Etiquette in US SF

Rapid · 07-26-2008, 14:53

I tried searching the forums for "etiquette", but I didn't find the answer to the following question in the threads that came up. In US SF (particularly, but I imagine it applies in other SOF too), when does one use "sir" when addressing another SF soldier?

My understanding (correct me if I'm wrong) is that it's reserved for addressing officers. But can it be used as a sign of respect between enlisted soldiers (NCOs?). Would a regular infantryman ever call an SF soldier "sir" out of respect? Or even an SF soldier to another SF soldier? What about civilians; are there different standards for them? Can it be seen as common courtesy by them?

And finally, how should a foreign SF soldier use "sir" when addressing US SF? Only towards officers (mandatory or facultative?), or can he use it for enlisted personnel too, should he wish so?

These may be obvious questions for an American, but I am of course a dirty foreigner

, so sorry!

**Eagle5US** · 07-26-2008, 16:15

Military customs and courtesies dictate that officers are addressed as "Sir" and Enlisted soldiers addressed by their accompanying rank.
When I was an NCO, it would have in fact been disrespectful for another soldier to address me as Sir instead of my enlisted rank. "Sergeant" is generally utilized in the U. S. Army for ranks E-5 (Sergeant) through the E-8 rank of Master Sergeant. There is also an E-8 "First Sergeant" who generally has an overall leadership role. These are generally not found in Special Forces units. E-9's are addressed as Sergeant Major.

Foreign troops are understandably less restricted but we make every attempt to have them address us as appropriate for the situation we are in together and the rank we wear. It helps to maintain good discipline and promote the military model during cooperative training. Additionally, many times it is easier for foreign soldiers to relate "SGT to SGT" due to the general disparity between officers and enlisted in many countries. This becomes advantageous for training, language, camaraderie, and overall friendly good times.

Eagle

Rapid · 07-26-2008, 16:39

Thank you for answering my questions. That's pretty much what I thought, but I was a little confused because I often saw civilians calling enlisted personnel "Sir" (on the internet). I was wondering if it was just a civilian thing (i.e. a sign of respect, using "Sir" in the civilian sense), or if enlisted personnel would do that between themselves too. Thanks for clearing that up! In France there's no equivalent to "Sir"; officers are addressed by their rank, similarly to enlisted personnel.

**Pete** · 07-26-2008, 17:15

As Eagle5US said.

In a military setting it is fairly easy.

In a civilian setting it is considered polite to use "Yes, Sir" and "No Ma'am".

There are a number of one term SF, retired SF and still serving SF - as well as other branches and services that post here. I have not seen anybody throw their rank around.

I would say the majority of people who use "Sir" here are commenting on the person and being polite.

"Yes, Sir" "No Ma'am" Its a southern thing

**Team Sergeant** · 07-26-2008, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapid

Would a regular infantryman ever call an SF soldier "sir" out of respect?

Only once would someone make the grave mistake of calling me "sir" when I was in uniform.

If the individual that called me "sir" was still breathing after I was done yelling I would kill them and bury them in an unmarked grave at a pet cemetery.

Team Sergeant

Rapid · 07-26-2008, 17:58

LOL. Thanks, Pete and Team Sergeant.

Edit: earlier I said there was no equivalent to "Sir" over here, but I overlooked the fact that certain ranks hold "Mon" before them (Mon Lieutenant for example), "Mon" being an abbreviation for "Monsieur" of course (which is sort of like Sir).

abc_123 · 07-26-2008, 18:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

Only once would someone make the grave mistake of calling me "sir" when I was in uniform.

If the individual that called me "sir" was still breathing after I was done yelling I would kill them and bury them in an unmarked grave at a pet cemetery.

Team Sergeant

Now that is too funny.

Also regarding civilian usage... For formal letters or letters from individuals to organizations when the particular addressee is not known then it is common to use, "Dear Sir," or "Dear Ma'am."

When the gender of the addressee is not known then use "Dear Sir" as the default.

optactical · 07-26-2008, 18:13

Last I checked every BN has an HSC led by a CPT and a 1SG, 9 times out of 10 that 1SG is a tabbed guy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle5US

There is also an E-8 "First Sergeant" who generally has an overall leadership role. These are generally not found in Special Forces units.

Snaquebite · 07-26-2008, 18:29

You will also find Tabbed 1SG's in the GSBs.

**Jack Moroney (RIP)** · 07-26-2008, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

Only once would someone make the grave mistake of calling me "sir" when I was in uniform.

I don't know. When I was not in uniform many folks that had no clue I was an officer referred to me as an NCO. I took it as a compliment seeing as how I always thought of my self as a soldier who happened to hold an officer rank.

**Eagle5US** · 07-26-2008, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by optactical

Last I checked every BN has an HSC led by a CPT and a 1SG, 9 times out of 10 that 1SG is a tabbed guy.

Ummmmmm....WAYYYYYYYY back when I guess......there were no E-8 1SG's. Each company had their own SGM, then the GP CSM.

My apologies for my information being "dated"...let me go drink my "Ensure" now and change my "Depends" before my 2000 bed time.

Eagle

**Kyobanim** · 07-26-2008, 20:59

Quote:

My apologies for my information being "dated"...let me go drink my "Ensure" now and change my "Depends" before my 2000 bed time.

They let you stay up that late at the Senior Center?

**Eagle5US** · 07-26-2008, 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyobanim

They let you stay up that late at the Senior Center?

I buck the system and trade my applesauce for Levitra

Eagle

Guy · 07-26-2008, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle5US

I buck the system and trade my applesauce for Levitra

Eagle

DOS people are wondering why, I'm over here LMAO!!!

Stay safe.

Scimitar · 07-27-2008, 02:08

This may differ in SF, but is it not generally good manners to refer to an E8 MSG as "Master Sergeant" when initally meeting him and letting him (or her for that mater) advise you to drop it to just Sergeant?

Scimtar