Addressing the ranks

bubblehead · 04-29-2009, 12:54

Greetings gentlemen.

I want to ensure I'm on the ball when I show up to my unit (I am in a Navy unit that is attached to an Army command) in regard to verbally addressing Enlisted Army personnel. I've searched the forums and found a couple of threads in regard to title etiquette and wanted to compile a definitive list.

Any comments on the attached are appreciated and I will be more than happy to add/modify the PDF and re-upload.

Scimitar · 04-29-2009, 14:16

I was under the understanding that you address a Master Sergeant as "Master Sergeant" until he tells you otherwise??

S

**Team Sergeant** · 04-29-2009, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scimitar

I was under the understanding that you address a Master Sergeant as "Master Sergeant" until he tells you otherwise??

S

Then you would be incorrect.

swpa19 · 04-29-2009, 15:21

The Sergeant Major thing is a bit iffy. Ive known quite a few CSMs that insisted that the COMMAND be included when adressing them. I aint arguing with no CSM.

bubblehead · 04-29-2009, 16:05

Thank you all for the input, I appreciate it.

greenberetTFS · 04-29-2009, 16:16

When I was in the service an E-4 was a Corporal and when I got E-5, it was Sergeant but I had 3 stripes and a rocker. When I made E-6, I was called a First Sergeant with 3 stripes and 2 rockers. We also did not have a CSM rank! ..........

When did the CSM rank come into being?

GB TFS

Scimitar · 04-29-2009, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

Then you would be incorrect.

Good to know

S

Stras · 04-29-2009, 22:54

Bubblehead,

Unlike the Marine Corps where they emphasize the full rank. the army simply refers to Sergeant (E-5) through Master Sergeant (E-8) as simply "Sergeant". Always refer to the First Sergeant as "First Sergeant", and NOT "TOP"!!!! Had a young-in call me that. and I asked him if I had a string coming out my a** like the frigging toy. I haven't run into a CSM that falls into the "Command Sergeant Major", Sergeant Major works just fine.

Should you get to the first name basis stage, it's in your best interest to refer to the person by their rank when in mixed company of higher ranked individuals.

You didn't have the officer rank structure listed. Army Captain is an O-3, not an O-6. I think the Navy Lieutenant Commander is a Army Major (O-4), and Commander is a Army Lieutenant Colonel. Colonel (O-6) is equivalent to Navy Captain. Lieutenant j.g. should be 2d and 1st Lieutenant (O-1 and O-2), commonly referred to as "lieutenant".

Warrant Officers (WO1 thru CW5) are "Mister Smith". Should you run into them.

When in doubt, Sir or Ma'am work in a pinch.

Hope this helps.

v/r
Stras

De Oppresso Liber

bubblehead · 04-30-2009, 07:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stras

Bubblehead,

Unlike the Marine Corps where they emphasize the full rank. the army simply refers to Sergeant (E-5) through Master Sergeant (E-8) as simply "Sergeant". Always refer to the First Sergeant as "First Sergeant", and NOT "TOP"!!!! Had a young-in call me that. and I asked him if I had a string coming out my a** like the frigging toy. I haven't run into a CSM that falls into the "Command Sergeant Major", Sergeant Major works just fine.

Should you get to the first name basis stage, it's in your best interest to refer to the person by their rank when in mixed company of higher ranked individuals.

You didn't have the officer rank structure listed. Army Captain is an O-3, not an O-6. I think the Navy Lieutenant Commander is a Army Major (O-4), and Commander is a Army Lieutenant Colonel. Colonel (O-6) is equivalent to Navy Captain. Lieutenant j.g. should be 2d and 1st Lieutenant (O-1 and O-2), commonly referred to as "lieutenant".

Warrant Officers (WO1 thru CW5) are "Mister Smith". Should you run into them.

When in doubt, Sir or Ma'am work in a pinch.

Hope this helps.

v/r
Stras

De Oppresso Liber

Thank you, Stras. I'm good to go with the Office ranks and appreciate your input nevertheless

MidwayFlanker · 04-30-2009, 09:55

bubblehead,

Its good that you are going into some good research on what and how to address personel in the Army, enlisted, warrant, or officer. When I was deployed to Afghanistan with the Army as an Air Force security forces member, I had seen more than enough people get "buried" verbally for misaddressing a Sergeant (E-5 to E-8) and even calling a Sergeant Major, "Sarge", or simple calling them Sir/Ma'am, which however works in a pinch as Stras stated, but dont assume that you can use that and neglect learning the ranking system, since they will be with you for however long your tour is. Repect them, and they will Respect you.

greenberetTFS,

Sir, I looked up the date that CSM was introduced into the Army and it was stated that Congress introduced the new rank in 1958. And its Rank Insignia was changed in 1968 When SMA was appointed a Position in the Army Ranks.

f50lrrp · 04-30-2009, 10:29

You are right SMA was created in 1968. The 1st SMA was named Wooldridge and he was Court Martialed along with the Provost Marshall of the Army for embezzlement of club receipts.