"Don't call me 'sir.' I work for a living."

[gymtime]

Can someone explain this to me please?

Buddy of mine's father was a lifer in the army, but never comissioned. Great old guy (68 yo I think) and funny as hell. I call him "sir" out of habit. It's out of simple respect. But every time I get this same comeback.

It is my opinion that he really doesn't mind being called "sir," but that he heard that line in a movie somewhere and adopted it as his own.

Maybe some of you military guys might have some insight into this that I'm clearly missing.

 

[WODIN]

I think non-coms are referred to by title and commissioned officers are called Sir.

 

[Longhorn85]

In the Army, Officers are referred to as "Sir" while Non commissioned officers, or sergeants, are referred to as "sergeant". If someone call a sergeant "sir", a proud NCO will respond : Don't call me sir, I work for a living. (as opposed to officers who are like executives).
Sergeants make things happen in the Army.

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

In the Army, Officers are referred to as "Sir" while Non commissioned officers, or sergeants, are referred to as "sergeant". If someone call a sergeant "sir", a proud NCO will respond : Don't call me sir, I work for a living. (as opposed to officers who are like executives).
Sergeants make things happen in the Army.

DUI's
domestic violence
drugs

yes, Sergeants do it all.

JK bro. NCO's are the backbone.

 

[PURE EXTRACT]

Just what he said. Officers basically don't do shit but plot everything out. We, the enlisted, have to carry out the plans. WE MAKE IT HAPPEN!!

 

[gymtime]

Understood. But why then, 20-some years after retirement would you still object to the "sir" thing when you know full well how it's intended?

I know. I'm a civilian. The weak link in the chain. So just humor me.

 

[Longhorn85]

Just what he said. Officers basically don't do shit but plot everything out. We, the enlisted, have to carry out the plans. WE MAKE IT HAPPEN!!

Now, I didn't say that and I don't agree with that at all. Officers lead the way and it takes both to run a great Army and take care of soldiers.

As far as retirement. If someone spends a career in the army, they are always considered a soldier. Retired officers and NCOs are usually referred officially by their retired rank. LTC Jim Jones, US Army(retired) for example.

 

[HappyScrappy]

call him "slicknuts" from now on.

problem solved.

 

[slickdadd]

call him "slicknuts" from now on.

problem solved.

you said that name was only for me huggy bear.

 

[The Ranger]

Understood. But why then, 20-some years after retirement would you still object to the "sir" thing when you know full well how it's intended?

I know. I'm a civilian. The weak link in the chain. So just humor me.

Though you no longer wear the uniform, you never cease being a soldier my man....Peace.

Ranger

 

[PURE EXTRACT]

Now, I didn't say that and I don't agree with that at all. Officers lead the way and it takes both to run a great Army and take care of soldiers.

As far as retirement. If someone spends a career in the army, they are always considered a soldier. Retired officers and NCOs are usually referred officially by their retired rank. LTC Jim Jones, US Army(retired) for example.

Yeah there are great Officers, but really the only great officers I've ever met were those that were enlisted prior to becoming commissioned.