1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Don't call me Sir...

Discussion in 'Other Discussions' started by Salty, May 29, 2010.

  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,982
    Likes Received:
    2,615
    Faith:
    Baptist
    When I am in uniform or para-uniform (military cap with rank insignia) I do not like to be called Sir. I am a Non-commissioned officer (aka Sergeant).

    I realize the Navy (incl the Marines) lump NCO's and Officers in one group, but as a Solider, I give the standard NCO answer:

    "Don't Call me Sir, I work for my money!"

    So you active Army and Vets, are you with me, or am I just part of the old Army?

    Sarge
     
  2. Jon-Marc

    Jon-Marc New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2007
    Messages:
    2,752
    Likes Received:
    0
    I was Air Force, and the only time anyone called me Sir was right after I got my first stripe and was called that by Privates. Even as a sergeant I was never called Sir by anyone.
     
  3. FriendofSpurgeon

    FriendofSpurgeon Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2003
    Messages:
    3,243
    Likes Received:
    74
    When I come across those in the military, I normally address all military men as "sir" simply out of respect. As a non-military person, I really have no idea what all those stripes mean and what the military protocol is. I simply appreciate their service to our country.
     
  4. rbell

    rbell Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2006
    Messages:
    11,103
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yes, sir. Anything you say, sir.

    :D [​IMG]
     
  5. Cutter

    Cutter New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2006
    Messages:
    1,564
    Likes Received:
    0
    :flower: You don't have to call me darling, darling. You never even called me by my name.
    Now back to your regular scheduled thread. :smilewinkgrin:
     
  6. Mississippi John

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2010
    Messages:
    171
    Likes Received:
    2
    Sir...is an insult to a working sailor, soldier, airmen , coast guardsdman, or marine.

    Call us by rank...just like we call you !
     
  7. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2002
    Messages:
    15,460
    Likes Received:
    1
    My official rank in the Canadian Army was Captain. I was generally called Padre by all ranks. When addressing the ranks below Major, I addressed all by their first name. Higher officers were addressed by rank until they requested to be called by name.

    In civilian life, I was just Jim to everyone. I did, however, address all people by Mr., Mrs. or Miss until they asked me to call them by first name. It was just a matter of showing respect.

    In early schooling in England, it was proper to address someone by their family name until they gave you permission to use your first name.

    I know who I am, so it never troubles me whatever someone wants to call me.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  8. Cutter

    Cutter New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2006
    Messages:
    1,564
    Likes Received:
    0
    Seriously, being offended because someone calls you Sir, is ludicrous. It is not like they are calling you a derogatory name. Just because others may not know what the proper protocol is concerning how to refer to military personnel does not mean that they should be reprimanded with a petty response.
     
  9. SBCPreacher

    SBCPreacher Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 30, 2006
    Messages:
    2,764
    Likes Received:
    0
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Well, in my time in the Army Reserves, I was called sir. I was a LT. But in the unit I was in I called more people sir than those who called me sir.
     
  10. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,982
    Likes Received:
    2,615
    Faith:
    Baptist
    So another words, you didn't do any work, did you SIR?

    Sarge
     
  11. Mississippi John

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2010
    Messages:
    171
    Likes Received:
    2
    Cutter, you , obviously,were never a G.I. That was a bit of humor enlisted folks all shared.
     
  12. Cutter

    Cutter New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2006
    Messages:
    1,564
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yes, you are correct. So my perspective is from the outside and being on the outside of the military fraternity, would you guys be disturbed by someone that isn't familiar with your little idiosyncrasies, ( like don't call me sir, I work for a living) calling you sir out of respect?
     
  13. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,982
    Likes Received:
    2,615
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Then I assume you may not know where the fifth wheel or air valves on an M-151 Jeep would be?

    Sarge

    PS and it will not be indicated on the -14 or the DA 2404
     
  14. Cutter

    Cutter New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2006
    Messages:
    1,564
    Likes Received:
    0
    And this has, what to do with my question and the OP? :confused:
    On second thought, forget I said anything about calling you sir out of respect.
     
  15. SBCPreacher

    SBCPreacher Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 30, 2006
    Messages:
    2,764
    Likes Received:
    0
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Why, of course I did. I worked hard at staying out of the way and letting the NCO's do what they were trained to do. And we got along just fine!
     
  16. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,982
    Likes Received:
    2,615
    Faith:
    Baptist

    Obviously, a Platoon Sgt trained you very well!
     
  17. Mississippi John

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2010
    Messages:
    171
    Likes Received:
    2
    And he was an an outstanding Officer........ because he acknowledged that NCO:s were "as smart" or smarter than himself................our military needs more junior officers that share your beliefs.
     
  18. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2002
    Messages:
    15,460
    Likes Received:
    1
    In the military, regarding senior personnel, is it a question of who is smarter, or simply obeying orders from above?

    Obeying orders may be the key to survival in war. As the saying goes, "Yours is not to reason why, but simply to obey."

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  19. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,982
    Likes Received:
    2,615
    Faith:
    Baptist

    On a more serious note, a young "Butter Bar" may have the book learning, but a seasoned NCO is a "graduate" of "Heartbreak Ridge" along with such alumni as Gunnery Sergeant Tom Highway. Book learning is good, but on the battlefield, experience is what is needed.

    Too many 2nd "Louies" were victims of fragging in wartime and Vietnam was no exception, especially the "90 day wonders"

    Sarge
     
    #19 Salty, Jun 6, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 6, 2010
  20. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,982
    Likes Received:
    2,615
    Faith:
    Baptist
    This thread started out a bit of fun - but there did segue to seriousness, as I indicated in my "quoted" post.

    Do we have any active duty members on board -If so, would you say todays Army has the same situation? Other Thoughts

    Sarge
     
Loading...