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

Well sir if you don't correct him like others have said you will be making a new standard an that is not what the army is all about of if you feel uncomfortable correcting that soldier then find that soldiers NCO because it's thats NCOS job to inforce standards in the military even if thats not that soldier direct supervisor it's called General Military authority.

Damn straight he should be corrected. Being on or off duty does not change your or his rank and the customs and courtesies of the service should be maintained. Would you expect a Major to address a general officer with "hey Man" if they met in the bowling alley? If you and he regularly socialize, which you shouldn't, and you allow him to call you by your first name it should only be in private and never in a public setting. The correction should take place in private out of the public view and should be done as a reminder, not as a rebuke (the first time).

Damn straight he should be corrected. In or out of uniform, customs and courtesy of the service should be maintained. Just because you aren't aboard the base doesn't change your or his rank. Would you expect a captain to say hey man to a general if you met in a bowling alley? If you regularly socialize, which you shouldn't, and you give him a pass to call you by your first name that privilege should only apply when you and he are in private situations not in public.

You should correct him, you’re not friends, and plus the rank there’s matters when you are talking to superior. Or get and NCO smoke him for you.

Coming from a former USAF E-4, the only answer to this is YES. I believe that HOW you do it, will be the key thing, however, yes, it needs be done. Good luck, Sir!

Dam right correct him. He should never get away with saying that to a Staff NCO much less an Officer. Soon he will quit saluting. . . the sign of respect between an Officer and Enlisted personnel.

My First Question is does he Know you are a Officer?

my Second Question is are you in a Friendly area?

if he calls you sir is he Putting You and himself in danger?

If the Answer to the First Question is No,
then you can Politely Correct him, if doing so does not put you or him in danger.

if the Answer to the First And Second Question Is Yes, Then you have two options,

1st) you can Politely correct him, if doing so does not put you in danger,

2) you could Light Him Up, At Work, First thing after Morning Colors, With his Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Sergeant First Class, Master Sergeant, First Sergeant, Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major, Sergeant Major of the Army if he is Available. Light up his World, send a message thought-out the base. this will no longer be Tolerated. why have so many in his command there ? simple it sends a clear and strong message , this will not be Tolerated.

why so many SSG from his command? Simple , more the merrier, after they are done dressing him down and Lighting Him up, let him spread the word though out the base, that the command Is not, WILL NOT Tolerating Disrespect though out the ranks.

let him tell everyone that they will give the proper greeting of the day on or off base! Tell everyone That they must take pride in there uniform appearance! and in doing there job! take Pride in being in Military service!

everyone will and Must show it by taking pride in themselves, in there uniform Appearance, they will help there Fellow Solders, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guard's Men & Women .
this is where Pride Starts, in Uniform Appearance, in taking Pride in one self , in ones services, to Country, This is why there is Little To no Bigotry, Racism, Fascism, Sexism in the united States Military service, if and when any of this is found it is Thoroughly Investigated, the Individual, or Individuals who are accused are given there rights, if convicted, they are Arrested and placed in Prison. the TRIAL IS PUBLIC SO EVERY SINGLE MILTARY MEMBER CAN SEE WHY YOU DO NOT DO THESE CRIMES. I know I Digressed A bit Sorry .

YES u should have corrected not only this person but anyone else that u out rank. hey is a sign of disrespect.

SFC O'Mally et al nailed it. If you are a senior ranking officer/NCO and you recognize the individual as such, than you address him/her as "Sir", "SGT", "PO" or "Gunny", depending on the branch. Conversely, it is up to all officers and NCOs to dress, groom and present themselves accordingly when in public. As an officer when I was off duty I knew that it was hypocritical for me to expect the respect of airmen if I didn't warrent it. It may have changed in the past 50 years, but AFM 100-45 would have had the answer here and it was found under "Leadership.

Absolutely! Even when I was in Nam and still continued to be an anti war thorn in the side for the Seabees I still showed respect for those who deserved it but always said sir to an officer. That's what you do, for normal politeness and respect! That boy needs to be straightened out.
Bill Culotta