Is it unprofessional to call a higher ranking military member by his first name in civilian setting?

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 04:30:47 -0400

So i was talking to my CMSgt about a unprofessional relation issue we had in my unit and if both of us were apart of a civilian organization that had its own internal rank structure that it was ok to call him by his first name. He was on the other side saying that should never be allowed to call him anything other then Chief. I stated that I am a leader in a civilian organization and that we had member from each military branch in the ranks of E1 to O7 and many civilians. We address each other using our own internal ranks not the military ranks. He stated that that was unprofessional and who correct someone who was violation military policy. I told we all look out for each other to prevent a member from violation military regulations. Like having your uniform on if our organization was doing something that could be might be connected with a political position we would ask the member to change out of uniform.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 6 at 2015 4:53 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 04:53:55 -0400

Active/Reserve divide.

When I was with MSTP, we had reservists who were contractors who were reservists & retirees who had ranks significantly higher than me. Unless they were in uniform, they were called 'Wayne or Bill or Tom.'

It was because our Professional relationship was not a military one in that instance, but that of Contract/contractor. When the uniform was on, all normal military coutesies were rendered. But when in civilian attire, they were NOT 'acting' in a military capacity.

That said, we had 4x Senior Mentors who were General Officers who were contractors who were paid in a GO capacity, and they were called General.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jun 6 at 2015 8:22 AM

LTC John Shaw — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 08:22:02 -0400

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS nailed it in his reply.

No, if it NOT unprofessional to call me by my first name in civilian setting.
I find that people who expect this in off duty status:
1) Are used to active duty and need to adjust to their new civilian status
2) Speaks to the insecurity of the individual who holds the higher rank

I have been in the KYNG and Army Reserve for 28 years. When I am not in duty status, I don't expect my rank to be used in addressing me, even if the person is a member of my unit and they are 'subordinate' to me for purposes of the Army Reserve.

99.9% of the time my personnel will use military courtesy anyway until I say, please call me John.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 4:34 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 16:34:44 -0400

Believe it's about balance. What's the preponderance of your relationship? Are you traditional reservists and the rank is fairly close (e.g., both NCOs, both CGO or FGO)? First names are no issue.

If there's a great disparity between ranks/responsibilities, I would stick with ranks over first name -- and definitely this case if you work full-time in the service together.

Generally when people are full time and peers but of different ranks, what I find is that nothing is used -- names or ranks. It just becomes conversations involving eye contact or proximity. If you have to talk *about* the senior person, you use their full name (John Smith) or the name the other person would best know them by (Chairman Mao).