| Cincinnatus | 16 Mar 2011 12:15 p.m. PST |
Saw Battle:LA and was curious if the Marines actually refer to a Staff Sargent using their full rank. Considering how much of the other military stuff they got right, I assume so but I've never seen this come up before and thought I'd just confirm. Edit: I want to emphasize that this is just asking about Marines. I am well aware of how the Army does it. |
aecurtis  | 16 Mar 2011 1:35 p.m. PST |
Not only do the Marines properly address an NCO of that rank (as "Staff Sergeant"), but they can spell his rank properly, too. It is inappopriate for a Marine senior NCO to have his rank truncated when addressing him in the way the Army does. They should probably have their own board, as well, rather than having to be lumped in with the Army. Allen |
| Jovian1 | 16 Mar 2011 2:33 p.m. PST |
I see a poll topic coming up too.  |
| Jay Arnold | 16 Mar 2011 2:58 p.m. PST |
Meh. Rename it "Military" and be done with it. Until some wag whines that the term Military classically refers to land forces … |
| Cincinnatus | 16 Mar 2011 3:29 p.m. PST |
You know Allen the spelling thing is getting really old. What is your problem? Can't you just provide information to people in a polite way? |
| kyoteblue | 16 Mar 2011 5:15 p.m. PST |
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| pmwalt | 16 Mar 2011 5:18 p.m. PST |
Staff Sergeant are addressed as Staff Sergeant (never Staff or Sergeant or Sarge), but Gunnery Sergeants are more commonly called Gunny, Master Sergeants are normally called Top, and Master Gunnery Sergeants are frequently called Master Guns. (Least that's how it was while I was in for my 20.) |
| Jay Arnold | 16 Mar 2011 5:23 p.m. PST |
Can't you just provide information to people in a polite way? I took it more as a dig on Army types. As an Army type, I moved past it. |
| SECURITY MINISTER CRITTER | 16 Mar 2011 6:55 p.m. PST |
I thought Allen was USA(Ret)! |
| Jay Arnold | 16 Mar 2011 6:58 p.m. PST |
Well, he oughta know, then. |
| Cpt Arexu | 16 Mar 2011 8:58 p.m. PST |
In the Wing (2nd MAW) it was Staff Sergeant, Gunny/Gunnery Sergeant, Top/Master Sgt OR Top/Master Gunny*, and Sgt Major. *For example, our maintenance chief was a Master Gunny known as Top 'Ski' because he was Polish… But we NEVER dropped the "Staff" and NEVER just used the "Staff" portion of the rank, that was how that other service did it. Two words, used together, Staff Segeant. Cpt Arexu
formerly Sergeant Hazlett, VMAQ-2, USMC. Not to be confused with the Sgt Hazlett at the Radio Battalion in Kaneohe… |
| Cpt Arexu | 16 Mar 2011 9:06 p.m. PST |
And Cincinnatus, spelling it wrong is just weak. Screwing up the spelling is rude – it says you can't be arsed to take care. Stand up, OWN your mistake, don't blame Allen for pointing it out. |
| Mardaddy | 16 Mar 2011 10:12 p.m. PST |
You folks had never been around the MSgts and MGySgts I had… Don't make the assumption that "Top" is acceptable to them all. Some like or prefer it, some don't care and let it slide, but the majority I have encountered address the moniker as, well, "strenuously undesirable." |
| jdginaz | 16 Mar 2011 10:58 p.m. PST |
"You know Allen the spelling thing is getting really old. What is your problem? Can't you just provide information to people in a polite way?" No he can't possibly pass up a opportunity to show his contempt for wargamers. |
| Cpt Arexu | 16 Mar 2011 11:03 p.m. PST |
I must admit, calling Gunnery Sgts 'Gunny' and MSgts 'Top' was definitely at the discretion of the individual senior enlisted guy. I'd never try it on someone I didn't know. |
| aecurtis | 17 Mar 2011 5:19 a.m. PST |
"It is inappopriate…" Nobody jumped on that? Allen |
| Jay Arnold | 17 Mar 2011 5:59 a.m. PST |
Gentlemen, rest your sphincters. Nobody jumped on that? Couldn't be bothered. That's your shtick. |
| Austin Rob | 17 Mar 2011 9:27 a.m. PST |
Yes, I well remember the first day at Marine PLC Summer camp when the Gunnery Sergeant asked me a question and I responded "Yes, Sergeant!" Then we all got the lesson on who was a Gunner Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, etc. while I did push-ups. |
| Cincinnatus | 17 Mar 2011 4:26 p.m. PST |
Spelling isn't my strong point. I do correct things when the spell checker tells me it's wrong. (Firefox spell checker, not Allen). The problem is "Sargent" passes. I guess because it's capitalized. If I were doing something at the office, I would put more effort into my writing but I'm not going to get too fussy about spelling (my own or someone else's) in a hobby setting. But anyone who was in the Army knows it's spelled SSG. For every official document that you show me where it's not spelled that way, I'll show you 1000 where it is. Anyway, thanks for the answers. |
| Leftie247 | 26 Apr 2011 2:16 p.m. PST |
Calling a Master Sergeant "Top" is not nearly as common as calling a Gunnery Sergeant "Gunny" or Master Gunnery Sergeant "Master Guns". When I was younger, I always called GySgts "Gunny" unless I was getting screamed at. Then it was Gunnery Sergeant. Master Guns is easier because Master Gunnery Sergeant is a long long title. Most Master Guns are not as uptight as Sergeants Major. The Top thing though must be an Air Wing thing because I have been a Marine for a little over a decade and never called an 0369 Master Sergeant "Top".
Leftie
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| Striker | 14 May 2011 4:21 a.m. PST |
I never heard "Master Guns" when I was in. Top was common though, and I was in the Wing also. |
| Last Hussar | 25 May 2011 4:30 p.m. PST |
Too many damn sergeants in the US forces. Staff is perfectly acceptable in the UK |
| number4 | 24 Feb 2012 7:20 p.m. PST |
"Staff is perfectly acceptable in the UK" Not in all regiments and corps! Staff sgt.s in the Royal Artillery are always called "Q" (because they hold a battery quartermaster sergeant's job), and I believe in the Infantry and Royal Marines it's 'Colour Sergeant'. Then you have those wacky Guards ranks….. |
