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 believe there are four ways to address a non commission officer, Corporal, Sergeant,First Sergeant, Sergeant Major.
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As MSG I never gave it a thought...Master Sergeant...Sergeant...didn't matter...same when I was 1SG...Call me Top...First Sergeant....didn't give it a second thought. I did know a few 1SG that hated being called top though....I rather enjoyed it though.
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CPO Nate S.
As a Chief, I always liked "Top" told me a person was at the "Top" of their game and someone I could speak to in the Army that could give this ole Navy Chief some straight answers. TOP always, to me at least, seemed a term of endearment and respect for skills gained and that were well expressed.
Top Bacon - Thank you for your humble and professional service!
Top Bacon - Thank you for your humble and professional service!
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As a MSG, it made no difference to myself but over the years there were a few who insisted on being addressed as MSG. I believe it's a ego thing
Rank going to their head
Rank going to their head
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I think I've met only one fellow Master Sergeant who wanted to be addressed as such. I was a young MSG and when I addressed him as "Sergeant" he replied "Master Sergeant call me Master Sergeant". I said ok Sergeant, call me Sergeant. Most of the young Soldiers would address me as Master Sergeant but if time permitted, I would correct them. For 18 years out of my 24-year career, I was called Sergeant Nak. Heck, even USAA calls me Sergeant Nak, haha!
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I was always told there are two Sergeant ranks that are addressed with other than Sergeant and that is First Sergeant and CSM/SGM.
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Every time I've been around someone who insisted on being called "Master Sergeant", I made it a point to call them "Sergeant" and smile. Not long before I retired, I was in civilian clothes and called someone "Sergeant" and they said, "It's MASTER Sergeant". My reply was, "In that case, SERGEANT, you may call me FIRST SERGEANT! Based on Army Regulations, that's the correct way to address each other." He changed his tone with me real quick and didn't pull that with anyone in front of me again. I later learned he'd never "worn the diamond" and was on a power trip. So sad.
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As a young soldier I learned there were 3 sergeants in the Army. You address Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Sergeant First Class, and Master Sergeant as Sergeant. You address a First Sergeant as First Sergeant. And you address both Command Sergeant Major and Sergeant Major as Sergeant Major. Any NCO who insists on being called Staff Sergeant, Sergeant First Class etc, needs an attitude check. BTW I served 29 years all on active duty. MSG (RET) Brian Huey
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I am often addressed as "Lieutenant Colonel," although the correct address is simply "Colonel." I don't have a problem either way. It is accurate to call me by my actual rank or by the accepted form of address and a simple "Sir" is more than adequate for a retired light colonel like me. One of my sons is an Air Force master sergeant and another is an Army master sergeant. I am every bit as proud of their achievement of those ranks (which are not exactly the same) as I am of my own retired grade. We all achieved those ranks by hard work and dedication. I do appreciate being recognized and I am proud to have been honored in serving. Were I retired at any other rank I would take pride in such achievements. For many years I answered to "Captain" and for quite a few I answered to "Lieutenant." It all counts for 20 or 30 or how ever many years a person has sacrificed his or her sweat and blood in service to our country.
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it's a personnel preference. Although retired, I am still addressed a Senior when entering a Military Base! Agree as a 1st Sgt., was called all sorts of names!
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SGM (Join to see)
A good 1st Sgt is happy to be called all those other names because it means they're probably doing the job right! :-)
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