After your term of service, do you have a hard time not calling the rank of your first line supervisor or known rank?

PFC James (LURCH) Janota — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 15:37:09 -0500

I sometimes talk to my first line supervisor. Even after almost 30 years after my ETS, I still have the gut feeling to call someone by their rank. Especially my first line supervisor.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jan 30 at 2019 4:48 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 16:48:58 -0500

Yes, it is made harder by those who knew my grade call me SGM or CSM. Although I have to admit I do not have that urge with managers that I do not think carry their positions well. Thank you for your service.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Jan 30 at 2019 5:25 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 17:25:43 -0500

Same here, and to this very day. I've been a civilian again now for longer than I was in the military, and it's still an odd feeling to address my supervisor and superiors by their first name with no title or rank in there.

Response by SGT Chris Padgett made Jan 30 at 2019 6:26 PM

SGT Chris Padgett — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 18:26:36 -0500

I had the opposite situation. While in the reserves, I had an employee that I knew was in the reserves also (actually one of many reasons I hired him). I also knew he was a field grade officer, but he was assigned to a unit 50 or so miles from the area.
One day he comes in and tells me that he got word that he will become a battalion commander soon, but nothing was set in stone.
Next drill, I see Ted walking around with the CSM. I approached him and said "Hey Ted!, What you doing here?" The CSM wanted to go nuts, but Ted laughed and told him it was all good, I was probably the only one there who could that. The Co that I was assigned to was at a remote location from the rest of the Bn, so I never really saw or interacted much with Ted.
But, I cold never bring myself to calling him anything other than Ted.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Jan 30 at 2019 6:33 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 18:33:15 -0500

Maybe because I was a draftee and served 2 years, I never had that feeling

Response by SGT Keith Williford made Jan 30 at 2019 9:44 PM

SGT Keith Williford — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 21:44:13 -0500

If the individual was higher ranked than me I still call them by their rank, chief, or Sir/Ma’am. After 21 years it’s hard to get that out of my system

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2019 11:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 23:22:09 -0500

I'm still in touch with my first CSM. He is long since retired but I still address him as CSM. To me, it is my way of showing respect.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jan 31 at 2019 11:53 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 11:53:14 -0500

Yes it's hard to call folks by their first names when they were always SGM so and so or Top. I work on post and many of the CSMs and Officers I knew as a young Soldier up to my retirement work here in some capacity or other. Even though they have told me to call them Bill, Julius or whatever they will always be in my mind Sergeant Major or Colonel.

I run into this when I see one of my old Soldiers and they call me everything from Sergeant Saint to Top or Sergeant Major depending on when we served together. I have just given up on telling them to call me Richard.

Response by 1SG Jason Rose made Feb 1 at 2019 2:52 AM

1SG Jason Rose — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 02:52:00 -0500

In my opinion you have this thing you learned while you served and still carry with you today. It’s called respect. Please continue to share with everyone around you, especially the younger generation. Good habits should not be broken. Thanks for serving!