Posted on Jun 25, 2021
When an E-4 calls me "hey" or "hey man" knowing that I am an officer, should I bother to correct him?
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This SPC calls me "hey man" outside work. I don't work with him directly; just happened to come across couple of times at work, and he did call me "sir". Not sure whether I should even bother to correct this SPC.
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 935
You are an officer and a gentleman in garrison/ field or even off duty. You don’t stop being an officer until you are in the grave. Hope this helps
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I'm shocked you felt you had to ask that question. As a captain, you should already know the answer to that.
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I'd say that's "Hey Lt." or whatever your rank is. He will get the message without thinking you are a hard ass. If it continues maybe formal counseling.
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Sir, All due respect. Yes, you need to actually put him at attention and remind him of his violation of not recognizing you as an officer and address you correctly in and out of uniform.
That SP4(E-4) is showing disrespect. To the rank AND person! That's why he or she is still an SP4 and probably most likely at the retention limit of his military career I would think.
That is what I see all the time in the military. The self-discipline and ethics have seemed to be lost.
Don't get me wrong, I have been retired since 1997. But, I am now at the end of my 25 years as a military defense contractor as well.I have continued to" Support the WARFIGHTER " in any way
I can.
But, I really hope that this issue is corrected.
Take care, sir.
My best to you
Jerry A. Chaparro Sr.
US Army Ret,
Defense Contractor
That SP4(E-4) is showing disrespect. To the rank AND person! That's why he or she is still an SP4 and probably most likely at the retention limit of his military career I would think.
That is what I see all the time in the military. The self-discipline and ethics have seemed to be lost.
Don't get me wrong, I have been retired since 1997. But, I am now at the end of my 25 years as a military defense contractor as well.I have continued to" Support the WARFIGHTER " in any way
I can.
But, I really hope that this issue is corrected.
Take care, sir.
My best to you
Jerry A. Chaparro Sr.
US Army Ret,
Defense Contractor
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I don't know what you two are doing outside of work together, so it's hard to say. Sir, I'm open, pass me the basketball? In that case, hey man is fine. I bowled with some Officers and Warrant Officers regularly, Hey Chief or hey Major, you're up, beer frame at that! That showed enough professionalism and courtesy for the situation from me. They usually addressed me by just my last name for ease of conversation while bowling. That was professional and courteous enough for me. Hey man, might have an appropriate place in time to use, sparingly.
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Also, you refer to off duty as outside work. Got news for you 24/7 in or out of uniforms, on or off base, you are in the Army. You don’t punch a clock you serve your country and so does the SPC.
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This SPC obviously has no military bearing or doesn’t care. He needs to be corrected. I know retired generals and CSM and would never address them in the familiar. We do not have that type of relationship and will maintain military bearing until they invite me to a more familiar relationship .
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Respect Respect. It doesn’t matter on or off duty. When I was in I was a soldier on and off duty. I addressed my superiors as Sir or Ma’am.
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