Posted on Jul 12, 2021
Why do so many MSGs insist on being addressed as Master Sergeant?
115K
1.74K
592
421
421
0
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
0
0
0
1SG, I was an NCO prior to moving to the Dark Side. I was intimately knowledgeable of the reg on titles. However, because an E8 received a rank of significance, I always called them MSG. Not a one demanded it, nor corrected me. If you made the spot correction on me I would laugh at you. Many more things for a 1SG to worry about than a fellow E8 being called by their rank. I agree with others, if you demanded I call you such, I would refer to the regulation and call them Sergeant. However, that never happened to me as enlisted or officer.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Ego is a strong driver. My son is a medical doctor. The head librarian here is a PhD and she demands to be addressed as doctor. Jill Biden is a PhD in teaching and she will go insane if you do not call her doctor. Insecurity and bed wetting makes these other "non-medical" doctors demand a recognition they never deserved. Whereas they will immediately tell you they are a "doctor" you could spend a day with my son and his peers and never know they were REAL doctors. It is the old "who you know vs who you bl@@. Those that know they do not deserve recognition yell the most for validation.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Over-inflated sense of self importance. Nothing to get wound up about. They can insist, but they can't force you.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Since this is purely an Army question, my comment is for information only. While it is permissive to shorten some ranks when addressing Marines, we pretty much use some form of the correct rank, out of custom and respect. For instance, a Staff Sergeant can be called "Sergeant" but it was rarely done, in my experience, but I am sure it has happened. From Gunnery Sergeant up, though, I have never heard one called just "sergeant" and I was in (active and reserve) from '65 to '06. Again, this is not to address Army policy, only for information.
(0)
(0)
CPO Nate S.
Typically, as a "Doc" I always called a USMC Staff Sgt as "Staff Sgt" or "Staff", I only ever referred to a Marine E5 as Sgt. Anything above E5 was what the rank name called for!
Of course, even as a Chief Marines called me "Doc" and that was OK, even for the <Chief, but many < Chief on the USMC side called me Chief, but Doc was always acceptable!
Of course, even as a Chief Marines called me "Doc" and that was OK, even for the <Chief, but many < Chief on the USMC side called me Chief, but Doc was always acceptable!
(1)
(0)
CWO4 Miles Weaver
CPO Nate S. - I can assure you, and I'm sure you realize, the term "Doc" to a Marine was one of affection and admiration. We loved our Corpsmen and did our best to take care of them, as they took care of us!
(0)
(0)
CPO Nate S.
CWO4 Miles Weaver - The mission was simple take care the Marines and they will take care of you! Besides I my current T-shirt that says:
"The Marines already have a few good - Navy Corpsman!"
In fact, a Marine bought it for me as gift when I was station on Okinawa work at 3rd Med (3rd FSSG) way back! It is old and yellow now, but one of the most precious things I own - the old T-shirt filled with sentiment and meaning most will never understand and a Navy Corpsman and their Marines!
Just saying...............
"The Marines already have a few good - Navy Corpsman!"
In fact, a Marine bought it for me as gift when I was station on Okinawa work at 3rd Med (3rd FSSG) way back! It is old and yellow now, but one of the most precious things I own - the old T-shirt filled with sentiment and meaning most will never understand and a Navy Corpsman and their Marines!
Just saying...............
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Where did my post go? How to delete this? So many questions, so little patience.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Ok, you garnered my attention! Let me ask you, are you still on active duty? I noticed your Profile photo has you as a SFC. Are you promotable or in and " acting jack" position?
The reason I am asking is it seems to me that you have lately ran into a situation that has prompted you to ask the Rally point playing field, namely E-8s, their thoughts on the matter....yes?
Had you a run in with a MSG while you were in the 1SG position wearing SFC rank?
Case in point, your due diligence is correct. MSG, the majority of the time are addressed "Master Sergents" but Reg Guidance states " Sergeant" is correct....
As a First Sergeant, and as junior to a MSG, I have always addressed them as "Master Sergeant"
Now you wanna talk egos? Try a CSM...vs a SGM...that's where the fun is at!!! Hope this helped you out and good luck to you and thx for your excellent service...
Hoooah!
The reason I am asking is it seems to me that you have lately ran into a situation that has prompted you to ask the Rally point playing field, namely E-8s, their thoughts on the matter....yes?
Had you a run in with a MSG while you were in the 1SG position wearing SFC rank?
Case in point, your due diligence is correct. MSG, the majority of the time are addressed "Master Sergents" but Reg Guidance states " Sergeant" is correct....
As a First Sergeant, and as junior to a MSG, I have always addressed them as "Master Sergeant"
Now you wanna talk egos? Try a CSM...vs a SGM...that's where the fun is at!!! Hope this helped you out and good luck to you and thx for your excellent service...
Hoooah!
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Never heard of calling an MSG Top. I have always called them Master Sergeant and I wouldn't call a 1st.SGT Top because many think that is unprofessional.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Not much on protocol. Titles don’t make the man it’s what you do and how you respond to having the title
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
It takes many years and knowledge to achieve that rank. As a Marine, we recognize this difficult achievement and out of respect call them by their earned rank. They deserve that for their long service and dedication!
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
As a retired MSG I really didn't care if they called me Sergeant but I did like it when they called me Master Sergeant.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google