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

I am a retired physician and I find it strange when addressed, Mr., Fred. I don't mind Doc, Dr. Fred. It wasn't easy to get that degree and I feel I deserve the respect the title signifies. Who knows what the future holds. Drs. could be vilified, in which case Mr. and Fred would be alright to protect me from bodily injury.

I never insisted on being called anything other than Sergeant. If I was called Master Sergeant, I responded. When I was the Brigade Operations SGM, I was often called Sergeant Major. I would correct those outside of our HQs, but everyone in the building kept it up, no matter what I said.

It could be a bleed over from the Navy. I always liked the way that it worked and hasn't changed since sometime in the 19th century. Then again, I didn't mind being called Top, when wearing diamonds, so maybe I'm weird.

Why is this even a question? As members of the US Army, we should recognize Master Sergeant rank on site. When another servicemember asks that you address them by the rank they've earned just extend them the couresty and keep it moving.

I don't know why the Army Tradition and culture has such ambiguity with titles among it's enlisted ranks. My Brother an National Guardsman tried to explain it to a hard headed devil dog like myself and I am still puzzled by this idea of earned respect being the most important attribute rather than title necessarily...It's gotta be some enduring Army Culture Attribute because 30 years later, my son now an Air Cavalryman with the 101st AB understands it the same way as my brother did when he tried to explain this to me 30 or so years ago "it's about earned respect more than the rank...) ...I guess my problem is I'm a Marine. We learned that our branch was born to fight on land, sea, (and later...air) next to our Sailor Brethren who were also a proud Branch and Unique Military Culture that we were expected to navigate and work immediately and seamlessly side by side with. We were taught that our immediate NCO's starting with Corporals who wore the Red Blood Stripe on their trousers and carried the NCO's Sword would have their orders obeyed as would the word of God (like a Captain or Chief of a Ship)...(When I told my son that Marine Corporals in the Infantry are like Demi-God's, he laughed and said Army Corporals are kindof a joke...and that the "E-4 Mafia Ran the lower enlisted ranks of the Army"...lol) In the Corps, THE RANK...NOT THE MAN...is what I witnessed RESPECTED in Garrison and in the Combat Zone. If they were a quality guy and leader then lucky for you...If he was a worthless, ass kissing garbage person with Sgt. or SSGT. stripes then tough shit! You'd better address him and respect him just the same...Marine junior enlisted and junior NCO's not to mention our SNCO"S were given enormous responsibility and latitude in making critical decisions on the battlefield in a rifle platoon...very often you would look around to see who was in charge and it was the guy just above you beside you or even YOU who was left to call in coordinates, evacuate wounded, navigate a patrol or call fire missions in training or in combat...So what you got with this in the Corps is unquestioned obedience and respect for that rank no matter how incompetent, talented or capable that particular NCO or SNCO might be. The best results of this cultural peculiarity manifested in quick decision making, taking the initiative, resilience, and sustaining the fight to destroy the enemy...the worst results could manifest in men or units getting unnecessarily lost, hurt, and killed...(I saw this too) To the Corps (at least when I was in) dead or maimed Marines were an acceptable reality of that profession...lack of respect, losing the initiative, lack of efficiency, or worst of all!...lack of fighting spirt were not...

Is it that serious to not call a MSG by full rank? And is it that serious of an entitlement for someone to be referred to by their rank?

I never once asked anyone to address me in that manner. Oddly enough most people just did.

I always called the high-ranking NCOs by the rank on their sleeve or collar. Master Sergeant, 1ST Sergeant or Top if they preferred that, Command Sergeant Major. Had that drilled into me during basic and just never forgot it! I don't see where that would be an ego thing! To me it's a sign of respect!

Maybe, master sergeants want to be just like the Marines by addressing as their actual rank; instead of calling them “sergeant” for every single sergeant from a staff sergeant to a sergeant major.

Not sure if anyone else has brought up this point, but at least in the Marine Corps, the paygrade of E8 is split, so in their case, it is literally a matter of professional pride in their chosen path of advancement.

From Marines.mil, "Gunnery sergeants (E-7) indicate their preferred promotional track on their annual evaluations. First sergeants (E-8) and sergeants major (E-9) serve as senior enlisted advisors assisting the commanding officer in matters of discipline, administration, and the morale and welfare of the unit. First sergeants serve as the senior enlisted Marine in a company, battery, or other unit at similar echelon, while sergeants major serve the same role in battalions, squadrons, or larger units. Master sergeants (E-8) and master gunnery sergeants (E-9) provide technical leadership as occupational specialists in their specific MOS."