What are your thoughts on Honorary Titles for Individuals?

Cpl Tou Lee Yang — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 22:09:18 -0400

Honorary Navy Chief was bestowed upon Gary Sinise. I admire him and love to watch him in many different movies, especially Forrest Gump. But why Honorary "Chief" instead of Sailor? Like the Marine Corps bestowed upon many civilian the Honorary title of "Marine" as it did to Gary Sinise, why can't the Navy do the same instead of giving him an Honorary rank? Does that mean a Navy Chief Petty Officer is so much better than everyone else in the Navy? I just find it fascinating that a rank such as "Chief" would be so revered and put on a pedestal as to informed everyone else that they're better than those who are not of the same rank.

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=69227

MCPON Names Gary Sinise Honorary Chief

Actor, humanitarian and musician, Gary Sinise, was named an honorary chief petty officer during a ceremony held at the U

Response by SCPO Joshua I made Aug 19 at 2015 10:13 PM

SCPO Joshua I — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 22:13:26 -0400

The responsibility of a Chief is very different from the responsibility of any other Sailor of a different grade.

Good call by the MCPON.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 20 at 2015 7:14 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 07:14:23 -0400

Each Service has different "cultural" attributes. For the Marines, the title of Marine comes first, and when Gary Sinise was named an Honory Marine, there was no need to imply a rank. The title is that valuable to US. It has that much weight.

For the Navy, the rank of Chief, as that much weight for them. That isn't to say the title of Sailor doesn't, but it's a Subjective Comparison.

When bestowing Honorary Titles, they have to be "Special" from both the Giver's & Recipient's side.

As an example, R. Lee Ermy, was the first Marine to receive an Honorary Promotion (to GySgt, from SSgt). We couldn't make him an Honorary Marine, because he already is one, but we could acknowledge him in a different way.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 20 at 2015 7:49 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 07:49:48 -0400

If someone, especially someone who supports the military and represents the values we believe and the do so in a way such as Gary Sinese then they should have an honorary title

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 8:09 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 08:09:01 -0400

Honorary titles are just that-honorary. It's a way of acknowledging someone's contributions relative to their impact. You might call a very prominent and beloved educator "Doctor" because their influence guided many who earned the title. The Navy recognized Mr. Sinise's impact as an advocate for veterans in need...I think most of the senior enlisted sailors here will agree with me that this symbolically parallels the focus of the Chief's Mess on developing and mentoring junior shipmates.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Aug 23 at 2015 1:36 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 13:36:25 -0400

Let's start off is that it does not make anyone else in the Navy feel less. The Chief has more responsibility then I will fully know. But I do know that when I joined my goal was to become a Chief. After reading through your rants on here and alot of your statment you have no understanding of the Chief rank and how the Navy works. It also seems like you are disgruntled about something.

Response by SSG(P) D. Wright Downs made Aug 24 at 2015 4:07 PM

SSG(P) D. Wright Downs — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 16:07:44 -0400

'When everyone is somebody, no one is anybody." Don't know who said it first, but i often think of that when people are given honorary degrees, titles, and such. It makes true individual achievement less important.
The person who is given the Honorarium is known for his/her special accomplishments and they do not have to be recognized by others...it is like giving every kid on the block a trophy just for living there.

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Sep 5 at 2015 3:21 PM

Cpl James Waycasie — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 15:21:51 -0400

To be honest, I do not recognize "Honorary titles" except for the one given to the child who showed determination in fighting a disease for his life. A situation like that I understand, but giving grown individuals an "Honorary" title, lol, it's just a piece of paer. If they didn't earn it, it's not really theirs.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 6 at 2015 12:24 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 12:24:42 -0400

Yes! :)

Response by Sgt Bonnie Shaw made Oct 29 at 2015 4:38 PM

Sgt Bonnie Shaw — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 16:38:57 -0400

I think its a nice thing to do to honor someone who has given so much support to our cause. There is a civilian here where I live that throws a luncheon every year for local Marine friends he knows. Never asks for a dime to pay for any of it. He has made it his life mission to assist the Marines and Marine Recruiters with recruiting and knows more Marine Corps history and information than most Marines I know. He is a tremendous person which a huge heart and I wish we could do this for him. We tried about 10 years ago, but were turned down. We gave him a polo shirt with the Emblem on it with a caption saying "Member of the Family". He even refused to wear that and framed it instead. He said, he didn't earn the title, so he isn't worthy to wear the EGA. Love him.