I am Army and may soon be attached to a Joint Forces HQ. How should I address Air Force NCOs?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 23:49:18 -0400

So I might soon be working at the Colorado National Guard Joint Foces HQ with the protection force. I have never really been around Air Force and I was curious how I should address Air Force NCOs, by their exact rank? Or how we do in the Army where E-5 through E-7/8 is Sergeant? Help please.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 11:55 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 23:55:26 -0400

Sergeat (E5) to Master Sergeant (E8) ... Just call Sergeant.
First Sergeant = First Sergeant
Command Sergeant Major or Sergeant Major = Sergeant Major

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 11:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 23:56:43 -0400

Well if you're in a room with some Airman, and you hear "stand by" get called out, that is their form of "at ease". I think (not 100%) but I believe their enlisted rank addressing is similar to the Marine Corp, as in it's the full rank instead of just sergeant. Be sure you ask around to the lower enlisted and get a feel of how it all works,when you get there.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 11:57 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 23:57:20 -0400

I guess I should've worded the title better, I am in the Army and want to know how I should address Air Force NCOs, I've never been around Air Force that much

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Jun 21 at 2016 12:53 AM

TSgt Joe C. — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 00:53:30 -0400

E-1 = Airman Basic (no stripes on sleeve)
E-2 = Airman ( 1 stripe)
E-3= Airman, First Class (2)
E-4 = Senior Airman (3)
E-5 = Staff Sergeant (4 stripes)
E-6 = Technical Sergeant (5)
E-7 = Master Sergeant (6)
E-8 = Senior Master Sergeant (7)
E-9 = Chief Master Sergeant (8)

Response by SFC Giancarlo Rici made Jun 21 at 2016 1:04 AM

SFC Giancarlo Rici — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 01:04:27 -0400

Take a min and learn their ranks! You address any NCO OFFICER... And so fourth by their RANK!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 21 at 2016 2:50 AM

PO1 John Miller — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 02:50:58 -0400

I worked for an Air National Guard Unit (contractor) at my last job.

While I obviously called everyone by first name, the Airmen did go by shortened rank:
E1-E4 - Airman
E5-E7 - Sergeant
E8 - Senior (if you know the person) or Senior Master Sergeant (I never heard an Air Force E8 get called just Sergeant)
E9 - Chief (short for Chief Master Sergeant)

Officers will be easy, just call them Sir/Ma'am, LOL...

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 5:47 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 05:47:38 -0400

Good question. I've been working in a joint forward deployed environment for almost three months, so I have some experience with this, but it is just the same principle as the army. There have been more descriptive answers so I won't beat the horse on this.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 7:45 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 07:45:46 -0400

That is great news. Being in the Joint Environment is the best experience you can have. If you get the chance to go to any Air Force Schools do it!

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Jun 21 at 2016 8:33 AM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 08:33:36 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member You show your professionalism by asking the question. Nice work. Capt Prickett has it right.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 9:03 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 09:03:26 -0400

By their rank usually works for me. However it is the Air Force so it may be as simple as using their first name.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Jun 21 at 2016 9:14 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 09:14:00 -0400

Aim High Big Sarge!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 9:29 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 09:29:01 -0400

Army addressing Air Force? Well with lots of respect.

Seriously, Capt Prickett answered you very well.

Response by GySgt Chuck Truitt made Jun 21 at 2016 9:44 AM

GySgt Chuck Truitt — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 09:44:58 -0400

Mister ha, ha, ha!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 11:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 11:11:58 -0400

Just talk to them brother...they are humans and know we speak different languages. They will be more than happy to educate you and it lets them know you don't mind asking for guidance when you are unsure of something. You won't seem ignorant or stupid, you'll appear a lot smarter.

Response by SrA Steve Chlebowski made Jun 21 at 2016 12:28 PM

SrA Steve Chlebowski — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 12:28:22 -0400

Although it is technically correct, calling a Senior Airman (E-4) simply "Airman" when addressing them directly is often interpreted as somewhat denigrating. Often that depends upon the tone of voice though and members of other services are typically given a pass on this. It would be the equivalent of calling a Specialist "Private"

Response by SGT Tracey "Tra" Cooper-Harris made Jun 21 at 2016 1:13 PM

SGT Tracey "Tra" Cooper-Harris — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 13:13:26 -0400

Address them by their rank. An Airman is an Airman (E1 through E4). I may be showing my age a bit, but there was a time they had E4 Sgt. I don't believe they do that anymore...

Sergeants are Sergeants until the have the diamond (1st Sgt) or star (Chief Master Sergeant). E7s or E8s can have a diamond.

Good question. I had to ask and learn. My MOS had me assigned to Army, Air Force, Navy, and deployed in support of Marines. Marines are stickers about their enlisted ranks and you will get chewed out for calling a E6 SSG "Sergeant".

You'll be fine.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 3:50 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 15:50:16 -0400

you can never go wrong with "sir"

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 21 at 2016 3:52 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 15:52:19 -0400

The bigger question is how do you figure out what all them stripes mean..... ;o)

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 3:57 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 15:57:59 -0400

Your best bet man, is to address them as you would an Army NCO. Learn the Rates and Ranks of each Branch of Service that you'll be working with (which typically would be all of them) and address each accordingly, offering the same customs and courtesies you would an Army leader. This both leaves a good taste in their mouths for the discipline and respect that the Army teaches, but also makes you look like a hotshot in front of some influential people. That can only work in your favor! Best of luck to you, brother!

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 21 at 2016 4:17 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 16:17:21 -0400

Simply as Sergeant. If they are Senior Master Sergeant do not abbreviate. Enjoy the tour!

Response by Sgt Jason Edwards made Jun 21 at 2016 6:21 PM

Sgt Jason Edwards — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 18:21:05 -0400

When in doubt, use the full rank. They will correct you if they don't like it.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 11:57 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 23:57:34 -0400

Study and know the rank structure. I would strongly recommend addressing them by their full rank when speaking directly to them, until they tell you it's okay. That will build your rapport with them quickly.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2016 6:01 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 18:01:04 -0400

learn their rank period

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2016 7:06 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 19:06:25 -0400

While deployed I worked with a lot of Navy folks, I just asked one of the PO1s and PO2s to help me out. When in doubt just ask.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2016 8:16 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 20:16:11 -0400

The only one that requires learning is the AF Chief (E-9), all else can be "Sir or Ma'am". And Chiefs require coffee every morning and fanning with banana leaves every afternoon after our nap/massage/tee time. Lol.

Capt Gregory Prickett Hit it right on the head perfectly.

But if you are working Joint, get thee a chart of all Services. They are pretty easy to come by and will save you a metric shit-ton of pain by not calling a Marine Gunny, "Sergeant" or a Senior Chief, "Seaman". Oh, the horror.

Response by SGT Matthew Reid made Jun 23 at 2016 6:24 PM

SGT Matthew Reid — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 18:24:07 -0400

Grab a chart of AF rank insignia. E-5 = SSG, E-6 = Tech Sergeant, address them as Sergeant. Above E-6, they are used to being addressed as Chief. Follow those guidelines you will be fine.

Response by SFC Sean Rabbitt made Jun 24 at 2016 6:44 AM

SFC Sean Rabbitt — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 06:44:28 -0400

Same as you would address NCOs and officers in the army. May want to review rank ID

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2016 8:56 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 20:56:34 -0400

Its a great opportunity. You will become a more well rounded soldier.