Posted on Nov 22, 2016
Where can I find the regulatory guidance for the proper way for a commissioned officer to address an NCO?
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I have an Officer who insists on addressing NCOs by their first name. Several have professionally expressed that they feel this is unprofessional and the response is, "There is nothing stating that I can't call you by your first name." I have not been able to find anything specific outlining this.
Customs and Courtesies
Protocol
Professionalism
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 85
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In the Navy its either Petty Officer or Chief. Ive had officer who addressed me by my first name in private, because of knowing them, because either having served with before, or them being prior enlisted.. But this is something that should never been done in public. There is a line between officer and enlisted and I believe calling an NCO by his first name in public, crosses that line and is a bad example for junior troops
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MCPO Kurt Stauff
When I was an SCPO and MCPO, even when I was at a casual gathering, my subordinates either called me "Senior" or "Master Chief", no exceptions. They knew I would not have allowed it.
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CPO David Sharp
Roger that Master Chief, I would feel uncomfortable addressing you any other way. This goes even after years of knowing a person from a retired standpoint. The Rank and Honor has been earned and always should be respected and acknowledged.
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This is a first for me. To this day I can't get officers I worked with to call me by my first name. They all still call me Chief. While still in the Air Force I had some officers try to call me by my first name. I usually requested they address me by my proper title. That usually solved it. A few called me Scotty, when in private, but they were usually Commanders who I respected greatly & it did not bother me. Never in front of the Airmen. Sounds like an officer who doesn't realize the effort & sacrifice it takes to earn rank.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
1stSgt Chris Schmidt - I guess on thinking back I've had some of the same sort of experience also as a First Sergeant at one point. In other Senior NCO positions that also seemed to happen but mostly in all cases as one on one not in front of others. Of course I didn't address them by their first names, that didn't seem proper not even one on one.
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Speak to your senior command NCO "off the record" with the details. A command NCO will talk to the CO and a good CO will remind the junior officers how to address subordinates in a professional manner.
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In every service, there are documents and regulations that keep mutual respect in mind, as well as phrases and words that might easily pass as fraternization; I got into leadership positions early in my Naval career, but I never allowed my juniors to call me by my first name. It was sometimes uncomfortable as I rose up in the chain of command, as my senior enlisted tended to call me by my first name in private, never in public, because I was more their age and life experience. When I was the most senior enlisted on the command, I would allow the CO and XO to call be by my first name in private, and I would never reciprocate, unless they insisted, as long as it would pass scrutiny as not being construed as favoritism. I would advise a commander to eschew calling anyone by their first name in public, and would remind them of the rules on fraternization, as they were developed to promote command cohesiveness.
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Who cares? This really sounds petty. You should feel lucky that the officer took the time to learn and remember your first name, Id consider it a compliment and only makes him seem more personalable. I find this far better than an officer thats disconnected
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PO2 Robert Cuminale
I saw three E-6s I worked with and for promoted to Chief Petty Officer. Despite being on a first name basis or surname basis on their first day in the office with their new khakis I addressed them as "Chief". They'd worked hard for that promotion and deserved the respect due them. Even in a recreational setting like a picnic they were still "Chief".
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MSgt (Join to see)
Obviously the OP cares. It is an issue of respect. If the officer does not respect the wishes of the NCO, especially after being requested to use the earned title, then I would start to wonder if that person has another agenda. It can cause a breakdown in communications if the NCO starts feeling uneasy about the situation. The professional thing to do is to address others by their title. So, from your perspective you don't see it as an issue. But, you must consider the perspectives of others, look at the larger picture and see what the consequences that this situation can cause. Especially now that you, yourself, are an NCO and may have, or will have, subordinates that work under you.
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SSgt Kevin Hopkins
Personally I think it gives an appearance of respect if the officer can talk to an NCO on a 1 to 1 basis. I also think theres a time and place for everything. First names wouldnt be appropriate in a formal military setting or if that NCO made the officer aware he wasnt comfortable being addressed by his first name
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Politely and consistently ignore him. When he calls you on it, apologize and tell him of your confusion since you have gotten used to being respected enough by others to be addressed by your sir name especially since you don't know if there are any others with your first name which you only respond to when the women in your life use it. This worked for me
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This is like an NCO refusing to call an Officer "Sir" and instead using his rank, or the abbreviation like L T. It goes both ways.
Now if a senior officer who has known the Sergeant a long time calls the NCO by his first name it is not a professional thing to do in a public setting. For a Junior Officer to do so publicly are really not that smart when the NCO objects.
Now if a senior officer who has known the Sergeant a long time calls the NCO by his first name it is not a professional thing to do in a public setting. For a Junior Officer to do so publicly are really not that smart when the NCO objects.
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I had a Lt that called me by my first name when i was his Plt Sgt but never in front of other soldiers if you dont like it tell them if they dont change then take it up the chain of command
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I would mention it to another officer that you find it unprofessional. He may take it a lot better from a peer.
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I serve for 39 years, during all this time there was only 3 way's to address and NCO "Sergeant" "1SG" and "SGM"
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CSM Charles Hayden
1SG (Join to see) Please do not address me as ‘SMAG’! Not even the General! One of his aides did once!
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