Air Force
Air Force
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I haven't been able to find any guidance on this, and I've noticed some bases seem to have different standards.
Do you address your First Sergeant as "First Sergeant?" Or do you address them by their rank?
Ex:
"Good afternoon First Sergeant."
Same question for Command Chief's.
Do you address your First Sergeant as "First Sergeant?" Or do you address them by their rank?
Ex:
"Good afternoon First Sergeant."
Same question for Command Chief's.
Air Force
8F000: First Sergeant
CCMSgt
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 28
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Via AFI36-2618, The Little Brown Book, here are all terms of address.
E1 - Airman Basic or Airman
E2 - Airman
E3 - Airman First Class or Airman, unofficial is literally A1C.
E4 - Senior Airman or Airman
E5 - Staff Sergeant or Sergeant
E6 - Technical Sergeant or Sergeant (Short: Tech Sergeant not listed but is also used.)
E7 - Master Sergeant or Sergeant
E8 - Senior Master Sergeant or Sergeant ("Senior" is officially listed as not acceptable.)
E9 - Chief Master Sergeant or Chief
Special SNCOs
E9 CMSAF - Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force or Chief
E9 CCM - Here is where it starts to enter the gray area. The book doesn't specify, by now we know Chief is acceptable. The full "Command Chief Master Sergeant" can also be assumed to be correct. Unofficially Shortening it to Command Chief is also allowed, at least by some.
E7-E9 First Sergeant is also unfortunately not listed. In most cases that I have seen terms of address could include: First Sergeant, Sergeant, Shirt, First Shirt, Chief (for E9 Shirt of course), rarely Top. I think that's it, at least that I know off hand.
This was probably far larger of an answer than you really wanted. Realistically it will probably depend on your base and unit as to what certain people refer to others as. I have always called the First Sergeants either Sergeant or Shirt and the CCM just Chief, Command Chief if I need to specify. I am sure those are addressed somewhere in the regs as well but when in doubt, do as the rest of your unit does. That or just ask, Shirt shouldn't light you up for asking an honest question like that.
E1 - Airman Basic or Airman
E2 - Airman
E3 - Airman First Class or Airman, unofficial is literally A1C.
E4 - Senior Airman or Airman
E5 - Staff Sergeant or Sergeant
E6 - Technical Sergeant or Sergeant (Short: Tech Sergeant not listed but is also used.)
E7 - Master Sergeant or Sergeant
E8 - Senior Master Sergeant or Sergeant ("Senior" is officially listed as not acceptable.)
E9 - Chief Master Sergeant or Chief
Special SNCOs
E9 CMSAF - Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force or Chief
E9 CCM - Here is where it starts to enter the gray area. The book doesn't specify, by now we know Chief is acceptable. The full "Command Chief Master Sergeant" can also be assumed to be correct. Unofficially Shortening it to Command Chief is also allowed, at least by some.
E7-E9 First Sergeant is also unfortunately not listed. In most cases that I have seen terms of address could include: First Sergeant, Sergeant, Shirt, First Shirt, Chief (for E9 Shirt of course), rarely Top. I think that's it, at least that I know off hand.
This was probably far larger of an answer than you really wanted. Realistically it will probably depend on your base and unit as to what certain people refer to others as. I have always called the First Sergeants either Sergeant or Shirt and the CCM just Chief, Command Chief if I need to specify. I am sure those are addressed somewhere in the regs as well but when in doubt, do as the rest of your unit does. That or just ask, Shirt shouldn't light you up for asking an honest question like that.
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TSgt (Join to see)
Most excellent for referring to and quoting the appropriate reference to answer this young Airman's question.
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SSgt (Join to see) friendly advice?
You are an A1C. I would address my seniors by proper rank (that way you are not trying to be a fishing buddy) and then ask what that individual's preferred term of address is. And you may want to get your butt out of the seat it is in when doing that. (side note, that would hold true of Ben aka SrA (Join to see) who was giving you some advice-perhaps not the get out of your seat, but the proper address-it just shows discipline and respect).
Refer to the following examples: as they pertain to the question
Ex. The Command Chief, may prefer to be called Command Chief, or Chief, who knows. And on a bad day, you will not get it right. And why would you be talking to the Command Chief anyway?
Ex. The Senior Master Sergeant may prefer Senior or SMSgt, who knows, and on a bad day, you will not get it right. But then, if you are talking with the SMSgt, things may not be as rosy as we had hoped they would.
Ex. The First Sergeant-Well, who are we kidding? If you are talking with the First Sergeant, you have problems to begin with right?
There is a lot of truth in jest. However. Be respectful, address them by their rank-not by abbreviations, until you have learned what is acceptable. You cannot go wrong by going proper. You can righteously screw yourself into the ground by thinking that you can just start using abbreviations-not that you would, as you are here, on RP, asking for the right way.
PS, Each Service varies-for example, if you were to call a Marine Gunnery Sergeant {GySgt, Gunny, (E-7)} a Sergeant, watch for the fireworks.
Good luck
You are an A1C. I would address my seniors by proper rank (that way you are not trying to be a fishing buddy) and then ask what that individual's preferred term of address is. And you may want to get your butt out of the seat it is in when doing that. (side note, that would hold true of Ben aka SrA (Join to see) who was giving you some advice-perhaps not the get out of your seat, but the proper address-it just shows discipline and respect).
Refer to the following examples: as they pertain to the question
Ex. The Command Chief, may prefer to be called Command Chief, or Chief, who knows. And on a bad day, you will not get it right. And why would you be talking to the Command Chief anyway?
Ex. The Senior Master Sergeant may prefer Senior or SMSgt, who knows, and on a bad day, you will not get it right. But then, if you are talking with the SMSgt, things may not be as rosy as we had hoped they would.
Ex. The First Sergeant-Well, who are we kidding? If you are talking with the First Sergeant, you have problems to begin with right?
There is a lot of truth in jest. However. Be respectful, address them by their rank-not by abbreviations, until you have learned what is acceptable. You cannot go wrong by going proper. You can righteously screw yourself into the ground by thinking that you can just start using abbreviations-not that you would, as you are here, on RP, asking for the right way.
PS, Each Service varies-for example, if you were to call a Marine Gunnery Sergeant {GySgt, Gunny, (E-7)} a Sergeant, watch for the fireworks.
Good luck
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SMSgt Cary Baker
MSgt Jim Wolverton - You are correct, however, Depends which base you are stationed at - at my last base - Senior was used - I didn't ask for it and I never referred to myself as Senior - but every one except the Airman called me Senior - even after 2 yrs into retirement, I'm still called Senior.
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SMSgt Cary Baker
I have witnessed one of my Airman address a First Sergeant - as Sergeant - and he was lectured for it by the Shirt for not properly addressing him correctly. I took the shirt behind closed doors and gave him some lecturing. The Airman did nothing wrong and I sent him the see the Shirt.
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MSgt Jim Wolverton
SMSgt Baker, one unit using the term doesn't mean it's right nor make it required. Sounds like someone wasn't doing their job if the EFS and proper terms of address weren't being adhered to.
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