Posted on Sep 3, 2021
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Whenever I respond to a post from an officer here on Rally Point I have thought about saying Brother to them but I feel strange about it. I guess it is because for the most part I respected officers when I was in and it has carried into my civilian life. Even the JROTC Colonel at my school I always said, "Sir" and addressed him as Colonel even though he told me I didn't have to. I just could never bring myself to call him Mike, or even Colonel Mike. Just wanting to see what others think about this. What are your thoughts on this. Officers, I would also like your point of view.
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Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 66
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Cpl Vic Burk I feel that use of those current/former military titles lends a modicum of decorum to Rally Point and represents a change from the casualness of today’s society, Facebook might be different, I dunno. USAA Insurance uses those same military titles for a reason!
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
Yes, USAA does use those military ranks to acknowledge our service and I appreciate it actually although certainly not anything I'd ever demand.
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SP5 Carl Hollander
A casual army shows casual respect . I never heard of that kind of army winning a war -
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LTC Jeffrey Fischer
You are so correct! I delt directly with Iraqi Officers (06-07 level) and this is seen throughout the ranks. My Iraqi Base Commander would Cringe every time I’d call him Sir, General, Saluted or even when I’d called the room to attention when he entered. I could not change this in over a year of trying. SP5 Carl Hollander
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At first it was difficult, but as a civilian, I have as much education and experience as many officers.
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SGT (Join to see)
Cpl Vic Burk - I agree! I still call people sir and ma'am who are 20 years younger than I. Lol!
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
I tend to use the words Sir or Mam anyway when talking to other people including those I actually outranked in term of Military grade or even civilians. I see it as respect for other people. Addressing by Military rank, I figure they earned that rank, I know what it means and I see It as acknowledging their achievement and a mutual respect. A lot of it to Me breaks down to being polite and having good manners. Myself, I prefer to be called by MY nickname Larry but certainly have no objection to being called Sir or even addressed by rank. As to education level as You mention , Yes I have as much also as many officers and all of us put in time and effort to obtain our degrees. I certainly developed the habit as a full time Cadet at a Military Academy to use the word Sir or mam and at another point as a Cadet in Civil Air Patrol, the USAF Auxiliary plus over Forty years in CAP as an adult officer.
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LCpl Sidney Green
SGT (Join to see) - I grew up in the south so I get it. Personally, I would say mister or miss, but only to someone over 30.
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Immediately upon discharge we are all promoted to the same rank, "civilian."
That said... my closest friend is a retired Marine 1stSgt. We did not know each other on active duty. But we:
_Fish together,
_Hunt together,
_Harvest firewood for heating our homes together,
_First call each other if we need help with a project, or are doing something where you need a "safety officer" or "battle buddy."
_Take family trips together, and
_We call each other by our former rank all the time EXCEPT when we are alone having a serious one on one discussion about heartfelt reality checks.
We both have other friends who are veterans but the rank thing is between the two of us.
That said... my closest friend is a retired Marine 1stSgt. We did not know each other on active duty. But we:
_Fish together,
_Hunt together,
_Harvest firewood for heating our homes together,
_First call each other if we need help with a project, or are doing something where you need a "safety officer" or "battle buddy."
_Take family trips together, and
_We call each other by our former rank all the time EXCEPT when we are alone having a serious one on one discussion about heartfelt reality checks.
We both have other friends who are veterans but the rank thing is between the two of us.
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LCpl Sidney Green
I get it. A friend of mine still refers to me as Marine -- in his drill instructor's voice.
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SP5 Bill Merritt
I feel a bit like Maj Bell, except in the other direction. Since getting out, and getting old, everybody seems like a peer to me. Former bosses, judges, teachers, ambassadors, and Officers. I achieved the lowly rank of E5 and now, through circumstances I wouldn’t have predicted, have become good friends with a retired 3-star. I was never in the same building with such a creature when I was on the inside but, now, we call each other Bill and Mike and enjoy one-another’s company. Our lives just went different ways, that’s all. Although, I gotta tell you, his war stories are a LOT better than mine.
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CPT Jerry Lucas
I served 21 years of active and reserve duty, both enlisted and commissioned. I've been retired for almost 25 years. Many of the people I served with have since passed away, and it seems like more do so every month. I have reached the point where I don't care if you call me by my name or by my rank, it is just nice to be alive and and be able share memories with my brothers and sisters in arms. I'm now well over the age of 60 with no chance of being recalled to active duty. Call me anything but late for lunch.
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