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I am going to beak it down for everyone how to address these spacific individuals: If a Master Sergeant has the diamond he is a First Sergeant and addressed as such or TOP because he is the highest enlisted Soldier in your unit. If there is a Master Sergeant without a Diamond they are addressed as Sergeant (not MSG, only if you are talking to someone else and specifying them by rank held). If there is a Sergeant First Class and they are acting as a First Sergeant they are addressed and Sergeant, not First Sergeant because they do not hold that specific rank, also acceptable for SFC is TOP because he is the highest enlisted Soldier in your unit if they are acting in that position. This Military Customs and Courtesies class is complete.
Posted in these groups: 
1SG
1SG
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 62
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Thank goodness I was navy. I don't think there's any way I'd remember all those exceptions.
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CMDCM Gene Treants
As a Navy Command Master Chief, I am addressed simply as Master Chief by other Sailors. Teh same holds true for a Command Senior or Command Chief. We try to keep our address a little simpler.
When addressing Petty Officers, it is simply Petty Officer Hicks, almost never would we SAY Petty Officer Third Class Hicks or Complicatate it by including the Petty officer's speciality in verbal address. But what is easy for Navy might be harder for our Sister Services.
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This is good professional development! I like the Air Force method of call everyone by their rank, and 1SG being a position more than a rank, they have 3 grades of 1SG if memory serves.<br>
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1SG Shane Hansen
Sir, I think the problem is that in AR 600-20 it lists 1SG as a rank and then it also lists it as a position in the NCO support channel paragraph.
I read it to say if they are wearing the rank of 1SG then their title of address is "first sergeant". If they are a SFC serving in a first sergeant position then they should be addressed as "sergeant". Why, because we are required by table 1-1 to address them as such. We are not supposed to address someone by their position, but by their proper title of address listed in that table. I do not address my Platoon Sergeant or Squad Leader by their position. I call them "sergeant". It could be simple (like the Air Force as you say), but there is some grey area that needs clarification in AR 600-20.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
1SG Hansen
THANK YOU for making this decipherable. I was sincerely confused by all of these comments until I came upon your comment here.
*Let me add that as a SSG, I won't fight a senior NCO who tells me to call him 1SG even if he is a SFC or a MSG.
"Roger that FIRST SERGEANT!"
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Maj Chris Nelson
Lt Hooser, you are correct. Master Sergeant (E-7), Senior Master Sergeant (E-8), and Chief Master Sergeant (E-9) may all be diamond wearing 1SG. As in the Army, they must go through a course to become 1SG and they wear the diamond as long as they are in a 1SG position.
As to calling everyone by their rank in the AF.... I generally don't call a Tech Sergeant (TSGT/E-6) by that. It is simply Sgt, much like the Army.
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I had a SFC for a 1SG while deployed (wasn't even frocked) and he chewed us out left and right when we didn't address him as 1SG. Sad part was we were technically a detachment combined with a NG unit to create a makeshift Battery down range. Our UIC was the same as the unit we deployed from stateside, we deployed a platoon+. The actual 1SG and commander were back in the rear and a captain and a SFC created their positions downrange. So I technically had two. He was rated as a 1SG too....
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SFC Michael Boulanger
An SFC can only be frocked to MSG if they are promotable which means thet have been boarded and are awaiting orders. They make E7 pay until being promoted to E8. If they leave the position for some reason before getting promotion orders then they go back to SFC until reciept of orders for MSG.
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SFC Gary Fox
An SFC(P) can be frocked to 1SG according to AR 614-200:
8–24. Frocking of sergeant first class promotable to first sergeant
a. SFC(P) who are assigned to an authorized 1SG position may wear the grade of 1SG.
b. Commanders (LTC and above) may authorize and approve frocking of SFC(P) to be assigned as 1SG within their
command.
c. Frocking will not be approved to provide an interim fill for a 1SG position.
d. Frocking will not be accomplished until assumption of duties as a 1SG.
e. Identification cards, official records (ERB) will not be changed to show a frocked grade.
f. Frocking may be announced by using an informal memorandum.
g. Soldiers who have been frocked as 1SG, subsequently promoted to MSG, and reassigned will retain the grade of
1SG or be laterally appointed to MSG.
8–24. Frocking of sergeant first class promotable to first sergeant
a. SFC(P) who are assigned to an authorized 1SG position may wear the grade of 1SG.
b. Commanders (LTC and above) may authorize and approve frocking of SFC(P) to be assigned as 1SG within their
command.
c. Frocking will not be approved to provide an interim fill for a 1SG position.
d. Frocking will not be accomplished until assumption of duties as a 1SG.
e. Identification cards, official records (ERB) will not be changed to show a frocked grade.
f. Frocking may be announced by using an informal memorandum.
g. Soldiers who have been frocked as 1SG, subsequently promoted to MSG, and reassigned will retain the grade of
1SG or be laterally appointed to MSG.
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A word to the wise... in a a joint command, or when visiting a Marine command, Army practice is not Marine Practice. Use of "Sergeant" by itself for an E-6 or senior, at a minimum, is going to get you the stink eye. Marine version of addressing Marine SNCO's and NCO's (at least it was 24 years ago)
Pay Grade E-9
Formal - Sergeant Major, Informal - Sergeant Major
Formal - Master Gunnery Sergeant, Informal - Master Guns or Top (be real careful that she/he considers you part of the inner circle. Never in front of someone outside the unit )
Pay Grade E-8
Formal - First Sergeant, Informal - First Sergeant
Formal - Master Sergeant, Informal - Top (be real careful that she/he considers you part of the inner circle. Never in front of someone outside the unit )
Pay Grade E-7
Formal - Gunnery Sergeant, Informal - Gunny (Never in front of someone outside the unit.)
Pay Grade E-6
Formal - Staff Sergeant, Informal - Staff (Never in front of someone outside the unit.)
Pay Grade E-5
Formal - Sergeant, Informal - Sergeant, Looking for a thumping - Sarge
Pay Grade E-9
Formal - Sergeant Major, Informal - Sergeant Major
Formal - Master Gunnery Sergeant, Informal - Master Guns or Top (be real careful that she/he considers you part of the inner circle. Never in front of someone outside the unit )
Pay Grade E-8
Formal - First Sergeant, Informal - First Sergeant
Formal - Master Sergeant, Informal - Top (be real careful that she/he considers you part of the inner circle. Never in front of someone outside the unit )
Pay Grade E-7
Formal - Gunnery Sergeant, Informal - Gunny (Never in front of someone outside the unit.)
Pay Grade E-6
Formal - Staff Sergeant, Informal - Staff (Never in front of someone outside the unit.)
Pay Grade E-5
Formal - Sergeant, Informal - Sergeant, Looking for a thumping - Sarge
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Ask what they are doing by. They know then go from there. But you have to assume until then.
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As a SFC I served in both a First Sergeant position and then a Sergeant Major position. While serving in the First Sergeant position, the company commander and platoon leaders called me "First Sergeant." The Battalion Sergeant Major and the Brigade Sergeant Major called me "Top." While serving in a Battalion Sergeant Major position for 8 months, my Battalion Commander and everybody else always called me "Sergeant Major" except for the Brigade Sergeant Major who called me "Top."
When I was put in both those positions (in the same brigade), the Brigade Sergeant Major told me, "You are where you sit and there's no acting about it. You are expected to live up to the responsibilities."
When I was put in both those positions (in the same brigade), the Brigade Sergeant Major told me, "You are where you sit and there's no acting about it. You are expected to live up to the responsibilities."
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My thoughts are if you have the rank of First Sergeant you should be called 1SG. If not the title of Top (as in top NCO) would be appropriate. Those who get upset about not being called a rank they are not need to put their egos to the side.
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Oh - as a retired first sergeant I would recommend not addressing a first sergeant as top unless you know him or her very well
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Even simpler still - if the person is wearing three up, three down and a diamond in the middle that individual is addressed as first sergeant. Period, end of discussion
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Totally agree. Had an acting 1SG in Iraq we were both SFC at the time and he was going around telling the unit they had to call him 1SG. I explained to him he's not a 1SG whether acting or not. Although referring to him as top could be appropriate 1SG was not. The idiot went to the SGM to complain and was promptly shown the door while being told to get off his power trip. 2 days later I was told I would be the new acting 1SG.
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I called all my 1SGs "Top" from PVT to SFC where I am today... Mostly, I built a special relationship with them to do so. Whether it was having personal footprints in his office, or my awesome cadence calling, I only addressed them as such after I've gotten to know them.
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I suggest that SFC Boulanger do some more research. TOP is an acronym that dates back to the 1850's and stand for Trainer of Personnel and was bestowed upon the Regimental CSM
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I served in an official paragraph and line number First Sergeant Position in accordance with the Table of Distribution and Allowances (TDA) for a year and a half. I speak from firsthand experience when I say how the United States Army addresses Enlisted Soldiers is often relative to their Chain of Command and Non-Commissioned Officer Support Channel.
My Command Sergeant Major was located at our Headquarters 360 miles away from our Troop Medical Clinic. The Company Commander and the Command Sergeant Major would spend long periods of time on the phone with one another. The Company Commander would often fly up commercially and spend weekends and leave with the Command Sergeant Major.
I can go on and on while regretfully many of us have been done dirty while I simply wanted to set the stage of me having served in a First Sergeant Position as a Sergeant First Class. Let me make it clear that AR 600-20 Army Command Policy clearly stipulates how to properly address United States Army Ranks whereas no one is required to address a Staff Sergeant, Sergeant First Class, or Master Sergeant utilizing any other title than Sergeant.
The term Top is unofficial, but quite often depends on the leadership's tolerance of such while normally not just everyone is permitted to address a First Sergeant in this manner. This term is normally at the First Sergeants will and pleasure unless it is the Command Sergeant Major, Company Commander or a senior ranking officer addresses him or her as such. As a Sergeant First Class in a First Sergeant position I was addressed as "First Sergeant", "Sergeant", and "Top"!
Private (PVT/E-1), Private Two (PV2/E-2), Private First Class (PFC/E-3) are all addressed as "Private".
Specialist (SPC/E-4), (not a Non-Commissioned Officer) are addressed as "Specialist".
Corporal (CPL/E-4) are addressed as "Corporal" while this is the first time in the enlisted rank structure that the Soldier is considered a Non-Commissioned Officer in spite of them not yet receiving official Non-Commissioned Officer Evaluation Reports.
Sergeant (SGT/E-5), Staff Sergeant (SSG/E-6), Sergeant First Class (SFC/E-7), Master Sergeant (MSG/E-8) are addressed as "Sergeant" with a couple exceptions such as "Drill Sergeant", Senior Drill Sergeant", "Gunner" and "Smoke".
First Sergeant (1SG/E-8) addressed as "First Sergeant".
Sergeant Major (SGM/E-9) and Command Sergeant Major (CSM/E-9) addressed as "Sergeant Major"
NOTE:
When addressing or identifying one's self officially on the phone it is most appropriate to use full rank. If a third party refers to a Soldier such as in an award ceremony it is most appropriate to refer to their entire rank in this instance as well.
NOTE:
If your respective branch of services addresses all service members by their full rank such as marines do they should not be encouraged to discontinue addressing United States Army Soldiers by their full rank. There are too many POS E-1’s through E-9’s who correct Sailor’s, Marines and others who address United States Army Staff Sergeants, Sergeants First Class, and Master Sergeants by their full rank. Those POS's who are often POG's are no more than oxygen thieves only encouraging disrespect and making our Soldiers look like dirt bag's! If you are one of these rank mongers who believe that you are better than any service member you outrank you have lost sight of the fact that our rank does not define us. If the shoe fit's wear it and let me add that Sergeant First Class through Command Sergeant Major are all Senior Noncommissioned Officer's worthy of the same level of respect and honors bestowed upon our most senior enlisted members throughout all branches of service.
At some point our most senior enlisted members will step up to the plate and put the backbone back into our Non-Commissioned Officer Corps!
My Command Sergeant Major was located at our Headquarters 360 miles away from our Troop Medical Clinic. The Company Commander and the Command Sergeant Major would spend long periods of time on the phone with one another. The Company Commander would often fly up commercially and spend weekends and leave with the Command Sergeant Major.
I can go on and on while regretfully many of us have been done dirty while I simply wanted to set the stage of me having served in a First Sergeant Position as a Sergeant First Class. Let me make it clear that AR 600-20 Army Command Policy clearly stipulates how to properly address United States Army Ranks whereas no one is required to address a Staff Sergeant, Sergeant First Class, or Master Sergeant utilizing any other title than Sergeant.
The term Top is unofficial, but quite often depends on the leadership's tolerance of such while normally not just everyone is permitted to address a First Sergeant in this manner. This term is normally at the First Sergeants will and pleasure unless it is the Command Sergeant Major, Company Commander or a senior ranking officer addresses him or her as such. As a Sergeant First Class in a First Sergeant position I was addressed as "First Sergeant", "Sergeant", and "Top"!
Private (PVT/E-1), Private Two (PV2/E-2), Private First Class (PFC/E-3) are all addressed as "Private".
Specialist (SPC/E-4), (not a Non-Commissioned Officer) are addressed as "Specialist".
Corporal (CPL/E-4) are addressed as "Corporal" while this is the first time in the enlisted rank structure that the Soldier is considered a Non-Commissioned Officer in spite of them not yet receiving official Non-Commissioned Officer Evaluation Reports.
Sergeant (SGT/E-5), Staff Sergeant (SSG/E-6), Sergeant First Class (SFC/E-7), Master Sergeant (MSG/E-8) are addressed as "Sergeant" with a couple exceptions such as "Drill Sergeant", Senior Drill Sergeant", "Gunner" and "Smoke".
First Sergeant (1SG/E-8) addressed as "First Sergeant".
Sergeant Major (SGM/E-9) and Command Sergeant Major (CSM/E-9) addressed as "Sergeant Major"
NOTE:
When addressing or identifying one's self officially on the phone it is most appropriate to use full rank. If a third party refers to a Soldier such as in an award ceremony it is most appropriate to refer to their entire rank in this instance as well.
NOTE:
If your respective branch of services addresses all service members by their full rank such as marines do they should not be encouraged to discontinue addressing United States Army Soldiers by their full rank. There are too many POS E-1’s through E-9’s who correct Sailor’s, Marines and others who address United States Army Staff Sergeants, Sergeants First Class, and Master Sergeants by their full rank. Those POS's who are often POG's are no more than oxygen thieves only encouraging disrespect and making our Soldiers look like dirt bag's! If you are one of these rank mongers who believe that you are better than any service member you outrank you have lost sight of the fact that our rank does not define us. If the shoe fit's wear it and let me add that Sergeant First Class through Command Sergeant Major are all Senior Noncommissioned Officer's worthy of the same level of respect and honors bestowed upon our most senior enlisted members throughout all branches of service.
At some point our most senior enlisted members will step up to the plate and put the backbone back into our Non-Commissioned Officer Corps!
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Hmm I guess the 6 months that I spent as the HHB First Sergeant all the troops were wrong in calling me that. Might have something to do with them screwing my barracks up really bad and then moving on to the Basketball courts with all furniture in February at FT. Carson. You know after a month with all the extra duties fire guard, security, ect they never tried me again. I never asked them too but all of them called me First Sergeant and a couple that I still see on occasion still do.
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1SG Michael Blount
SFC Douglas Davis - it's great your Soldiers think you're 1SG material, but do them and yourself a favor and correct that nonsense when/where you can. It's a bad habit for them to fall into.
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SFC Douglas Davis
I don't think my response posted these soldiers I mentioned are former soldiers. I have been retired for nearly 18 years. To have them remember me in such a way makes me feel
Like I did it right. They are simply remembering me as what I was to them a role model.
Like I did it right. They are simply remembering me as what I was to them a role model.
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"Do I look like I spin on my head?"
1SG Terry Wrona upon being called "Top." lol
1SG Terry Wrona upon being called "Top." lol
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Know this post is a little old but I wanted to add a little scenario that happened to me recently. Before I say what happens t just want to add that this person in the most toxic leader I have personally encountered in my 10 years in the Army.
I walked into the MSG's office and said " excuse my sergeant have they put out what time close out formation is today". One hour later I was being read a 4856 for disrespect to a Senior NCO for not addressing him by MSG. When I informed him what the regulation says about the subject, he enlightened me by saying " eagles and chickens do different things, I'm an eagle and my work requires me to be addressed by my rank".
I brought this up in a impromptu sensing session with a SGM and was told that you can add to the regulation but you can't take away.
I don't understand how the Army has not figured out a way to identify this kind of ignorance and hold Soldiers accountable for their actions. I firmly believe that by time you make it to the senior ranks and you have not figured out leadership, and your using your rank as a weapon, reprimand should be swift and fitting of the responsibility you have been given and are getting paid to do.
I walked into the MSG's office and said " excuse my sergeant have they put out what time close out formation is today". One hour later I was being read a 4856 for disrespect to a Senior NCO for not addressing him by MSG. When I informed him what the regulation says about the subject, he enlightened me by saying " eagles and chickens do different things, I'm an eagle and my work requires me to be addressed by my rank".
I brought this up in a impromptu sensing session with a SGM and was told that you can add to the regulation but you can't take away.
I don't understand how the Army has not figured out a way to identify this kind of ignorance and hold Soldiers accountable for their actions. I firmly believe that by time you make it to the senior ranks and you have not figured out leadership, and your using your rank as a weapon, reprimand should be swift and fitting of the responsibility you have been given and are getting paid to do.
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I served as a Detachment Sergeant for 18 months. My unit was a mixture of military and civilians and everyone in the detachment called me Sergeant, not 1SG. The only person that called me 1SG was the Bn CSM. I didn't like being called 1SG because that wasn't my job. I was the Detachment NCOIC sure, but the 1SG, not such much.
A 1SG in my mind is the top NCO in the Company serving in the position of advising the Commander on enlisted issues. In addition the 1SG keeps the Commander out of hot water and brings the hammer down on Soldiers when they screw up.
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Im curious as to the 2 1SG's and MSG who gave you a thumbs down and why? Is that not correct?
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1SG (Join to see)
I never had a problem being called TOP by the NCO's in my company. On the other hand it was not an option for an other NCO or trooper. But it's a call to be made by you as the 1sg I have worked for both kinds some good some bad. Just never use TOP as the first way you address a new 1sg. It's kind of like (p) being put next to your rank. It's not a rank and some unit's use it and some will not tolerate it's use at all.
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So much easier in the Marine Corps everyone is addressed by their full rank although Top can be used for a MSgt and of course Gunny for a Gunnery Sergeant. Calling all E-5s and above Sgt would confuse everyone.
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