Posted on Jul 12, 2021
Why do so many MSGs insist on being addressed as Master Sergeant?
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AR 600-20 is clear. The title of address for a MSG is "Sergeant." My personal opinion is that the majority of MSGs that insist on it do so because of their ego. The remainder is just ignorance.
EDIT: There have been a lot of responses from folks of various services, so let me make it clear (if it wasn't already) that this question pertains to Master Sergeants in the United States Army. I don't hold any grudge with people who address them as "Master Sergeant" out of respect. I usually just make a gentle correction and move on. My question SPECIFICALLY addresses those individuals who (presumably knowing better) INSIST on being addressed in a manner that is out of line with regulation and what their motivation could be for doing so. Many responses are some variation of "They've earned it" but that doesn't hold much water with me. By the time an NCO makes MSG, they should be secure enough in their career and position to not need constant affirmation of their rank.
EDIT: There have been a lot of responses from folks of various services, so let me make it clear (if it wasn't already) that this question pertains to Master Sergeants in the United States Army. I don't hold any grudge with people who address them as "Master Sergeant" out of respect. I usually just make a gentle correction and move on. My question SPECIFICALLY addresses those individuals who (presumably knowing better) INSIST on being addressed in a manner that is out of line with regulation and what their motivation could be for doing so. Many responses are some variation of "They've earned it" but that doesn't hold much water with me. By the time an NCO makes MSG, they should be secure enough in their career and position to not need constant affirmation of their rank.
Army Regulations
Customs and Courtesies
NCOs
MSG
Edited 4 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 307
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I always called MSG: master sergeant. Kind of like I called 1SG first sergeant and SGM sergeant major. Respect for the rank they earned.
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SGM (Join to see)
Did you call SGM by their proper titles, "Staff Sergeant Major" and "Command Sergeant Major"? When I wore either one of those ranks, I would have corrected you (privately, of course) on it.
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Master Sergeant is what it should be , Sergeant is ok both are correct. I’ve never cared which was used but I never demanded. There are a lot of NCOs with egos that need that reassurance for themselves.
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The people who had a problem calling master sergeants by their rank and are seniors. You guys should be ashamed of yourselves. Instead of bashing the MSG. How about recommending to SMA that the Army does like other branches and change their policy to call everyone by their specific rank. You clowns call corporals, and specialists by their rank. But have a problem calling a MSG by his rank. You are the ones with the egos.
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CSM David Porterfield
No one is bashing the MSG themselves or their rank itself. The regs say Sergeant but some want to be called Master Sergeant instead. Soldiers want clarification no need to call people clowns Sergeant Major. You are correct the SMA should chime in on how to address enlisted Soldiers. As CSM's our job is (was) to enforce the regulations not write them. Yes, it should be addressed and clarified.
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CSM Colin Patterson
I see a lot of Egotistical and juvenile comments such as soldiers in recruiting call MSG top, i call them Sergeant just to piss them off etc. Those comments i don’t expect from leaders. What i expect from leaders is an illustration of critical think skills offering solutions. I was a MSG and a 1SG and didn’t care what i was called because i knew what my pay grade was and what my biweekly pay was. However, i believe that MSG earned the right to be called by their rank and a recommendation should be made to the SMA to make that change. I am no longer serving on the outside looking in. I see lots of changes to hair, earrings etc. i also see them relooking at how height and weight is done and body fat content etc. i believe it’s time they change to calling everyone by their appropriate rank.
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MSG James Devereaux
That’s some awesome guidance! I don’t understand why “the 1SG” takes issue with respecting a soldier that has a rank equal to his. He probably wouldn’t have appreciated standing at parade rest for me but he would have till I told him to knock that shit off.
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I am pretty sure other branches do the same kind of stuff. AF and their TechSGT, Marines's and their GunnerySGT....I never had a problem with that when we did anything that involved dealing with other branches (it was mostly just amusing asking someone of the same grade in another branch to do it.) In the Army though it's pretty straightforward....and anyone who insists on being called Master Sergeant has some kind of inferiority complex.
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CPO Nate S.
Right, I worked with multiple services as well and until I committed each rank to sight recall memory, I would also ask just to be professional so I would address them appropriately if I did not know, but never once, except in a joking kind of way did anyone ever insist.
Sometimes I'd get confused in "mixed military company", early on, but those who were "leaders" ribbed me until I got it right. Typically, it was the USAF that gave me the most trouble, even though my dad had served in the USAF in the 50s/60s. Of course, I tell people this is why I joined - the USN. (LoL)
Besides, I did four years of USA ROTC in HS so by my Senior year I knew the regular army ranks without issue!!!
Just saying.............
Sometimes I'd get confused in "mixed military company", early on, but those who were "leaders" ribbed me until I got it right. Typically, it was the USAF that gave me the most trouble, even though my dad had served in the USAF in the 50s/60s. Of course, I tell people this is why I joined - the USN. (LoL)
Besides, I did four years of USA ROTC in HS so by my Senior year I knew the regular army ranks without issue!!!
Just saying.............
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SSGT was addressed by rank, Gunny was always that, not a one expected be addressed any differently, unless you were in the shit, then it was Gunnery Sgt, above that I always addressed by rank, except Master Sgt was Top, 1st Sgt by rank, SGT Major/ Master Gunnery obviously by rank. None had any ego is was just the way it was, they deserved the respect imo. One exception was our shop NCOIC was a MasterGuns and we called him Top.
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For what ever reason, my brain automatically makes me say Master Sergeant when I'm speaking with one.
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Of course, in some "communities," (e.g., CI), it could well be Bob or Sally. Go with whatever is appropriate.
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As a retired Air Force CMSgt, I responded to Chief. However, if someone called me Sergeant I didn’t respond in the negative. I was a Sgt for 16 years before putting Chief on.
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