|
Military customs and courtesies dictate that officers are addressed as "Sir" and Enlisted soldiers addressed by their accompanying rank.
When I was an NCO, it would have in fact been disrespectful for another soldier to address me as Sir instead of my enlisted rank. "Sergeant" is generally utilized in the U. S. Army for ranks E-5 (Sergeant) through the E-8 rank of Master Sergeant. There is also an E-8 "First Sergeant" who generally has an overall leadership role. These are generally not found in Special Forces units. E-9's are addressed as Sergeant Major.
Foreign troops are understandably less restricted but we make every attempt to have them address us as appropriate for the situation we are in together and the rank we wear. It helps to maintain good discipline and promote the military model during cooperative training. Additionally, many times it is easier for foreign soldiers to relate "SGT to SGT" due to the general disparity between officers and enlisted in many countries. This becomes advantageous for training, language, camaraderie, and overall friendly good times.
Eagle
__________________
Primum non Nocere
"I have hung out in dangerous places a lot over the years, from combat zones to biker bars, and it is the weak, the unaware, or those looking for it, that usually find trouble.
Ain't no one getting out of this world alive. All you can do is try to have some choice in the way you go. Prepare yourself (and your affairs), and when your number is up, die on your feet fighting rather than on your knees. And make the SOBs pay dearly."
The Reaper-3 Sep 04
|