Posted on Dec 20, 2013
Soldiers and Airman... why don't you address others by their full rank?
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Ive had the opportunity to serve along Soldiers, Airman, and Sailors in a joint service environment and I never understood why it was acceptable to call just about anybody who had Sergeant in their rank simply by Sergeant instead of Master Sergeant or Sergeant First Class. I would lose my mind and make corrections when I would be addressed by Sergeant instead of Staff Sergeant by a Soldier, Airman, and less frequently a non Fleet Marine Force Sailor (huge difference between the two ranks considering a Marine Staff Sergeant is a SNCO). Does anybody have any history on this or reason?
Rank
Joint Service
Enlisted
Sergeant
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 38
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For the Army (as previously stated), it's covered in AR 600-20, Table 1-1 (pictured below):<br><br><br>
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
Never heard that about third person before. I always said does the General desire, for a flag officer, for example. For O-5 and O-6, does the Colonel want, for example. Never used the entire rank. Must be new thing.
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SP5 Joel O'Brien
Going back in time, I don't recall anyone who was of any of the 'Specialist' ranks being addressed any way other than 'Specialist.'
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
SP5 O'Brien, that is right. The Technicians that Specialists replaced were addressed by their stripes A Tech 5 was called CPL and Techs 4 and 3 and Technical Sergeant by Sergeant. They ranked between the lower grade and the non tech of their grade. For example, Tech 4 ranked between a CPL and a SGT. Specialists all ranked between PFC and CPL. So there was no reason to say their grade.
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MSgt Gilbert Jones
I don't know if this is just the way it is in the different services, but in the Air Force most of the time depending on the situation an E1 thru E3)Airman, (E4 thru SMSgt) Sergeant, and (CMSgt) Chief. It's not that you are showing disrespect for one's rank, but you see that they are whatever their grade is. As a lsgt my troops usually addressed me as lsgt Shirt, that didn't bother me one bit. Again, it all depends on the situation, if you are introducing the person to someone or a group you would present them by their full rank. Our rank structure in the AF is also a little different then other services. A SSgt (E5), TSgt (E6)
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Hate to say it, but if people are obsessed with their title, that seems more of a problem to me. Everyone knows you are a 1SG or a CSM, if you have to be reminded....whose fault is that? I recall an incident where A General was referring to Senator Boxer as Ma'am, she took offense, said she earned the right to be called Senator..I contend if you are more concerned with what you are called than what you represent or DO, that is a bigger problem
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CW2 Ernest Krutzsch
I don't think I was disrespectful at all, I was stating my opinion, you earn respect, not by your title, but by your actions
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MSgt Gilbert Jones
I once had a O-6 call me and tell me that one of my troops was disrespectful to him and I asked what did he do. The Col told me that my troop wouldn't Sir him and I asked how was he addressing him and he said the airman would address him as Col or Col and name, but he would never say sir. I explained to the Col that the proper way was to either address as Col, Col and name or to say Sir so he technically wasn't being subordinate. Needless to say the Col didn't like my answer but he knew I was right. I did have a little chat with my troop when I saw him. My troop told me that he didn't like the Col and my response was he didn't have to like him but he had to show respect to what was on his shoulders.
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MSgt Gilbert Jones
CW2 Ernest Krutzsch - For the most part I would agree with you but that isn't the case in the military, you MUST respect the individual's rank you don't have to respect the individual themselves. I have known people both in and out of the service that I had no respect for, but I did show respect for their grade or position. Just tried to distance myself if possible from them.
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Great question, Staff Sergeant.
I worked in a joint command, and I conformed to the other services customs and had some Marines who worked or me that I correctly addressed. I would have to gently remind them not to call me Master Sergeant. The ones I would strongly correct are the Army guys who worked for me who I correctly addressed as Sergeant and he would ask me why I insulted him by not calling him by his rank. I told him to tell me why I didn't call him Master Sergeant.
I was honored to work with the USMC, and address them as their customs and courtesies require. We require the same.
The only Sergeants we address differently are Drill Sergeant, First Sergeant, and Sergeant Major.
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TSgt Terry Hudson - I had an SSgt chew me out when I called him Sir as a butter bar ( we were at the gym) I said well I don't know you..and I was raised by two enlisted to call someone Sir or Ma'am if I do not know them well enough to call them by their first name.... He said my name is Jim and walked away..
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TSgt Mark Singleton - I agree. Although I can't think of anytime my people called me anything other than Captain Coleman or Capt if we were in the shop. They did call my counter part ( who was a bit of dick Captain by itself; it did not sound like a complement)
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MSgt Gilbert Jones
CPT (Join to see) - Once I reported into a new job and my OIC introduced himself as Maj ______ and asked me what I would like to be called. I told him Sgt Jones, then I asked him what he would like me to call him. You should have seen his face. Then I said Sir, you can call me whatever you like, but I prefer my middle name and he did. He would always address me properly whenever we were outside of the office though.
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