Posted on Jul 12, 2021
Why do so many MSGs insist on being addressed as Master Sergeant?
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AR 600-20 is clear. The title of address for a MSG is "Sergeant." My personal opinion is that the majority of MSGs that insist on it do so because of their ego. The remainder is just ignorance.
EDIT: There have been a lot of responses from folks of various services, so let me make it clear (if it wasn't already) that this question pertains to Master Sergeants in the United States Army. I don't hold any grudge with people who address them as "Master Sergeant" out of respect. I usually just make a gentle correction and move on. My question SPECIFICALLY addresses those individuals who (presumably knowing better) INSIST on being addressed in a manner that is out of line with regulation and what their motivation could be for doing so. Many responses are some variation of "They've earned it" but that doesn't hold much water with me. By the time an NCO makes MSG, they should be secure enough in their career and position to not need constant affirmation of their rank.
EDIT: There have been a lot of responses from folks of various services, so let me make it clear (if it wasn't already) that this question pertains to Master Sergeants in the United States Army. I don't hold any grudge with people who address them as "Master Sergeant" out of respect. I usually just make a gentle correction and move on. My question SPECIFICALLY addresses those individuals who (presumably knowing better) INSIST on being addressed in a manner that is out of line with regulation and what their motivation could be for doing so. Many responses are some variation of "They've earned it" but that doesn't hold much water with me. By the time an NCO makes MSG, they should be secure enough in their career and position to not need constant affirmation of their rank.
Army Regulations
Customs and Courtesies
NCOs
MSG
Edited 3 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 306
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As a retired MSG, I don't care what you call me. Never did. Most of my troops called me Sargn't Hutch.
I have been called many things, some not so nice.
Call me anything, just call me in time for beer-call.
I have been called many things, some not so nice.
Call me anything, just call me in time for beer-call.
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SGM (Join to see)
Sgt Bob Corridan - The USMC and Army have always done it those two different ways.
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SGM (Join to see)
SSgt Michael Bowen - I wouldn’t correct you for that, but I would speak to you privately, just so you knew the correct way.
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SSgt Michael Bowen
SGM (Join to see) - There is nothing incorrect in my way, there for nothing to be so called corrected privately nor publicly. I understand my rank is only SSgt but my service spans over 30 years . That is by choice I liked what I was doing . Marines in 72 and Army from 83 there after to sept 2008. On Active duty for every war and reserves when there wasn’t. And at no time was my coming back on active duty ever denied or even questioned . I was good at what I did and my Army mos was 13F30. My last combat tour got me a medical evacuation to Germany and then sent to Walter reed for surgery and a med board retirement. I am very familiar with how to address a person by their rank . And do it correctly.
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Because they feel entitled would be my guess. I always called them Sergeant...especially if it upset them.
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TSgt (Join to see)
CSM Mike Oldsen
Posted >1 y ago
Because they feel entitled would be my guess. I always called them Sergeant...especially if it upset them.
Hehehe then I would consider your a real Command Sgt Maj and not jst another E9.
Posted >1 y ago
Because they feel entitled would be my guess. I always called them Sergeant...especially if it upset them.
Hehehe then I would consider your a real Command Sgt Maj and not jst another E9.
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1SG James Kelly
CSM (Join to see) - I talk to God and I try not to piss him off; he has a good sense of humor.
;)
;)
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When I first made MSG, it was other Soldiers that insisted on saying, "Master Sergeant". I was constantly correcting individuals and it became annoying. But I realized that from those Soldiers towards me was a sign of respect. I would never require anyone to call me "Master Sergeant", but in that respect I think is one of the ways traditions change. Any MSG that requires people to call them "Master Sergeant", except in the situation of differentiation, is in the wrong and is projecting an ego trip. However, from the bottom up when Soldiers say "Master Sergeant Such-n-such", from my experience it has been a sign of respect. If you wanna be called Master Sergeant on a regular, join the Marines. Cause you don't call a Staff Sergeant, "Sergeant", and you don't call a Master Gunnery Sergeant, "Sergeant" in the Marines, their culture is different. So until the Army culture changes, AR 600-20 is clear, so fold your feelings up, put 'em in your rucksack and keep it moving.
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SFC (Join to see)
CSM Carlson C. - not about being friends, and I am not sure where you think my interpretation of responses came from. I spent 24 years in the military, and I will not walk around blind thinking or acting like double standards did not happen. If you want to that's you. Also, it is not about quoting regulations; you can do that all day; it is about your actions setting the standard, not being a part of the problem but the solution. There isn't mentorship anymore at the senior level.
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MSG Andrew Selking
I agree with you. I never insisted that people call me Master Sergeant, but some people did.
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