Posted on Sep 28, 2015
An Army Captain damned well will salute a Navy Captain. Doesn't the Army teach sister services' ranks in boot?
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So my son's friend joined the Army several months ago. My son and he are pretty much best friends, and he's a good kid. Recently, he was arguing with my son about an Army Captain not having to salute the Naval version because they're "the same rank". My son, who has spent his life listening to me muse about the vagaries of the Navy, knew better and corrected his friend.
This made me wonder if the Army doesn't teach recruits other service's ranks in boot? In my day, the Navy made us learn them all. Is this not common across all 5 services?
This made me wonder if the Army doesn't teach recruits other service's ranks in boot? In my day, the Navy made us learn them all. Is this not common across all 5 services?
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 212
Edited 1 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
When I was an Army Captain it was always enjoyable when I had to contact a naval station or base about something SN Greg Wright. Whenever I said my name and rank as CPT Ford they assumed CAPT Ford and the tone of the conversation changed to their obvious demonstration of respect for a Navy VIP [O-6 is considered VIP officially]. I would always tell them I was an Army Captain but it was interesting to see how the difference in rank made so much impact. :-)
FYI ]CDR (Join to see)CDR Andrew McMenamin, PhD SPC James Ward
FYI ]CDR (Join to see)CDR Andrew McMenamin, PhD SPC James Ward
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1SG Dean Mcbride (MPER) (CPHR)
6 mo
I was a Master Sergeant in Hawaii as the Director of PNCOC for the 25th Infantry Division. My wife was an Army Nurse (Captain) at Tripler Army Medical Center. Sometimes we would go to the Navy Officers Club for dinner (less chance of uncomfortable encounters with Army officers (who we knew) at the Army Officers Clubs). When I called for reservations, due to it being the Officer's Club, I would need to make them in my wife's name. I would announce myself as Master Sergeant McBride calling to make a reservation for Captain McBride. After the first time of encountering confusion, I changed the request verbage to making a reservation for "Army" Captain McBride... I think they appreciated the open honesty over the Army Captains that tried to get preferential treatment...
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PO2 Doreen Chapman
6 mo
We had a Marine CPT as the scheduler at the Navy Weapons Training Facility I was at in Puerto Rico. She loved her rank until she got promoted to MAJ. It was like she got a promotion and demotion the same day.
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Sgt Michael Clifford
3 mo
Don't know about today but in the 60's when I went though Paris Island we recited the rank eqivelencies as a part of oiur evening prayers every night before we were told to mount our racks. We were tested on them as well.
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PO2 Christopher Foss
2 mo
LTC Stephen F. I had the reverse, as my ex-wife was an Army Reservist. They didn't know how to handle Petty Officer Foss calling, assuming that I was a Warrant Officer.
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Posted 9 y ago
Nope not taught. You hope when you screw up the other guy will instruct you leaving some of your ass left.
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MSG Jacqueline Case
9 mo
SPC Robert Nasiff
I don’t doubt you were not taught the rank structure THEN, but I went to BT in 1982 and they did. I was a recruiter 1995-1999 and I introduced all my recruits to it prior to them shipping.
I don’t doubt you were not taught the rank structure THEN, but I went to BT in 1982 and they did. I was a recruiter 1995-1999 and I introduced all my recruits to it prior to them shipping.
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GySgt Troy Wiltshire
7 mo
PFC Jessica Warner Sorensen - seriously? I went to MCRD San Diego in 97 and we had to learn all the ranks of all the different services. But I still have never figured out Air Force enlisted ranks…too many stripes and rockers at low ranks
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LCpl Russell Potter
6 mo
when I was at MCRD Pairs Island in 1981 we were to Taught the all services ranks.only a dirty dog shit bird would have not paid attention in Boot camp..
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Posted 9 y ago
respect works both ways i dont care what branch or college. same dam contract. you maybe saving each others life one day
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PO1 Joseph Glennon
8 mo
Respect should be your default. Full stop. When you first encounter *anybody*, you should treat them with respect. Allow them to earn *disrespect*, but don't start off thinking that you merit their undying butt-kissing.
When you're in the military - any branch - you know the insignias that you've already worn. You should also know the one you're aiming to get next. If you see someone that doesn't have one you've already worn - render them the respect you'd want in that position. If you see someone wearing rank that you've already succeeded past, give them the respect that you wish you had been shown at that point.
If you see something shiny on their collar, stand by to salute.
If it's just over the telephone, or in civvies (or subdued due to operations), you're already treating them with respect, don't sweat it.
Again - respect should be your default. If it's not, you need to check and see why you're not treating people the way you want to be treated. If someone's not worth your respect, trust me, they *will* let you know by demonstration.
When you're in the military - any branch - you know the insignias that you've already worn. You should also know the one you're aiming to get next. If you see someone that doesn't have one you've already worn - render them the respect you'd want in that position. If you see someone wearing rank that you've already succeeded past, give them the respect that you wish you had been shown at that point.
If you see something shiny on their collar, stand by to salute.
If it's just over the telephone, or in civvies (or subdued due to operations), you're already treating them with respect, don't sweat it.
Again - respect should be your default. If it's not, you need to check and see why you're not treating people the way you want to be treated. If someone's not worth your respect, trust me, they *will* let you know by demonstration.
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SSG Matthew Fox
6 mo
Well Sergeant, you know as well as I do that the military respects the RANK, not the person. The person has to earn said respect, but rank will damn well get it's due respect.
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PO1 David Kingsley
2 mo
my dad was an O-3 in the Air Force, having graduated from West Point in '52.
I had no clue about Air force Enlisted Ranks,
When I enlisted, I learned the Difference in the Officer Ranks and learned the Navy Enlisted Ranks. If they had more chevron's rocker's than I did, I would respect them, regardless even though I had no clue what their rank title was
I had no clue about Air force Enlisted Ranks,
When I enlisted, I learned the Difference in the Officer Ranks and learned the Navy Enlisted Ranks. If they had more chevron's rocker's than I did, I would respect them, regardless even though I had no clue what their rank title was
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