. Unless referring to them, then you would say “Master Sergeant such and such...”

“Big Sarge, Sarge and Top” are insults to those professionals who hold these positions. Officers who use these degrading words neither appreciate or understand the Senior NCO. Call these same officers using slang, e.g. “El-Tee, Mage, Half or light Colonel” or any other term and prepare yourself to get your heels locked, and receive a speech about their college education, “superior” knowledge and how they are “in charge.”

I cant speak for the other branches, but yes, you should call every Marine you meet Sir or Ma'am, no matter their rank. The only way out of it is to join us.

Never call a true NCO in the Army Sarge I would vaporize you where you stand

No not by thier names, in the AF it's full rank and last name.

For the Navy you start addressing E4-E6 as Petty Officer, E7 as Chief, E8 as Senior or Senior Chief, E9 as Master Chief.

It never hurt me when I was uncertain to ask. “Could you please tell me the proper way to address you?” always worked for me. NCOs take pride in being experts and trainers. And they give respect when shown respect.

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.

The only time we called an NCO sir in the AF was during basic.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.