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.
Posted in these groups: 
Customs and Courtesies
Customs and Courtesies
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 935
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I think it depends on "outside of work" means. If off duty at a bar off base, it's probably wise to let him speak that way. In uniform or anytime on base, it should be "sir". My humble opinion.
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No Specialist should be calling any Soldier with the rank of SGT or above "Hey Man"..... if he or she knows who you are. Unacceptable...period. This is a clear breakdown in military discipline.
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When in or out of uniform the specialist should give you the same courtesy that you would give a superior officer.
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It's really up to you, you are the one who will be disrespected; and he/she will be the one chewed up if he does it in front of a Senior NCO. It's a no brainer man. SFC Retired.
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LOL, YES! How things have changed. When I was a SP4, there was one Saturday, off-duty, we were paired with my Platoon Leader as a foursome on the post golf course. This happened completely by accident. Thoughout the day, we constantly called him "LT". Finally he responded, "Will you just call me Gary?" and out answer was, "OK, LT" and we proceeded to call him LT throughout the day. Why, he earned that rank...and our respect.
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I had to have this conversation with someone in theater about how to behave in the presence of an O-6 and above. Now, I was quite casual as a CW3, as was my O-4 OIC, but lower enlisted still need to recognize customs and courtesies.
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Is this really a question? If I were to see/hear this and the officer didn't make an on the spot correction, I'd be all in that E-4s sh-t about it. But then again I am from a different time maybe...
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Correct them in private so you do NOT tear them up too severely.
If he does again, take him aside and warn him that some officers are quick to tear you down in front of everyone and set you for failure-I am going to set you up for success...as an officer, that is your goal: Set your men and women up for success and he may have been not thinking, but just ask him next time and SET THEM FOR SUCCESS!
If he does again, take him aside and warn him that some officers are quick to tear you down in front of everyone and set you for failure-I am going to set you up for success...as an officer, that is your goal: Set your men and women up for success and he may have been not thinking, but just ask him next time and SET THEM FOR SUCCESS!
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PFC Pamala (Hall ) Foster
I am living my dream now by becoming a Real Estate Paralegal in 2024 and this would not have been possible if a few NCOs and a set of officers hadn't taken time to mentor me after injuries and set me for success by giving me Administrative duties. Feels strange to say that remembering them is pushing me through my courses in Constitutional Law, Real Estate, Civil, Criminal with training in litigation and Corporate Law. Also, I remember one lesson that a Capt. taught me: NEVER give up because you are possibly the difference between being an idiot and setting someone for a direct course to failure or the person to give a hand up and pay forward. Just glad they set me for success and I am rising up higher than I though possible.
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