Addressing Marines by Rank

[USMC Chuter]

Somebody on this board recently brought to my attention a good question.. It's a question I remember having before I joined, and one I figured I'd answer now. I'm sure there are other posters who could benefit from the answer.. It's the whole question of referring to Staff Sergeants, Gunnery Sergeants, etc.. as "Sergeant."

No. Don't. Just don't. Marines refer to/address each other a little differently than do members of other services. In the Army and Air Force, it is usually acceptable to refer to most NCO's as "Sergeant". In the Navy, it is usually acceptable to refer to most Petty Officers as "Petty Officer". Not quite so in the Corps. Marines, with a few exceptions, are referred to/addressed by their exact rank.

In the officer world, Marines don't do it any differently. All generals, regardless of grade, are referred to as "General". Colonels and Lt. Colonels are referred to as "Colonel". 1st and 2nd Lieutenants are both referred to as "Lieutenant". Captains and Majors are self-explanitory.

In the Warrant Officer ranks, there is a tendency to use the term "Gunner". This is correct when referring to a Marine Gunner. That is, a warrant officer in the infantry field, specifically designated as a Gunner. He is the warrant officer with the bursting bomb insignia on one collar. Warrant officers in other fields shoud be referred to as "sir/ma'am" or by their rank.. For example, "Warrant Officer Smith" or "Chief Warrant Officer Jones". WO1's are warrant officers, CWO 2-5's are chief warrant officers.

In the enlisted ranks things get slightly more complicated. The easy way is to remember to refer to Marines by their exact rank. You can't go wrong with that. A Sergeant Major is always called Sergeant Major. A Master Gunnery Sergeant is called by his/her rank, but may accept "master guns" or "master gunny". It depends on who you're addressing and under what circumstances.

A 1st Sergeant is always called first sergeant, never "top". A Master Sergeant is called master sergeant, but may accept "top". Again, depends on the Marine you're speaking to and the circumstances. I've never met Gunnery Sergeant who minded being called Gunny. Staff Sergeants are called by their rank, never referred to as "sergeant". We've been promoted from sergeant, no need to re-live the rank.

Sergeants are never addressed as "sarge". Thrash yourself if you even considered it. Corporals are self explanitory. Lance Corporals are addressed by their rank, never as corporal. Privates First Class are referred to by their full rank or as PFC.. Not "private". They've been promoted from private, no need to re-live the rank. Last but not least, privates are privates. Hope that clears things up.

[Josh USMC Son]

Thanks I guess my pops teaching me all about the ranks when I was younger would come in handy. Thanks Staff Sergeant.

[0311Marine]

I saw an Army Lieutenant call our Sgt. Major, just plain Sergeant once, Ive never seen someone esp. an officer get ripped into that bad before, when the Lt. ran to our Bn Commander to talk about charges, I heard the Lt. Colonel tell the Lieutenant to (and im quoting here) "Shut the Fuck up, your lucky he didnt beat the shit out of you, he passed the rank of Sgt. while you were still nursing on your mommys tit. If your going to work with My Marines, learn to use there rank." It was one of the funniest things id ever seen. (btw, the BC did have our Sgt. Major appologize to the kid)

[Josh USMC Son]

LMAO!!! That's fucking hilarious!

[Bunny]

Lol, funny story. At the last Drill Competition our MCJROTC unit went to they had DI’s on the parade deck inspecting the cadets. They were mostly SSgt. and some Gunny’s. The Army cadets would form up to get inspected and would always answer up “Yes Drill Sergeant” then there would be about 3 whole minutes of yelling, usually all the DI’s would gang up on the first guy to say it. Every Army unit that went up there after that, none of them ever caught on.

[USMC Chuter]

During my short, unfortunate, stint in the Army NG, I was assaulted on a daily basis by the lack of appreciation for rank. I physically cringed every time I heard a Sergeant (let alone a Staff NCO) referred to as "sarge".. I cringed and damn-near dry heaved every time I saw a Staff Sergeant with less authority than a Marine Corporal. The one positive thing I gained was the necessary motivation to drive me back where I belong.

It's a sign of respect when Marines refer to each other by their rank. We are not E4's, E5's, etc, as our sister services like to say. We are our rank. I am not an E6, that is merely my pay grade. I am a Staff Sergeant. Until that difference is understood, we Marines will be misunderstood. And probably mis-addressed.

Just to add to your post USMC Chutter in my short experience the short names such as Gunny, Top, and Master Guns were only acceptable when they actually get to know you a little bit.

[KARL THE GRUNT]

Simple.

If you are new you are formal.
Marines of equal rank are addressed as "Marine".
Marines of a different rank are addressed by rank. "Good morning Cpl"
Officers are addressed as "sir" and refered to by rank. "The Capt. said"
When you have been in the unit a while and have earned respect. It is a bit more informal. "Gunny the skipper said" or "morning Top".

Karl

[0311Marine]

A word of warning for the people that are going to join the Corps., Marines often refer to themselves and each other as Devil Dogs or simply Devil, I.E. "Hey Devil, hows it going", "Morning Devil Dog", NEVER refer to someone of a Higher rank as Devil Dog or Devil, It is ok to do it for the same rank or lower ranks but not for anyone that out ranks you. Oh and I have never used the word "skipper" It was always either Captain or just sir.

[LCpl Lamm]

Roger that.

[SpongeJuan]

and while in bootcamp all DI are always refered to as Drill Instructors, never DI.

[Grimmy]

Wow, things have changed ALOT! lol

in bootcamp, anyone not a recruit was a SIR! nothing but a SIR!

Company commanders were all Skippers..maybe never to their face, but sometimes then too. Same with First Shirt for Company First Sgt. First Sgts werent called First Shirt except by the Skipper usually but that's how they were alwase refered to as.

"where's the First Shirt? I gotta get a sig on this here dream sheet". kinda thing...I often addressed Company First Sgt as Top. "hey Top, how's it goin' " was the usual for good morning type occasions and such.

And I cant remember not using Gunny even upon meeting a Gunnery Sgt for the first time.

Those were all excepted as terms of respect.

Terms not acceptable even in the back then times were Staff for staff sgt. Staff is a disease. Staff Sgt is a rank.

Dude..call anyone dude and you'd get some part of ya broken.
Hey man..same as dude

I was, by no means a "shit bird". Matter of fact, I was generally considered squared away..at least till the last when my body broke.

I am not attempting to advocate a lower standard here, nor am I attempting to negatively influence the kiddies...but, wow...things sure have changed.

That's good beta. Thank you.