When you are texting a higher rank, do you type out their rank?

2021-03-02T20:02:19-05:00

Just struggling with the concept of texting “Sgt” or “sfc. “ i have had NCO’s tell me not to

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2021 8:54 PM

2021-03-02T20:54:35-05:00

Like with any correspondence you should start it out with addressing them by their rank. You don't need to use it over and over in every single text sent back and forth during the conversation. That's just extra. But definitely open the conversation with addressing them by their rank

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2021 12:25 AM

2021-03-03T00:25:59-05:00

I use their rank abbreviation. Always. But, that's just me.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 3 at 2021 4:03 PM

2021-03-03T16:03:39-05:00

I would start out with the correct form of address. You can use the common Service abbreviations for the rank, such as CPT Jones or SFC Smith. After than continue your text. If you happen to be in a joint service organization, make sure to use the proper Service abbreviation for the person to whom you're texting.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Mar 3 at 2021 8:23 PM

2021-03-03T20:23:46-05:00

I think I would out of respect for their rank even if they told me not to. When I contacted the Colonel of the JROTC program at the school I teach at I always Started with "Colonel Johnson" even though he wanted me to just call him Mike. The military code was too ingrained in me not to. I felt like I was being disrespectful.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 4 at 2021 10:53 AM

2021-03-04T10:53:43-05:00

Generally speaking, think of the text the same as an e-mail, without the signature block.

Begin with a proper salutation (SGT, Sir, Ma'am, CSM, SFC Jones, CPT Smith, etc.). Note that proper salutation IS somewhat affected by familiarity and by frequency of contact. I would send an e-mail to my PL or CO who knew me and what I was a bout with a simple "Sir / Ma'am," but sending one to JAG who didn't know me from Adam would be "CPT Smith." If it is an e-mail chain back and forth between me and the S3 SGM, once the SGM drops the salutation and just replies back with a "Sounds good" I can drop the salutation and reply back with a "Thanks, SGM" (But I still toss that SGM in there....) etc.

In the body of the text, if it is long, throw in a Sir/Ma'am/SFC/1SG/etc. in there every now and then. Not every sentence or anything, just enough to remind YOURSELF of who you are talking to and keep it professional. If it is, instead, a series of texts, try to include an address in each text that is a sentence or more, whether that is a salutation or incorporated into the sentence. and definitely at what (you believe) is the conclusion of the conversation - "WILCO, SFC." "Thanks, 1SG." Etc.

Remember that, as a rule of thumb, too much respect is better than not enough. But don't go overboard to the point that it hampers conversation or productivity.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2021 1:13 PM

2021-03-04T13:13:28-05:00

There's nothing wrong with addressing anyone by their rank. Ever. Whenever it's a first interaction, I type out rank. But, for example in our NCO group chat for NCOICs, there's a MSG in there. We don't throw out MSG every single time. And then ranges from SFC - SGT in the chat.

When I had a section with soldiers, I didn't expect them to use SFC to me every single time. Most of the time when someone comes in my office now who is junior ranking if they stand at parade rest, I tell them to relax. Everyone is different.

You really can't go wrong with using someone's rank. If someone gets mad about it, they have issues.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Mar 4 at 2021 1:43 PM

2021-03-04T13:43:52-05:00

You can't wrong if you decide to type it out, but rank abbreviation will get you by 99.99% of the time. There is always that one person out there who goes atomic because you didn't spell out their rank in full.