When an E-4 calls me "hey" or "hey man" knowing that I am an officer, should I bother to correct him?

Is there no common sense in the Military any more? As an officer it is your duty to correct him and correct him harshly.

How “outside work” are we talking? I have heard “it’s just Chris when we’re in civvies” more times than I can count. If this was in line at Starbean and Leaf, I can’t see a reason why it’s a behavior that needs to be corrected, albeit if you want to discuss in a professional way with him about what your expectations are I also don’t see a reason why that conversation shouldn’t be had, sir.

I'd see a difference if you were NG or Reserve. But, if on active duty, your rank deserves the respect.

Having an issue here - As an officer how were you commissioned and why are you even asking this question? You should already know what to do. Even if your E-4 is a relative - you need to keep it professional if you wish to be perceived as such.

Absolutely Sir! The behavior you allow is the behavior you shall receive. You should also reflect if you and/or your NCO’s are fostering an environment where the troops may believe this is ok. It is NOT!

Lighten up, as long as no disrespect especially in the reserves. Companies and platoons are like families and certainly don’t want any BS deployed or down range. Even in a relaxed setting call the 1st SGT, Top. If above the company level then formal approach. Anyone says differently is a …

I would recomend a quiet correction in this describe case. Not knowing all the details, I would suggest pulling him aside and telling him that :hey man," is not appropriate,
You have to ask yourself tho, if you might be at fault.
What type of location? Were you in a bar? Would you really want your rank called out there?

As an E-4 I had called out to one of my sargents. "Sargent", Sargent {his name} Elevated volume...no response. It being important I yelled out his first name. He snapped around and I was able to tell him what I needed to. The CSM, unfortunately also saw the exchanged. It wasn't me chewed out, but he did pull the sarget aside to address the correction.
I had another Staff Sargent, same thing. We had two Sgt Smiths, SFG and SGT. I called out "Sgt Smith", Louder "Sargent First Class Smith" then ADAM!. He turned and started to chew me out about it being inappropriate for me to call to him like that, in uniform. When he had his say, I hasked him how I should have handled it, seeing as he handn't responded when I addressed him correctly.
He agreed, and apologised. He was having personal issues and was too lost in thought to hear what was going on around him.
So like I said, make sure you are not at fault, before making an issue out of it. Quiet corrections are easier, than making a show out of it, unless of course it is part of a larger problem.

Yes, you correct him, you don't have to be impolite or demeaning just make him aware that it's inappropriate

Yes, you correct him, you don't have to be impolite or demeaning just make him aware that it's inappropriate

This keeps popping up so I will finally comment. I lived on post with junior enlisted across the street as neighbors and the lives of officers and enlisted intermingle more than ever in our nation's military history. We cannot escape to an o-club or officers mess and really there is a time and place to hammer down and a time and place to not be Patton ordering joes to storm a machine gun nest. I always have enjoyed my time in the gym locker room as no one knew I was an officer and I could just listen to joes. I think it is easier to learn what goes on in their lives when just a regular joe and as an officer, you are expected to know your soldiers. The higher you go in rank the more you need to listen and dictate less. If he is relaxed enough outside work to say hey man, maybe he will be relaxed enough to tell you when his girl left him, vehicle broke down, platoon sgt unfairly riding his ass. Being a bit relaxed never takes away your rank or your position and you might just find out something important about your unit.