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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Are you called Sarge, or Sergeant or 1st Sergeant? Does Master sound better than First? You must meet a lot of MSGs with egos like yours to put INSIST in caps. I've never asked to be called anything in my supervisory positions. I was addressed that way out of respect for my ability to be a leader, teacher and a good example. I just happened to be a woman that chose to be better than what was necessary to slide by. If it is someone obviously better that's in front of you it's a mute point. It was probably a 1st Sergeant that wrote the reg.
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I’m a retired SFC, I didn’t get that either when I was in. I got my ass chewed severely. I pointed out the regulation on this. After that, I purposely addressed them as Sargent. I was told once , “ I’m way passed E-5!” Well, if you consider yourself a pay grade
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An ego thing in my opinion . I am a retired MSGT an rarely was referred to verbally.
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When I was enlisted and encountered a MSG, I always referred to them as "Sergeant" and never got dusted off. I later heard my 1SG refer to a MSG from BN as "Master Sergeant" so I foolishly asked him about it. After my 1SG smoked me he told me that it's proper to refer to a Master Sergeant as such when they had previously had a diamond. It never really made sense to me, to be honest. So, while I personally never encountered a MSG that insisted on being called "Master Sergeant", it would not surprise me at all to hear that there are those out there that demand it.
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So, your personal opinion is that they do it due to ego. “…The remainder is just ignorance.”
That says a lot about your own ego.
That says a lot about your own ego.
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If you think calling a Msg by full name, I was a young buck Sgt. and was at Camp LeJuene. I was in the chow hall, the mess Sgt. slopped my tray and I said, "Thank You Sgt." He went running all the way down his side of the line and all the way back to where I was and started yelling at the top of his lungs about how I have to address him as Gunny, or Gunnery Sgt. This went on for about five minutes, and it was really silly. I always learned, okay, the first time make the correction on the spot and carry on. He saw I was in an Army uniform, and all he had to do was say across the serving line, is "address me as..." I thought the vein in his neck was going to explode. It was quite hilarious. Think a smaller version of GSGT Carter from Gomer Pyle.
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The AR is defining on this. But - I always tried to refer to them as "Master Sergeant." And you are 100% right - most are secure enough that they don't act childish and request to be called something that the AR doesn't require.
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