[QUOTE=GiftofSchizo]
Hello, Straightdopers; Giftof Schizo here.
I retired from the AF in 2005 as an E-8, and I can speak authoritatively on rank and respect among enlisted personnel.
The relative difference between an E-3 and an E-4–at least in the Air Force–is somewhat minor. Most of the E-3s and E-4s I’ve known consider each other colleagues, use first names on and off duty, especially since the AF stopped affording E-4s an NCO option. I encourage that in the work setting (as long as the Airmen are mature enough to handle it, as they usually are) as it seems to contribute to the feeling of being a part of a family.
There might be a perception of real difference between, say, an E-2 and an E-4, under which the E-4 might be addressed as “Airman So-and-So” or even “Senior Airman So-and-So”, and certainly there is a good deal of difference between an E-1 and an E-4, but as E-4s aren’t NCOs as they previously might have been, from a functional point of view, it’s not that big of a deal.
Now in my units, I expected and required my E-5s to start drawing the line between themselves, as newly appointed NCOs, and the Airmen. I expected them to minimize their partying with the Airmen, and certainly to not party with Airmen in their chain of supervision. It can be a tough transition for them, but it’s absolutely necessary, especially when these E-5s start writing EPRs on their former party buddies. Under no circumstances would I ever allow any of my Airmen (E-1 thorugh E-4) address any of my NCOs (E-5 through E-8) by first name, on or off base, on or off duty.
Past E-5, the feeling of a horizontal relationship (instead of a vertical one) exists within the grades, mostly. As an E-8, I participated in a relaxed, first-name operating basis when alone with the other E-8s, and in the case of those whom I outranked, if it seemed appropriate and if we were out of hearing of any personnel who were lower ranking than the subordinate, I might refer to them by first name while they refered to me with grade-lastname. It isn’t nearly as awkward as perhaps it might sound, since those whom I outranked had always known me as Sergeant GiftofSchizo.
Now, in the Air Force, the E-9 grade is a whole separate univerise. My very good friend, whom I have known for years–we were staff sergeants together–made CMSgt last year, put the stripe on, and I would never–not in private, not at his house among his family, not at the club, not while running a marathon with him, not anytime ever, ever, ever–refer to him as anything other than Chief (despite his protestations for me to do so). It’s an AF enlisted thing. As they say, even in shower shoes, the chief is the Chief.
GoS
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Great post, GoS. It is definitely in line with my experience as well.
I suppose one of the differences is that AB, Amn, and A1C are usually very junior. It’s not uncommon for A1Cs to arrive at their first duty station fresh out of tech school. SrA says you’ve been in for a while.
I went in the hard route: AB, Amn, A1C, SrA, and got out as a SSgt (made it my first time – career field had very low cut-off scores). I think it’s time it takes to make the rank is what differentiates the personal relationships and how individuals refer to each other in and out of work. I’ve met SrAs who demanded that they be called “Airman” from their lower-ranking peers. In fact, I’ve met SrAs who were NCOICs in small overseas shops – usually interim, waiting for a SSgt to arrive, or because they have a line number. So a hard differentiation was required.
That being said, I know when I was a SSgt, I never thought of referring to a TSgt or above as anything other than rank and last name, unless I got to know them. Then again, I worked with MSgts whom I called by first name, even on duty, when I was a SrA.
Every situation’s different. But whenever you’re in doubt, always refer to someone by rank and last name.
But I stand by what I said. If the other person is a relative, and you’re not in a situation that calls for it (in the presence of other military and on duty), and you’ve always known them as Jim, they’re Jim to you.