Why do so many MSGs insist on being addressed as Master Sergeant?

I had an asshole First that wanted to be addressed as First Sergeant. Had another we called "Top". Had an NCOIC E-8 that was Sergeant Stroh. The last First I had was Sergeant Blue.

This is one of the differences I see between services. In the Marines, we called all enlisted ranks by their entire proper rank. No SSGT wanted to be called SGT after working for years for that hard earned promotion. That was true up the Line. The main difference was it was fine to call a Gunnery SGT, Gunny. WO's were affectionately called Gunner, and 2nd and 1st LT's and LT COL and COL's were all LT's and COL's. No distinction.

In my last 2 positions, I had Master Sergeants in my battery or my operations section. I addressed them as Sergeant, though sometimes as Master Sergeant just for kicks (e.g., Good MORNING, Master Sergeant Jones!). I always referred to them, if I was referring to them to a 3rd party, as Master Sergeant (e.g., yes Bn Cdr, Master Sergeant Knox will be leading the wheeled vehicle convoy). Anyone who spends that much time earning the rank deserves to be addressed and referred to with respect for his or her rank.

I never “demanded” to be called Master Sergeant. That said, my time as a Marine spilled over in to my Army service. I referred to MSGs as Master Sergeant unless they were a bag of trash. I looked at it as a courtesy. I preferred to differentiate between SSGs and SFCs as well. When I was a 1SG, I had a SGT try to call me out on it. What a tool. When he made SSG, I still referred to him as Sergeant.

An E8 was TOP when I was in , 75-79 Ft Bragg !

I'll weigh in here - in the uscg it's the norm for petty officers to be called petty officer such and such. However informally we call each other by rate (job titles) shorthand. However when addressing senior ncos- "chief petty officer/senior cheif/master chief" get that title correct...your soul depends on it. To me I don't recall the exact by the book number but a chief was a chief and a senior cheif...well they didn't get there by being punks...so senior chief it was, and masters...those mysterious anchors with stars...they walk on water. They get called what ever that specific divinity wished to be called.
In polite working company we shortened it to chief or "senior"...but master chiefs...never. knew them or not, had beers with them or not at work it was master chief. Period.
I don't think it's an ego trip to most. It's a sign they worked hard, Sat their respective boards, put in their time, paid their dues and most often Ben there 20 plus years. If they feel being called master seargent is the price YOU will pay for their achievements...they've earned it.
Don't ha e to like the man in the collar but better not tread on the rank tabs on that collar.

That's the way I read the regulation. In the Army you are addressed Sergeant from SGT to MSG, until you earn 1SG rank. I can understand clarifying on phone calls what your rank is, but you shouldn't have to.

Perhaps it’s that way in the Army. Navy and Marine Corps is different. It’s either Chief, Senior Chief or Master Chief. Marine Corps is Gunnery Sergeant, Master Sergeant or 1st Sgt, and finally Sergeant Magor or Master Gunnery Sergeant.

I’m a retired Army LTC. I’ve always done it out of respect. Not because I had to. I’d also call you over for a beer!

Didn't really care Master Sergeant or Sergeant but didn't like being called Master.