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Appropriate address
- Thread starter red92gt
- Start date
That would apply if he was a 1st Sergeant. He isnt if he is a Master Sgt. Yeah thats right there both the same grade but they are on seperate paths. Master Sergeants can become Master Gunnery Sergeants (then you can call him Master Gunny) and 1st Sergeants become Sergeant Majors. I know its complicated but no more then all your little mates and misters.
Red92Gt, He's a Master Sergeant, you call him Master Sergeant. There is not nickname for SSgt, or Sgt Major, or for that matter most of the ranks in the Marine Corps. Just call him by his proper title. And I dont know if this applies to you or not but at OCS you dont get to call them Gunnys, most priors dont make this mistake but the people with enough familiarity with the Marine Corps to get them in trouble are another story.
i disagree, in my 15 years or so in the Corps, i've never heard or called a 1stSgt of Marines "Top" ... on the other hand, i've regularly heard & called a Master Sgt "Top" ... most do not mind it, some do. my recommendation is if i wasn't in the Marine Corps yet, i would stick to calling him Master Sgt
S/F
Master Sgt is the correct way to address him. If he wants you to call him something else, he'll tell you. Until he does, address him as master sgt.
I had a similar situation when I was in high school trying to figure the best way for me to get into the military. Both the Army and the USMC recruiters I was talking to were promoted.
I had a similar situation when I was in high school trying to figure the best way for me to get into the military. Both the Army and the USMC recruiters I was talking to were promoted.
Wierd..... I heard some of the company staff refer to our 1st Sgt at "Top" when they didnt think there were any candidates around.
Well, they're both right. First Sgts are actually "Top" with the new and current (E-1 through E-9) rank structure that was enacted in the late 50's early 60's.
The old rank structure only included E-1 through E-7 and Master Sgts were "Top", filling the billets of First Sgt and Sgt Maj. The title Top for Master Sgts has carried over still today.
I could be wrong about some of this, but this is about how it was explained to me. If you have some sort of relationship with the Master Sgt. he'll probably tell you it's okay to call him Top.
Semper Fi, Doc
The old rank structure only included E-1 through E-7 and Master Sgts were "Top", filling the billets of First Sgt and Sgt Maj. The title Top for Master Sgts has carried over still today.
I could be wrong about some of this, but this is about how it was explained to me. If you have some sort of relationship with the Master Sgt. he'll probably tell you it's okay to call him Top.
Semper Fi, Doc
Most 1stSgts (which is a leadership position/ troop handling) will want to be refereed to by their rank. due to issues dealing with nicknames. Just as a Gunny filling a 1stSgt billet will want to be referred to as Gunnery Sgt. In order make the difference between the Company Gunny ( Logistics) And 1stSgt (Leadership/personnel)
Master Sgts( which is an advisory billet) have very few charges and can be more loose in personality and you will see more Master Sgts being called 'Top'
Exceptions to the rule are O3s and former Drill instructors. Most E-8s who are O3s and drill instructors are by the book. ( possibly recognized by their high and tight and scowl) Call them by the appropriate rank.
Most E-7 wear the name 'Gunny' with pride however there are also some hard asses who want the full title.
Now that I made that clear as mud best bet is to ask them what they want to be addressed by.
Master Sgts( which is an advisory billet) have very few charges and can be more loose in personality and you will see more Master Sgts being called 'Top'
Exceptions to the rule are O3s and former Drill instructors. Most E-8s who are O3s and drill instructors are by the book. ( possibly recognized by their high and tight and scowl) Call them by the appropriate rank.
Most E-7 wear the name 'Gunny' with pride however there are also some hard asses who want the full title.
Now that I made that clear as mud best bet is to ask them what they want to be addressed by.
pdx
HSM Pilot
Its already been mentioned, but a good rule to follow for everyone above you is to use the proper address until you are specifically told otherwise. Just because someone else refers to a person as gunny, top, master guns, maverick, douche-bag, or anything else doesn't mean you can.
If you called him gunny before, he might still opt for a less formal form of address now as well. In any case, he will let you know.
The same applies to your instructors in flight school. Your on-wing's name will be Lieutenant/Captain ____ or Sir until he tells you otherwise (which may never happen). The thing about formal address is that it naturally provides a little bit of distance, which can be a good thing.
As far as custom goes, I believe "top" normally refers to a Master Sergeant in the Marine Corps or a First Sergeant in the Army (not a First Sergeant of Marines).
If you called him gunny before, he might still opt for a less formal form of address now as well. In any case, he will let you know.
The same applies to your instructors in flight school. Your on-wing's name will be Lieutenant/Captain ____ or Sir until he tells you otherwise (which may never happen). The thing about formal address is that it naturally provides a little bit of distance, which can be a good thing.
As far as custom goes, I believe "top" normally refers to a Master Sergeant in the Marine Corps or a First Sergeant in the Army (not a First Sergeant of Marines).