Posted on Sep 17, 2018
Is calling a Master Sergeant by their full rank showing higher respect, or is just extra?
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I know what the regulation states, and that is that E-5 through E-8 (except for 1SG) is addressed as Sergeant. However, I continually see soldiers addressing MSGs by their full rank. Is it a sign of higher respect for the rank they earned, or is just being extra? I can see both sides of the argument - regulation vs respect towards the rank they have obtained - I want to hear all your thoughts!
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 236
SSG Mannix Brooks
MSgt Gary Enos - That was pretty funny , Aim High I guess but while you are at it why not "your Lordship" or "Your highness"
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SGT Jim Wiseman
As a SPC on Rear-D, I was told to call an E-6, "Phil" while engaging in a post-duty day activity to bond the troops. I was a late life entry and so garnered some more respect from the NCO's than would be normal. At a mandatory safety brief for the BN or BDE, we were filing into the auditorium. Phil greeted me with a "Jim." I returned with a "Sergeant."
"What's this 'Sergeant' crap? You can call me 'Phil.'" A fellow E-6 responded quickly with, "Jim's a professional. He knows that in a public setting, in uniform, to address you as 'Sergeant.'"
Good ol' Cullie! Phil nodded in appreciation as I recall.
What I learned before that from an MSG was the reg answer, but also that if one used "Master Sergeant," that it was not out of place or outside of Customs and Courtesies.
Learning from an EOD SGT while I was still an SPC giving him a lift back to Campbell once we had both been released from the transition unit at Gordon after hospitalization, that EOD units called officers by nicknames at least. He was in a different unit than the one that was attached to my unit, but he knew "Lando," the officer in charge of our EOD team. I also heard much later that CID and MP's had similar practices of casualness. That galled me a bit as an Infantryman.
"What's this 'Sergeant' crap? You can call me 'Phil.'" A fellow E-6 responded quickly with, "Jim's a professional. He knows that in a public setting, in uniform, to address you as 'Sergeant.'"
Good ol' Cullie! Phil nodded in appreciation as I recall.
What I learned before that from an MSG was the reg answer, but also that if one used "Master Sergeant," that it was not out of place or outside of Customs and Courtesies.
Learning from an EOD SGT while I was still an SPC giving him a lift back to Campbell once we had both been released from the transition unit at Gordon after hospitalization, that EOD units called officers by nicknames at least. He was in a different unit than the one that was attached to my unit, but he knew "Lando," the officer in charge of our EOD team. I also heard much later that CID and MP's had similar practices of casualness. That galled me a bit as an Infantryman.
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SGT Jim Wiseman
SrA John Wright - I thought that was only Marines, and by extension (?) Navy. Kinda figured that AF originating in the Army might have carried over the tradition of calling NCO's "Sergeant." Although, the joke is now that you call an officer "dude." LOL!
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SGT Jim Wiseman
Cpl Vic Burk - I like using that one in the civilian world, but nobody really gets it.
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When referring to someone you use their title, CSM when greeting you can say Sergeants Major, when you refer to them you would say Command Sergeants Major, or the CSM. The long version when assessing them SSG, SFC, MSG, CSM is acceptable but not necessary. If you feel better calling them by their full title have at it, it is not wrong just not necessary. Thank you for your service.
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SGT Jim Wiseman
1stSgt Tom McGarry - I developed "NCJoe" for CPL's. An E-6 from my first unit was trying to get at least one of two SPC's promoted to SGT prior to and into deployment. He got one lateraled to CPL after he passed the Board and since he was commo in the S-3 of an Infantry unit, that was a bit unusual. SSG Stearns said one time: "The good thing about a CPL is that when you need an NCO, you have one. When you need a Joe, you got one."
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SGT Jim Wiseman
Sgt Charles Welling - Always wanted to see an officer get smoked by an SGM or CSM! Well... see as much of it as I could while moving away, trying not to notice or risk getting pulled into that cluster.
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SGT Jim Wiseman
MSgt John Bowen - I'd risk "respect." Knowing the proper name of an AF rank on sight was not my strong suit. Knowing that it had multiple rockers and chevrons would likely have been enough for just a "Sergeant" for most of us and then a proper listen for any correction that any SM felt necessary.
You know, I still use "three up and three down" sometimes when thinking of MSG/1SG having first heard it in "Good Morning, Vietnam." I leave out "The end of an inning?"
You know, I still use "three up and three down" sometimes when thinking of MSG/1SG having first heard it in "Good Morning, Vietnam." I leave out "The end of an inning?"
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SGT Everett Fray
Sergeant Major is 1 STAR at Battlion level, Command Sergeant Major is 2 STARS at Brigade level .
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