Would you prefer to be addressed as 1SG or Top?

Personally I think calling 1SG Top is pretty outdated, kind of like saying "sarge". I don't take it as disrespectful but I prefer 1SG. You seem to hear it more from non combat arms soldiers.

back during the Civil War days and after, the SGT with a diamond in his rank was referred to as top soldier. I have been retired from Army almost 15 Yrs. my first, 1SG back in 1982 was a dressed as Top and 1SG. by lot of us. I called him that out of respect. I still call him that today. it's long Army tradition.

I always called Master Guns Top, I always called the 1st Sgt just that, I thought he deserved that and IMO it was respect not neglect. I always as everyone did address Sgt Major as such, and actually he is the top.

I have had many 1SG who didn't mind that his NCOs and Soldiers called him too. I have also had 1SG were only NCOs could call him top and the Soldiers had to call him 1SG. I usually always called my 1SG top, but there are times that you should use 1SG.

I have always called my 1SG TOP....to me it was a sign of respect, until we had a new one at his first formation pull a pen cap off a pen and say "this is a top...I am a 1SG"...up to him and I had no problem with that. But most of my old 1SG's knew when I said TOP...it wasnt a nickname for me...it was because he was the MFIC.

A lot depends on the 1stSgt or Top's preference. I would always inquire. To me Top was always just a little bit to informal for my tastes and early conditioning. I always addressed an E8/E9 by their rank, or rank and last name as a symbol of respect.

So funny thing is when I was a 1SG I preferred "First Sergeant", being called "Top" was not allowed. I don't know any of my peers who were okay with Top either, which may have been why I wasn't. I think it had to do with the formality of the position. Anyway, now that I'm retired I actually don't mind when some of my former soldiers, or people who know my former rank, call me Top - I even like it.

Some of my soldiers and NCOs called me TOP. I had no problem with it. To me, it was used in a respectful manor. I have had some 1SGs think it was degrading and one used to say "does it look like I spin on my head"

Top

I have always addressed my 1SG's as TOP after they have gained my respect. If not then I address them by the rank/name.