Posted on May 8, 2015
Was President Obama being disrespectful to General Dunford or General Dempsey?
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Is the President using first name basis with his subordinates in public disrespect for the servicemen, like with the Chief of Staff and Vice Chief of Staff nominations for General Dunford and General Demspey during their nominations.
He uses their rank and last name only a few times, but mostly sticks with using their first names.
One of the things I am reminded off by my superiors to the rest in the commands I have been in for the 12 years I have been in, is use rank and last name. If the person is above my rank, I have used their rank or in the Navy rating like OS2/AE3 insert last name, and with those I outrank or same rank of, I use their last name. I also don`t expect those below me to repeatably use my rating over and over in a lengthy conversation. As long as they start off with my rating with or without my last name.
I know in more informal settings, parties, out of uniform, not on duty, or away from the eyes of their seniors some people go by first name basis, but that is usually a trust between those individuals.
To me, President Obama was more disrespectful in the manner he was to familiar while in public and on camera.
He uses their rank and last name only a few times, but mostly sticks with using their first names.
One of the things I am reminded off by my superiors to the rest in the commands I have been in for the 12 years I have been in, is use rank and last name. If the person is above my rank, I have used their rank or in the Navy rating like OS2/AE3 insert last name, and with those I outrank or same rank of, I use their last name. I also don`t expect those below me to repeatably use my rating over and over in a lengthy conversation. As long as they start off with my rating with or without my last name.
I know in more informal settings, parties, out of uniform, not on duty, or away from the eyes of their seniors some people go by first name basis, but that is usually a trust between those individuals.
To me, President Obama was more disrespectful in the manner he was to familiar while in public and on camera.
Posted in these groups: 
Respect
Customs and Courtesies
Respect Customs and Courtesies
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 58
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My boss uses first names all the time. As a Colonel and my commander, he is afforded that privilege by tradition. With my mentees, I also use their first names. The POTUS as CiC, by tradition, is also afforded that level of latitude as to what to call subordinates. Granted, tradition also dictates you try not to do it in front of the troops though....
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SGT Anthony Bussing
simple fact...bush...was and is an idiot...the man cannot even form a simple sentence...if that offends your sensitivities...Im sorry...
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SFC (Join to see)
I have always reminded my Soldiers that our first names are SGT, SSG, SFC etc. then follow it up with "we aren't officers." EVERY officer I know, calls each other by their first names, it is the nature of the beast in their world and it is something that should make sense if you have been around it longer than a couple of days. It doesn't matter, as much as I may or may not like the current President, he DID come back down and salute the Marine after the coffee cup mistake. I do not verbalize my feelings in public forums though about POTUS. Bottom line is this, Officers use first names, Enlisted use first names and they are (I am Army so) - PFC - CSM.
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SGT Anthony Bussing
oh for goodness sake, dave...its a freaking internet social forum...get over yourself...and if you really think you are going to intimidate me...with words typed on a computer screen...then you really have another thing coming...lololol...I laugh in your general direction....oh...and also...save your down votes...they dont mean jack to me...have a really swell day....
and btw...I just need to know...
"Guarantee i will return fire if you decide to attempt intimidation here Or Otherwise. You wont find many 3x's who are easily intimidated, Guaranteed!"
is this a.....threat?? BWHAHAHAHAH....
and btw...I just need to know...
"Guarantee i will return fire if you decide to attempt intimidation here Or Otherwise. You wont find many 3x's who are easily intimidated, Guaranteed!"
is this a.....threat?? BWHAHAHAHAH....
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SGT Anthony Bussing
Logan, Im really hoping that you are directing this line of reasoning to this dude and not me
"By SSG David Gentile about 4 hours ago:
Sgt Bussing-if you want to be Fair Or Impartial, you Definitely Do NOT Denigrate a former POTUS, Especially by calling names or other comments which are inappropriate here. Guarantee i will return fire if you decide to attempt intimidation here Or Otherwise. You wont find many 3x's who are easily intimidated, Guaranteed!"
he seems MUCH MORE in need of a gentle talking to then I do...
"By SSG David Gentile about 4 hours ago:
Sgt Bussing-if you want to be Fair Or Impartial, you Definitely Do NOT Denigrate a former POTUS, Especially by calling names or other comments which are inappropriate here. Guarantee i will return fire if you decide to attempt intimidation here Or Otherwise. You wont find many 3x's who are easily intimidated, Guaranteed!"
he seems MUCH MORE in need of a gentle talking to then I do...
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Not at all! View it as a 1LT having discussions with a 2LT and using first name. Perfectly acceptable.
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Not at all. I think it was more a sign of respect. When a senior calls me by my first name I take it as a compliment and I do the same for my NCOs. If they have earned my respect and I have confidence in them I will call them by their first name when not in the presence of other seniors.
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CW4 (Join to see)
CW4 (Join to see) , there are easy ways to lead and build a good team. I can only hope I did it right. I have some great former Soldiers that are serving in greater capacity...I not-so-humbly feel that I had something to do with it. haha.
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CCMSgt Michael Sullivan Ph.D
I agree, I've had many officers call me by my first name or nick name. What I didn't appreciate was being call just by my last name in a close working environment. I had a Maj. one time do that for about a week, I finally told him he could call me by my first name or nick name, but if he was calling me by my last name there better be a rank in front of it, I worked hard for it and deserved that respect.
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