Posted on Feb 24, 2014
When NG or Reserve soldiers address each other by first name...
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When NG and Reserve soldiers are not on orders or on drill status, do they call each other by their first names? I am simply curious. Note- this is a much cleaned up version of the discussion question. My original was created after working 5 days of MIDS on LEO duties and in my tired stupor this question came to mind.
Posted in these groups: 
Army National Guard
Army Reserve
Army National Guard Army Reserve
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 19
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One thing to keep in mind with the Guard and Reserves....they are often HOMETOWN units. MOST (but not all) the people live in the same town or close by...they work and play with each other the rest of the month NOT in the military. 'Jim' runs runs/owns the hardware store, 'Bob' is a local contractor....'Bubba' has a great job at the local bar. The list goes on. that "one weekend a month" will be harder for them to break the habits of the other 28 days in the month... This does not make it more right....but is simply a concept to understand.
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Me personally as a SSG, I do not mind other NCO's calling me by my first name. Also, even though most people find it disrespectful, but most of my soldiers call me by my first name. I tell them straight up that when other NCO's are not around and we are working as a section, that if they call me Tyree, it will not offend me. My soldiers in my section know that we have that close relationship, and as long as they respect the rank and do what is asked, they will be well rewarded. As a NG Unit, my S6 Section always exceed standards in the unit and other soldiers see that and has asked to reclass because they see that I bend over backwards for my soldiers and they respond by exceeding standards. And also as long as my LES states the correct rank and pay, I can care less about a title. A title in front of a name doesn't earn the respect, but the leader's actions does.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
Agreed, but as a fellow SSG in the National Guard I also disagree with the notion of all of my soldiers calling me by my first name. I make them earn that ability and also make sure that the understanding is first name basis only when amongst the team. When in the presence of soldiers outside the S6 calling me by first name is unacceptable. I find the respect comes from knowledge and mentorship as well as giving the respect. In the S6 section this is common but in other unit types it is not as accepted and detracts from the authority of the position.
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SSG John Erny
It happens and when I first came to the guard from active duty 82nd ABN the 1Sgt introduced himself to me as Matt. That did not sit well with me. After 9/11 that culture changed quite a bit at least in Nebraska. That being said when you are alone with some one you have know out side of the military for 20 years yeah we tended to drop protocol and just talk. But when troops are around and in a more professional setting it was by the book.
My first encounter with the guard was at Ft. Bragg getting ready for Desert Storm. I was a PFC and this E-5 Female approached me and Hi my name is Sharon would you like to come out to tent city for a party. I declined because I knew my chain of command with blow a gasket. She was clearly hitting on me.
My first encounter with the guard was at Ft. Bragg getting ready for Desert Storm. I was a PFC and this E-5 Female approached me and Hi my name is Sharon would you like to come out to tent city for a party. I declined because I knew my chain of command with blow a gasket. She was clearly hitting on me.
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SFC(P) (Join to see)
SSG Alex, I agree. My soldiers has to earn that right. A new soldier out of AIT or from another unit will not call me by my first name until they earn that right. They also know that when they are in the presence of other soldier, I go by Sergeant McGriff.
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My two or three cents here. I am a duel status Mil-tech and am required to wear my uniform as part of my job. 98% of who I come in contact with think that I am AGR and even the folks I work with "forget" that I am a civilian employee of the Department of the Army.
As a civiilian I don't mind being called by my first name or even "Mr.". In fact I would prefer if all mil-techs wearing uniforms wore the Army Civilian rank tab in place of stripes - but then I digress and that is another topioc.
I work in a school house where in front of students we strictly follow the customs and courtesies and never use first names. In private, or at PT, lunch, etc with the group that I work very closely with - first names are common with the exceptions of senior NCO's and Officers.
Serving in the Guard I often run into people I know out in the civilian world, depending on how close we know each other and who is around will dictate how we address each other.
As a civiilian I don't mind being called by my first name or even "Mr.". In fact I would prefer if all mil-techs wearing uniforms wore the Army Civilian rank tab in place of stripes - but then I digress and that is another topioc.
I work in a school house where in front of students we strictly follow the customs and courtesies and never use first names. In private, or at PT, lunch, etc with the group that I work very closely with - first names are common with the exceptions of senior NCO's and Officers.
Serving in the Guard I often run into people I know out in the civilian world, depending on how close we know each other and who is around will dictate how we address each other.
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