Posted on Sep 16, 2016
What is the proper way to address NCOs in different branches?
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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
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
A Marine Gunnery Sergeant typically likes to be called Gunny. Other senior MC ranks like the full title, ie: Master Sergeant, Master Gunnery Sergeant. Army senior NCOs are called Sergeant until they make 1st Sergeant or Sergeant Major. Never address an Army NCO as Sarge. He was Beetle Bailey's NCOIC/Platoon Sergeant. Air Force differs by individual but most should be addressed by full rank until they tell you differently. Navy senior NCOs are Chief, Senior Chief and Master Chief.
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NCO's are addressed by rank and name. For example, in the Army and USMC, an E-5 and E-6 would both be addressed as Sergeant, even though the E-6 is a Staff Sergeant. The only time I ever heard "Staff Sergeant" used was in a more formal setting or when a superior was upset with the SSG's performance. An Army E-7 is a Sgt. First Class, but addressed as Sergeant, whereas a Marine E-7 is a Gunnery Sergeant or Gunny.
Air Force ranks use Airman and Sergeant, although I have never been comfortable trying to figure out their Sergeant structure. Navy and Coast Guard - I haven't a clue; sometimes I wonder if they even use rank except for decorations. Honestly, though, there is a specific etiquette for each service; don't be afraid to ask. But outside of Boot Camp, the reference "Sir" applies to officers only.
Air Force ranks use Airman and Sergeant, although I have never been comfortable trying to figure out their Sergeant structure. Navy and Coast Guard - I haven't a clue; sometimes I wonder if they even use rank except for decorations. Honestly, though, there is a specific etiquette for each service; don't be afraid to ask. But outside of Boot Camp, the reference "Sir" applies to officers only.
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My Marine rank is Cpl, I got it at my 25th month in Service. I was in the Air Wing. Things were much more lax than in the rest of the Marine Corps. Pretty much everyone was addressed by the first name or nickname, whether they were Pvt or SSgt. Everyone above SSgt was call by their rank.
Post Marine Corps, I served in the Air Force. I retired as a Senior Master Sgt. I was either addressed as Sgt, Senior or Sir by junior Airmen. Fellow Airmen that were SSgt and above and I had served with for many years; first name basis.
Post Marine Corps, I served in the Air Force. I retired as a Senior Master Sgt. I was either addressed as Sgt, Senior or Sir by junior Airmen. Fellow Airmen that were SSgt and above and I had served with for many years; first name basis.
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In marine Boot camp wheb the Drill instructors tell the recuirts something the answers is yes sir. or sir yes sir.
however a army e4 should refer to a Marine gunnery sgt as gunnery sgt or gunny.
however a army e4 should refer to a Marine gunnery sgt as gunnery sgt or gunny.
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While I was in the Navy (over 30 years ago), it was perfectly fine to refer to all Chief Petty Officers as "Chief" omitting their Rating. Alternatively, you could refer to them as Chief, Senior Chief, and Master Chief as applicable. All other Navy NCOs (E-4 thru E-6) could and generally would be addressed as "Petty Officer" without their Rating or specific Rank. Use of the specific Rank was generally reserved for more formal situations such as commendations, reviews, or discipline. Use of the Rating was not generally used very much. I.e., Petty Officer Lastname or just Petty Officer - used most often, Petty Officer 2nd Class Lastname - used rarely, Electronic Technician 2nd Class Lastname - almost never used outside of records.
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In the Marines we called an E-7 Gunny and so on up the line. I do not know when the rank was created. During WW11 a Gunny was called a Gunnery Sargent, He was usually over a gun crew. On occasions he could be a mean bastard, that's according to my dad when he was in the Corps.The lower ranks always call the person by his rank and then his last name.
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By the rank on their collar, but some marines that I met were offended when I didn’t call the Staff SGT even though I was a SFC and had to tell him to chill out I didn’t mean anything by it. Remember this was in the early 90s.
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I've always had the question of what to call a Marine Corps Warrant Officer in conversation with that person. We use Mr and Chief in the Army, what about the USMC for WO1 (Mr in the Army) and beyond, (Chief in the Army).
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Each service is so very unique, if you ever have the opportunity of working in a multinational organization it will get even more confusing. Germans, British, Turkish, and all the other countries use unique rank styles and titles. Nice to see that you are taking an interest so as to render the proper respect to these service memebers.
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