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

In my day (1956-1980), all noncoms were addressed as "Sergeant" except for the First Sergeants and Sergeants Major. "Top" was the informal address for a First Sergeant and "Sergeant Major" for the Sergeants Major. Command Sergeants Major came later in my career and I believe they, also, were addressed as "Sergeant Major."

Duh??? With respect!

Just to be safe I would address them as Sirs and Mams if you are not sure.

"Gunnery Sergeant" is the proper formal address. If you work directly with the individual, or have established a collegial relationship, or if you are senior in grade, "Gunny" is appropriate.

Just don't call a Sergeant Major "Sergeant". I made that mistake at boot camp once....

Once.

These days, I stick with Soldier, Marine, Sailor, (ch)Airman (the ch only if I know they have a sense of humor), or Coastie. Occasionally, I'll revert back to preDD214 habits but that doesn't happen often.

On a serious note, when unsure, it's always best to ask what the respectful manner is to address the person in which you are addressing. Something along the lines of "My apologies. I'm unfamiliar with (insert branch)'s regulations. What is the proper way to address you as." From my experiences while in, most will generally take such an action as an attempt to respect their rank (as it is) and will be courteous about the situation.

A Senior Chief Petty Officer threw a fit over the phone when I called him chief in Iraq. The fact that he was coming to me for help did not matter. The Navy takes their rank way too seriously. When I am now I get called by my first name everyday. Took me a while to get used to it.

Knowing a veteran of the Marines and the Army, you bet your ass, it is Sergeant, Staff Sgt., Gunny or Gunnery Sergeant, on up. I have seen a gunnery address a SFC in the Army just as that, SFC.

When I got out, in '82, I had nine days to go before I went from E-4 Sr Airman to E-4 Sergeant. From Airman to NCO; same pay grade. My promotion certificate came in the mail to me at home after ETS. Today, my 3 stripes and a silver star is a Sr. Airman. Anyway, back then, I'd have been Airman and then Sergeant. I was in Law Enforcement and while we were on duty, doing the same jobs and backing each other on the same incidents, we would often just call each other by last names. But, in the office and around others, I wouldn't have even considered calling NCOs senior to me by their first OR last name. They were all named "Sergeant". Even the Senior NCOs, Master Sgt and above, were "Sergeant" unless they were E-9 Chief MSgt and then they were Chief or Sergeant. Officers were always called by their rank. When I was in Izmir, Turkey, the Chief of Security Police was a Sr. MSgt but, since he was "the Chief", we called him "Chief".

The proper etiquette, in my opinion, which several tell me is only worth 1 cent, lol, is to approach the individual and immediately apologize for your ignorance. "Excuse me, but I am unfamiliar with the rank insignia of your branch". "What is the proper way to address you"
In this manner you have automatically shown respect, and earned it at the same time.
You have shown it by not addressing them incorrectly. You have earned it by presenting a willingness to learn. I never met a superior that felt disrespected from asking for the benefit of their knowledge.

The Air Force is notorious for overusing "Sir" and "Ma'am" for just about any rank and it's extremely annoying to say the least. I never considered myself a hardcore airmen who bleeds blue by any means, but I do think the Air Force should be more formalized in addressing each other by proper ranks and the enlisted corps should not be addressed using titles typically used for officers (e.g., Sir and Ma'am). Having gone through a joint environment tech school in the late 90s, it was obvious the Marines and Army took a lot of pride in being called their specific enlisted rank, whereas, in the Air Force, you are a "sergeant" whether you are E-5 (Staff Sergeant), E-6 (Technical Sergeant), or E-7 (Master Sergeant). It was only at E-8 and E-9 when the titles seem to change to "Senior" or "Chief". I personally took a lot of pride in being enlisted and always preferred being called "Senior" over anything else.

Gunnery Sergeant is proper. Gunny if you know him/her. Guns if you truly know him/her. Sergeant if you don't know better.

To me? No matter what branch, I would address a senior NCO of any branch by full rank. If corrected, I would apologize and refer to them by the correction.

Lower pay grade would be soldier(Army), sailor(Navy), marine(Marines), airman(Air Force)

I think I would stick with Sergeant for Marines and Air Force. Navy always confused me.

Once out of Boot Camp, NCO's and SNCO's were referred by there rank. SSGT Smith or 1stSgt.

Being a 1st class in the navy with 17+ years in an NCO hates being called sir or ma'am. You should study the NCO rankings for all militaries. An E-7 in the navy is a Chief, an E-7 in the army is a sergent first class, an E-7 in the Air Force is a master sergent, and a marine E-7 is a gunnery sergent. I hope this helps.

If they are the same rank or below i call them by their last name. If they are enlisted above me I address them by their rank. If they are officers i call them sir or ma'am unless she is a WO then I call her sir. I still hold to the ranks even if they are retired and I know them. That's my spin up.

well....if one is brave (or stupid...we all know that fine line), just address them like this-
"Yo Dude.....wut up"
LOL

When I first showed up to my unit, I thought I knew rank structure, but then I was introduced to all new titles. At least in a Field Artillery Battery.
You have Gunner, Chief, Gunnery Sgt and Smoke. Those were the ones just in the firing battery.

In the Army, E5 SGT through E7 SFC, you address as Sergeant. E8 Master SGT is addressed as MSG (Master SGT), E9 1SG is First SGT, E9 Sergeant Major is Sergeant Major (SMG) and E9 Command Sergeant Major is Command Sergeant Major (CSM). As for the Marine Corps, unless you're in Recruit Training and are instructed to address your Drill Instructors as Sir or Ma'am, in the fleet you will address them by their Title/Rank and Name "Drill Instructor Staff Sergeant Ledyard, Drill Instructor Sergeant Shelton. Gunnery Sergeant (insert name here), Master Gunnery Sergeant (insert name here). Navy and USAF? no clue.

In the Marines if your still in boot camp everyone is sir or ma'am but after that it's by rank.

Officers: sir / ma'am
CWO: Mr/Mz ; Chief
Enlisted: E9 Sgt Major; E8 Top Shirt 1st Shirt Master Sgt.

Everyone else is "bub"

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.

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.

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.

During boot camp marine recuits call anything that moves "sir"

You are talking about recruits. Recruits are not yet Marines, so they address the drill instructors as Sir.

The Marines rank is damn near identical to the army.
E5 SGT
E6 STAFF SGT
E7 GUNNY SGT OR GUNNY

I find the more stars,stripes,bars,eagles, or anchors they're wearing, the more they like being called "bro" or "dude"

All I know for sure is the CSM is addressed as GOD!

Marine recruits call all Marines (who have earned their Eagle, Globe, & Anchor) sir or ma'am until boot camp graduation, then they address them by rank. During my enlisted time if I saw someone from another branch and recognized their insignia I would address them by rank, if not I would call them sir (or ma'am).

In the Old Corps you can call an E-7 and above, Sir in the USMC. The rank below that is you call them by their rank.

Marine boots call everyone "sir/ma'am.
Do army guys actually call each other by their pay grades? "Good morning E-7," "Good morning, E-3." Don't they have ranks anymore?

Recruits in boot camp aren't Marines yet, so it's outta respect they call Marines sir and ma'am. Once they earn the title then you address them by their rank.

So I've had this issue before and my go to move is to just call them by their rank. It's quick and you'll never be wrong.

The proper form of address for a Marine E-7 is Gunnery Sergeant. For a Navy E-7 it's Chief; Army and USAF both apparently address their E-7s as just Sergeant. Call a Gunnery Sergeant, "Sergeant" and he or she will probably inform you in no uncertain terms they were a Sergeant 6 years ago and have been promoted twice since then. Formally, Marines do not shorten Enlisted Grades, e.g. an E-5 is addressed as Sergeant, NEVER "Sarge"; E-6 is addressed as Staff Sergeant; E-8 and E-9 are tricky for the non-initiated. E-8 can be either First Sergeant (diamond and three rockers) or Master Sergeant (crossed rifles and 3 rockers). E-9s are either Sergeant Major (star and four rockers) or Master Gunnery Sergeant (bursting bomb and 4 rockers).

You know how you NEVER call an Army Command Sergeant Major just Sergeant Major? Well that goes about ten times for never calling a Master Gunnery Sergeant "Gunny" or worse yet, Sergeant. I don't even want to be around to see the bloodshed if that happens.

Navy is pretty simple. E-4 to E-6 are addressed as Petty Officer; E-7s as Chief; E-8s as Senior Chief and E-9s as Master Chief.

I think your first mistake was using Marine Corps Boot camp as your base of knowledge. Recruits refer to everyone as Sir/Ma'am because they are not yet Marines and have yet to earn the right to address them as a fellow Marine.

Here is the run down for actual Marines.
Basically Officers are Sir/Ma'am.

Enlisted call them directly by their Rank. A staff Sergeant is a Staff Sergeant. Gunnery Sergeant is a Gunnery Sergeant. No sarge, nothing like that. As a non Marine that is your left and right lateral limits.

You Have Address people to what they are And Sarge is not a Rank it is Fish it's in the dictionary. I was brought up that I called everyone sir Or by their names not in military before
that. But today Being around for almost 61 years Kid have No respect for there elders.
SSG MARK FRANZEN
VET

In Marine boot camp we use the term Sir & Ma'ma we don't call NCOs by rank until we get done with boot camp

An E7 or any NCO?

As an E7 if they were in the Navy, you'd call them Chief, and at least between Navy and Marine Corps, we would call them Gunny. We never really dealt with senior NCOs from the Army or Air Force, though.

For the junior NCOs, we usually just called them Sargent or Petty Officer. Not the full rank, but the shortened version.

Call him or her Gunny. Short for Gunnery Sergeant. They would appreciate that.

When I was in the AF I only ever referred to someone of equal or lower rank by their first name if I knew them well and worked with them regularly. E-1 to E-4 were Airman. E-5 to E-8 Sergeant unless a First Sergeant E-7 to E-8. Then it was was First Sergeant, Top, or Shirt. E-9 was always Chief. Never referred to an officer by first name on or off-duty.

If the rrecruit is taking to anyone while in boot camp, I can understand it. But with that being said, rank should also be expected to be addressed appropriately. But just don't confuse recruits with those that have already graduated.

Recruits don't rate to call anyone anything other than Sir or Ma'am. Once you graduate boot camp and earn the title of US Marine, you call enlisted by their rank. If you can't distinguish their rank due to uniform, eyesight, etc, err on the side of caution and call them sir. Especially in woodlands, it's pretty hard to tell the difference between a SSgt (E-6) and a GySgt (E-7)

Marines call their Drill Instructors sir or ma'am. But out in the fleet we call them corporal, sergeant, gunny, top/Master sergeant and Master guns or Master gunny.

called my DS "Sir' first time I met him, or should I say encountered him. anyone under the rank of E5 in my unit was either by their name or some nice derogatory remark. 1st Sgt was TOP (unless you were visiting his office) all E5 and above were Sarge. most E6 were Staff, and again E7 and above were Sarge. But it really changed dramatically when your in the field.

look at all these sirs and ma'ams!! lol

Officers are Sir or Mam . NC0s by their rank. Chief Warrant Officers are Sir or chief or chief warrant officer

I can't believe they let you be an E-4 .....seriously.

With respect like you would want anyone to give to you. If, respectful I can only assume he or she can explain respectfully address them.

By their rank and not their rate, but their last name if you can pronounced it.

Marine is different from army, e7 noncomm is sir or ma'am, in army it is all about their rank, no matter what.

We only called NCO's, sir in bootcamp. After that, we called all NCO's either Petty Officer or Chief.

NAVY only calls NCOs sir or mamme in boot camp.

Boot camp is different then the fleet. In marine boot camp its " it all depends but either sir or drill instructor.

In the fleet any good staff or nco worth their salt will correct you for calling them sir by pointing out they work for a living

"Don't call me Sir I work for a Living." We all know that applies to everybody accept Chiefs and Master Sargents they just drink coffee for a living.

First off, Marines nor Navy personnel call NCO's Sir. In boot camp they have you call your NCO's Sir because unless you grew up in the south way back you need practice calling someone Sir. The day you wake up in bootcamp for graduation your respective Drill Instructor or Company Commander tells you that you no longer call them Sir.
In the Navy Generally any E-4 to E-6 would be called Mr literally when I was in A school the Petty Officer in charge of my barracks was named Mister- and so it was literally Mr Mister (like the band of the same time) Usually all E-7,8 and 9's are referred to as Chiefs.


I had a weird tour in the Navy, shore duty in a training squadron, - we were not required to do officer on deck when an office enter our space unless they were LT Commander/Major and above.

Well, let me tell ya, in the Air Force, being of superior class, dignity and BS, we referred to Officers in the AF by rank. Enlisted by Sarge, or airman. Other branches were referred to as minions unless they were brass and they were afforded the complimentary "sir". LOL. Brothers and Sisters. We actually referred to any officer by their rank, and enlisted by either Sargeant or Airman. When it came to other branches Officers by rank except sometimes a young airman may not have been aware of the difference between Ensign and 2nd LT. Enlisted were referred to as Seargent, Corporal, Private. I did find out that the senior NCO's in the Army were much happier if you referred to them as Sgt Major or First Sgt. I had little interaction with Marines and Navy

The correct answer, use their rank. However, some may disagree but if you dont know their rank (because we all have different titles) you could Sir it out and let them correct you or just ask how can I address you. Easy day.

You call them by their rank unless they are warrant officer or above... Recruits are taught to say sir and ma'am only to pound it into their heads... You would be surprised at how many kids were never taught those words. Once they become Marines, that all changes, even in the last week of recruit training.

Only in boot camp is it sir or ma'am. Also in the corps an NCO is e4 and e5 while e6-e9 are staff NCO or Snco

A quote from Lt. Col. "Bull" Meechum (The Great Santini): I want you to think of mm like... God.

What most of you fail to realize, is that this only happens in recruit training for Marines. Once that Marine graduates from recruit training, he/ she will call higher ranking Marines by their specific rank. PFC, Lance Corporal, Gunnery Sergeant... so on and so forth.

I had a terrible time in basic calling my drill sgt Sir.. Two reason .. One I am from the South and you call just about every one sir of ma.'am. 2 my dad was a WWII Marine .. I fumbled a lot but got it right.

big difference in boot vs in "the fleet" NCO's sort of act as surrogate Officers to help get recruits get used to recognizing rank and saluting.

Some people take it wrong if you call someone sir. I made a MISTAKE BY CALLING A NAVY CHIEF SIR AND BOY DID I GET IT WITH BOTH BARRELLS

Army= Sar'nt
USMC= full rank
Navy= chief
Air Force= hey dude.

Some interesting and funny stories on here....

Well hey are sing the sir or madam bacause they are recruits in boot camp. LOWEST of he low until you earn he title. once you get to fleet then per rank. SGt. SSgt. GUnny. TOp. Depends on the nco