How would you address an NCO in all branches? Would you call them Sir/Ma'am? How about in boot camp?

Will Boyd — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 11:35:23 -0400

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2017 11:39 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 11:39:14 -0400

Well I cannot say about the other branches but in the Army you address and NCO by his rank of Sergeant, Sergeant Major etc. and in boot most post you call them Drill Sergeant, but I know back in 1992 at Leonardwood, if you called your drill, drill sergeant they would yell at you and say "I know I'm a drill sergeant" "you call me sergeant" .

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2017 11:49 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 11:49:28 -0400

Will Boyd Here is a previous discussion that addressed this topic. In Boot Camp/Basic training, listen and observe, and you will be informed of what to call the NCOs.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-is-the-proper-way-to-address-ncos-in-different-branches

What is the proper way to address NCOs in different branches? | RallyPoint

As an E-4 in the Army, how would I go about addressing an E-7 in the Marine Corps or another branch? They call them Sir, do we as well? Reason I asked I'm watching recruits from the USMC boot camp calling NCO's Sir/Ma'am, and for the Army we would call the cadre by their rank... But it was clarified below

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Oct 19 at 2017 12:19 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 12:19:50 -0400

We don't do that in the Army. We call a NCO "Sergeant" or "Sergeant Major" and only call officers "sir or ma'am."

The other branches seem to call NCOs sir or ma'am. The Air Force does (and they love first name basis). The Marines call their DIs sir or ma'am.

When I went to basic at Leonardwood in 2004 we called our drill sergeants Drill Sergeant.

Response by MSG Bob Metz made Oct 19 at 2017 1:26 PM

MSG Bob Metz — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 13:26:10 -0400

By their rank...NCOs are not addressed as Sir or Ma’am...these are reserved for addressing Officers...

Response by SGT Jim Ramge, MBA made Oct 19 at 2017 3:35 PM

SGT Jim Ramge, MBA — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 15:35:37 -0400

Can never go wrong with Soldier, Airman, Sailor or Marine if you do not know anyone’s rank... If you do not recognize or know, then ask after you have addressed as such. No one can ding you for that... Once you’ve been taught, you’d better know! Common sense will show your lack of knowledge by looking at your collar...

To better gain some knowledge, study well if you’d like to be well-rounded!

https://www.defense.gov/About/Insignias/

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Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Oct 19 at 2017 4:13 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 16:13:51 -0400

I've always addressed NCOs as either sergeant (SGT-SFC), master sergeant, first sergeant, or sergeant major (SGM & CSM). In basic you must say drill sergeant. I know in other services like the marines you address by full rank. The airforce follows the same conventions as the army, but the ranks differ. I'm pretty sure saying petty officer for e-4 through e-6 is fine and you use chief, senior chief and master chief for e-7, e-8, and e-9 respectively.

Response by SSgt Donnavon Smith made Oct 19 at 2017 4:19 PM

SSgt Donnavon Smith — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 16:19:18 -0400

I was raised to say Sir ma'am and still do let it slip to people I respect to this day. I despise the BS that "dont call me sir I work for a living". Look I know the term for addressing everyone, but ingrained courtesy still slips out on occasion.

Response by TSgt Bruce Davis made Oct 20 at 2017 9:34 AM

TSgt Bruce Davis — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 09:34:21 -0400

why wouldn't you just use their proper rank first, then if they tell you to something else (in some cases they may have a call sign) then use that, if you are going to be working in casual areas for long periods of time. just remember to keep it professional and remember your surroundings! what might be O.K. in a work area might not be perceived the same in an open area like the Exchange or the food court!

Boot Camp is a whole 'nother world...they will let you know what to address them by!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2017 1:13 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 13:13:05 -0400

I think I've got the ranks down for the other branches, recognizing the Navy ones is still a bit hard but I know the structure. So if I were addressing an Air Force Staff Sergeant or Technical Sergeant I would say Sergeant, if they have a Chevron then Master Sergeant, if they have 3 Chevrons I'll say Chief Master Sergeant, and if they have a Diamond then it's First Sergeant. I think the Air Force types call them "First Shirts" as a nickname like we call our First Sergeant "Top".

If it's Marines it's almost the same as the Army, except that they call their Sergeants by their full rank. In the Army a Sergeant (E5) - Master Sergeant (E8) can be called Sergeant, though if you respect your Master Sergeant you'll call them Master Sergeant instead. First Sergeant and up we call them by rank which of course is only First Sergeant, Sergeant Major, and Command Sergeant Major not to forget the SMA. In the Marines a Staff Sergeant is called Staff Sergeant, pretty simple.

For the Navy, I think I just call anyone with a Chevron which for the Navy is inverted a Petty Officer but as they're an NCO not an Officer I'll stand at Parade Rest until instructed otherwise. Once it looks like an inverted Staff Sergeants rank I know it's a Chief Petty Officer, so probably, "Yes Chief" or "No Chief" after that it has a star above it so it's Senior Chief I do believe, then it's Master Chief. If I'm in doubt, I'll call the Senior Chief a Master Chief and get corrected good to go.

Warrant Officers, too easy. Sir, Ma'am, Chief if they're CW2 or higher. I might say Mr. or Ms. in reference for them, for example, "Go speak to Ms. Woods about your packet" in reference to a WO1.

Boot Camp, ok, a Drill Sergeant is a Drill Sergeant that's it in the Army. They might be an E5 - E7. If they're an E6 or E7 they might be a Senior Drill Sergeant. Sometimes the Boots call them "Senior" as a nickname. Week 9 you might even be able to get away with calling your SDS Senior. The Marines, their Drill Instructors are Sir and Ma'am. Don't know what the Navy and Air Force does, but I doubt it's Sir or Ma'am.

Military is simple, if it shines it's Sir or Ma'am, if it doesn't it's probably Sergeant/Chief, then followed by last name. I don't know what this first name stuff is, that's weird.

Response by Sgt Brian Kellogg made Nov 17 at 2017 12:27 PM

Sgt Brian Kellogg — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 12:27:37 -0500

In boot camp, anything above a worm is "Sir"