Posted on Apr 20, 2015
How do you address enlisted personnel respectfully?
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I have addressed enlisted personnel with "sir or ma'am" and have been corrected with responses such as "I am not a sir... I work for a living" etc. Seems a little passively hostile at times. How would you address someone whom you have established a relationship with but still want to show respect and maintain professionalism? Just by Rank and last name?
Posted in these groups: 
Rank
Professionalism
Rank Professionalism
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 33
CPT (Join to see) Ma'am. I would say the correct way to address enlisted is Rank and Last name. I know you are trying to show respect and anyone should not be offended when being called sir or ma'am. I just think some SM's are used to being presented as SFC So and So or PV2 Fluffybunny etc... and it is a tradition to be called by Rank and Last name.
Just my thoughts though.
Just my thoughts though.
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LCDR (Join to see)
Agreed Rank and last name like Petty Officer Wright or Chief Wright (or just Chief) when I was enlisted.
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SGT Mary G.
Agree that rank and last name keeps it respectful and professional. Kind of thinking that in a cohesive unit, at least a minimal amount of two way respect exists between and among SM - regardless of rank - until proven otherwise. Perhaps in some cases as an officer, ma'am, depending on circumstances and your job duties, referring to an enlisted SM by first name might convey your intention.
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Thank you for sharing everyone! This butter bar is still trying to figure things out :)
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SrA Edward Vong
Did they attach you to a SrNCO to learn from them? or are they just having you float around?
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CPT (Join to see)
I am still in the reserves and have an NCO recruiter who answers my questions until AD.
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CDR (Join to see)
It can be confusing as to "why" certain things happen. Sometimes the answer is just, "because that is how we've always done it." However, the "sir" or "ma'am" only being for officers is not showing a lack of respect for enlisted. (And sometimes an officer being addressed as "sir" is more of habit than respect!)
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I address them by their rank and last name at all times. If discipline is in order one day, you'll be glad you kept that way! Never show favoritism, if you do it for one, you need to do it for all!
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