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
Sir, absolutely you should correct him and if it becomes and ongoing problem you should let his hardest E-5 Sgt know and if it doesn't correct from there charge him.
Sure, we all B.S. behind closed doors about officers and enlisted, but fact is no enlisted dude does what officers do.
I was a Marine for 8 years and army for 6.. OCS IS NO FUCKING JOKE!!!! IVE RAN BOTH COURSES and I've been privy to sit in on training with them.
Sir, correct his ass, if he doesn't you need to take it to highest degree because you earned your rank and your position without question... Even if your junior doesn't respect you they MUST RESPECT THE RANK ... Zero question, even if your a shitbag officer, (not saying you are) but that is ZERO REASON to disrespect what you have earned and accomplished. Specially by a fucking junior enlisted!!!
Sure, we all B.S. behind closed doors about officers and enlisted, but fact is no enlisted dude does what officers do.
I was a Marine for 8 years and army for 6.. OCS IS NO FUCKING JOKE!!!! IVE RAN BOTH COURSES and I've been privy to sit in on training with them.
Sir, correct his ass, if he doesn't you need to take it to highest degree because you earned your rank and your position without question... Even if your junior doesn't respect you they MUST RESPECT THE RANK ... Zero question, even if your a shitbag officer, (not saying you are) but that is ZERO REASON to disrespect what you have earned and accomplished. Specially by a fucking junior enlisted!!!
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The question is whether or not he seen you in uniform or known you are an officer. First time polite correction is warranted if he still continued the disrespect then a conversation with the SPC unit leadership is needed. Customs and courtesies have been undermined over the years. I worked with officers who were former enlisted often makes the best officers. If the SPC is outside chain of command not much can be done but it is up to his leadership to correct the behavior. I was combat arms and often trained with officers all the time . But I also learned that some people will always refuse to change certain behavior.
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We're you in uniform? Was it in a public setting? Was it an OPSEC not to reveal your identity?
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Put him in his place. Be brief and on point then dismiss. Since you asked, then you obviously are not his buddy so demand the respect if it makes you uncomfortable. He may not even realize he is out of line. (Kids these days)
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In 1995 I was stationed in Sinai, Egypt. I was walking down the street and walked by SGM and a full bird colonel. I acknowledged the SGM but I honestly didn’t see who was beside him. I was taken away by the SGM rank. As I walked by I heard the SGM say come here specialist. I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth. I hurried back to him and he said “Specialist Wells, did you not see the Colonel walking next to me?” I said no SGM I didn’t get past all your rank to even see who was with you. He replied “that’s a pretty good answer Specialist Wells, carry on.” Rank must be respected and acknowledged. You may not like the person, but you must respect the rank.
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Correct him. If you don't someone else will and they may not be as nice as you. This is the military. We work in a rank structured environment. Don't shirk your responsibility captain.
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I was taught to err to the side of caution. If someone appears to be older than you, the respect of Sir or Mam is not out of line. You may be correscted by a Staff NCO, but it is easier to explain better safe than sorry, and respect is good manners. Hey Maan is zero respect and shows a lack of dicipline.
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Would you do the same to your battalion or regimental commander? If not, why? Protocol works both ways.
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Respect is earned. If you don't demand their respect, you will never command their respect!
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Customs and Courtesies
