I am curious, how do Marines react when another branch calls them "Gunny"?

SrA Johnathan Kropke — Tue, 26 May 2015 14:27:47 -0400

Response by SSG Harper Peterson made May 26 at 2015 2:28 PM

SSG Harper Peterson — Tue, 26 May 2015 14:28:43 -0400

If the Marine is in fact a Gunnery Sergeant it's fine.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 26 at 2015 2:47 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Tue, 26 May 2015 14:47:56 -0400

No reaction at all SrA Johnathan Kropke! It is totally acceptable!! :-)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 2:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 14:51:40 -0400

I have always acted under the assumption that you address them as "Gunnery Sergeant" unless they say it is fine. I normally address them as GySgt, and then ask "may I call you Gunny?" Most haven't minded.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 26 at 2015 3:20 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 26 May 2015 15:20:45 -0400

It's generally "Top" you have to worry about more than Gunny.

And never call a Marine with rockers Sergeant, or any Marine "Sarge."

Response by SPC David S. made May 26 at 2015 4:12 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 26 May 2015 16:12:55 -0400

Best to ask if Gunny is good, otherwise full rank and name.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 26 at 2015 4:31 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Tue, 26 May 2015 16:31:23 -0400

Truth be told SrA Johnathan Kropke, I was called "Gunny" for most of my career.

In 1983, I was a Staff Sergeant with a year in grade when I was assigned as a Detachment Commander on the Marine Security Guard program. "Embassy Marines" as the name implies, are stationed at our embassies and consulates. State Department employees (as well as employees of other government agencies) at embassies consider the top Marine in the detachment to be "Gunny" -- I learned real quick that it was a losing battle to correct them.

Prior to being made a Detachment Commander myself, I served as a Marine Security Guard at another embassy --- our Detachment Commander (actually the title was NCOIC at that time) was a Master Sergeant. I remember that even he gave up telling people to stop calling him "Gunny" ...

Response by TSgt David L. made May 26 at 2015 4:36 PM

TSgt David L. — Tue, 26 May 2015 16:36:31 -0400

I don't know how a normal Marine reacts, but our tech school is owned/managed by the USN and staffed by all four services, so we had marines, Gunnys included as staff and in some cases students. So we called a Gunny "Gunny".
I taught at our schoolhouse for 6 years so I personally knew all ranks, Os and Es, and had Gunnys as friends. I called them Gunny at work and I think they accepted that as it was appropriate to the rank. No biggie.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made May 26 at 2015 5:06 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Tue, 26 May 2015 17:06:42 -0400

I've known enough Marines to say that a Gunnery Sergeant won't mind being called "Gunny," but not all First Sergeants (Army or Marines) like being called "Top."

Response by SFC Joseph James made May 26 at 2015 5:15 PM

SFC Joseph James — Tue, 26 May 2015 17:15:35 -0400

In the Artillery the Gun Bunnies call the the E7s "Smoke" and E6s either "Gunny" or "Chief". I was a FISTER Chief as an E6 (13F)

Response by SSG John Erny made May 26 at 2015 5:21 PM

SSG John Erny — Tue, 26 May 2015 17:21:45 -0400

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad,

I don't know about gunny but parachute rigger school is taught by all branches of service. My instructor was Marine SSG with both gold wings and a scuba badge, he was also a certified bad ass, his arms were bigger than most peoples legs.

First day in class we new PVT's sound of with Yes SGT, he screams what the hell did you just call me, I say "SGT?" He says, "oh, you just did it again!" He then explained that he was a SSG and that is how we would address him. We then get instructed on how to do bends and thrusts.

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made May 26 at 2015 6:35 PM

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA — Tue, 26 May 2015 18:35:53 -0400

I haven't had Marine E-7 I've encountered have a problem being called "Gunny".

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 7:17 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 19:17:14 -0400

That is his/her rank, shortened respectfully. You are not calling him/her "big guy" or "sugar". Also, "Marine", "Marines", and "Gunny" are always capitalized.

I have never had a Gunny correct me. And trust me, one would know if one had been corrected. :)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 7:17 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 19:17:19 -0400

You mean this all time it is Gunny and not Bunny?!?

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made May 26 at 2015 7:33 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Tue, 26 May 2015 19:33:47 -0400

We had Marines as instructors and students in weather tech school. The Gunnery Sergeants were perfectly fine with being called Gunny. The problem as others have said is referring to anyone with more than three stripes as a Sergeant. The reason being Sergeant is a specific rank therefor calling anyone else a Sergeant is essentially demoting them. I am not sure why the Army isn't the same, I guess they are just a little more laid back.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 1:01 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 01:01:40 -0400

I call MC E-7s Gunny. If it bothers any of them, I have zero doubt they will correct me. I also call Navy E-8s "Senior," etc. They're all accomplished adults with enough confidence to do a high-pressure job, so I don't think they'd hesitate to say something.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made May 27 at 2015 1:06 AM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Wed, 27 May 2015 01:06:43 -0400

That was always one of the things that messed me up with talking to people in other branches because in the Marines we call our nco's by specific ranks not just Sergeant, so like one time I tried to say "good afternoon Sgt first class" but it sounded so wrong because it's so long.

Response by PO2 Skip Kirkwood made May 27 at 2015 7:24 AM

PO2 Skip Kirkwood — Wed, 27 May 2015 07:24:59 -0400

"Gunny" is a term of respect, as is "Master Guns." Not for a formal situation - in front of the CO or visiting dignitaries it is "Gunnery Sergeant Smith."

At least in this Corpsman's experience.....

Response by LTC John Wilson made May 28 at 2015 3:46 PM

LTC John Wilson — Thu, 28 May 2015 15:46:18 -0400

I should hope NOT... they EARNED it!

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 7:45 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 19:45:46 -0400

I think this falls in the same realm as calling our E-8s "Senior" instead of Senior Chief. If I dont know or work with them at the same command it's always a safe bet to say the full title rather than truncate it. It's usually more pleasent to be corrected by them saying "just call me Gunny or Senior" then the alternative.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2016 2:10 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 14:10:14 -0400

I have never seen one Gunny mind being called Gunny.

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made Jul 19 at 2019 12:18 AM

SSG Byron Howard Sr — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 00:18:51 -0400

I was Army stationed on an AF Base and had a Gunny as a boss. Always called him Gunny