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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My Guess Would Be "PRIDE" In Their Achievements And To Have Reached Such A High Enlisted Rank.
It Wasn't Very Easy Reaching That Height.
My Congratulations To Them ALL.
It Might Even Be Similar To An Officer Reaching The Rank Of "Full Bird Coronal"...
It Wasn't Very Easy Reaching That Height.
My Congratulations To Them ALL.
It Might Even Be Similar To An Officer Reaching The Rank Of "Full Bird Coronal"...
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It doesn't really matter that it doesn't hold water for you and the fact is, they DID earn it.
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1SG (Join to see)
They've earned the rank, for sure. What they HAVEN'T earned is the right to insist that people to address them in a manner that defies the regulation.
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CWO4 Miles Weaver
It's a shame that the Army looks at rank that way, in my opinion, but y'all do what works for you. When in Okinawa I was with a Joint Service unit and was the Marine contribution. I lived in an Army barracks and my best friend worked for a Major who he addressed by his first name.
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As a Marine, 1stsgt, Master Sargent, Master Gunnery Sargent, Sargent Major, Sargent Major of the Marine Corps. Staff Sargent, Gunnery Sargent, so it's not affirmation , it's respect of a title earned, like the title MARINE. If a Sargent is standing next to you-E-5 and you are a Sargent E-8 and the Commanding Officer calls both of you into his office and treated both of you as equals, you two Sergeants get your butts in here and stand at attention. AR 600-20 is clear but not to you!!
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The proper address was always Sergeant before and that was fine. If someone's ego is so sensitive they need to have a fancier title to be addressed to it seems they have an ego problem. Respect of course is proper towards any member of our armed force and I tend to use Sir or Mam more than rank addresses including those I outrank, We are ALL members of the same team aren't We ? Other than First Sergeant or Sergeant Major even chief Master Sergeant which usually just the word "Chief" worked or the same for levels of rank within a tile for example, Lt. Colonel or Colonel to both be addressed as Colonel or Sir will work also. Respect involves a lot more than just the formal address for a sensitive ego or insecurity or someone that seems to need a royal title. Don't call Me late for chow though, I need My dinner !
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I have called a CMSGT Chief as a sign of respect when I was on active duty.
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With that said, you might not get the same insistence from somebody who's family name is "Baiter."
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After viewing all the comments about to call an Army Master Sergeant, I am so glad that I was promoted to Master Sergeant as a Marine.
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Didn't happen in my days (1973-1998), is that a new thing? I will say, however, in the USMC, they view it differently, very differently.
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