I can't see the tiny little stars on the anchor when I pass a Senior/Master Chief in the p-way so I just call everyone in khakis who I don't know and who isn't an officer Chief. Everyone I know has this problem so it's not just my eyes. Why would the navy just make a little star to distinguish a Senior Chief from a Chief? I figured I'd get used to telling the difference from a distance after a while, but I've been in for a little over 2 years and still can't get it right.

If you haven't been braced for it then its not a problem. On a big platform or shoreside I could see where you may not know they are a senior or master with just a glance in a Pway but on a small boy where you get to know everybody you'de find out fairly quickly so you wouldn't be making that mistake.

Yep, Gerry has it pretty much right on the money. See the thing about Master Chiefs and Senior Chiefs is they all were a Chief first. So, as long as you don't totally screw up and call them an officer, you are good to go. Of course once you realize you missed one or two of those little stars, you should correct yourself. I mean afterall, all Chiefs were where you are and understand the difficulties in recognizing these little stars. Not as much a problem for Master Chiefs as their stars are a little easier to see. But the Senior Chief star is nearly impossible unless you are quite close.

Any Senior or Master Chief that would get anal over something as trivial as being mistaken for (just ) a Chief should NOT be a Senior or Master Chief in the first place.

Gerry, and TMC ret. hit the nail on the head, as is oft the case.

BMCS Ret.

At the same time once you come to know who that person is and that they are in fact a SC or MC then you should call them that.

Unfortunatley I never had the problem but if I had been lucky enough to make ETCM and someone called me "Chief" and I knew that that they knew was I a MC I would want to know why and it probably would not sit well.

Officers don't have this Problem in there short titles, LTJG's are all OK with being called LT's and LCDR's don't mind being call CDR. "real Admirals" have four stars but no matter how many stars they have they all like being called "Admiral"

Good responses all, and I'd throw in with River, Gerry and all.

FWIW, while checking numerous other obscure items, probably way too much time on my hands sometimes .

The informal usage of the forms of address "Senior Chief" & "Master Chief" weren't formally instituted until the mid 1970s. A couple of articles mentioned that the Navy board that makes those decisions considered the changes a number of times, and decided that the informal use of the term "CHIEF" construed the prestige that went with the grades.

I do not recall the terms being adopted in the Coast Guard until '79 or '80.

quote:

Originally posted by RiverRat139:
Any Senior or Master Chief that would get anal over something as trivial as being mistaken for (just ) a Chief should NOT be a Senior or Master Chief in the first place.

BMCS Ret.

Not the Senior Chief that I called Chief in Bootcamp...he made me do pushups...the HORROR!!!

AO1

quote:

Originally posted by saxquiz:
I can't see the tiny little stars on the anchor when I pass a Senior/Master Chief in the p-way so I just call everyone in khakis who I don't know and who isn't an officer Chief. Everyone I know has this problem so it's not just my eyes. Why would the navy just make a little star to distinguish a Senior Chief from a Chief? I figured I'd get used to telling the difference from a distance after a while, but I've been in for a little over 2 years and still can't get it right.

I was a young E-4 and accidently called a SrChief, Chief. Same problems, I had never seen him before, adn we were wearaing camis(we'd just come out of the field). Well he ripped me a new one, blah, blah, blah. After he stormed off, a Master Chief called me over, I thought, here it comes again. He said Petty Officer, if you ever run into a Sr or Master Chief that gets bent out of shape over an honest mistake like that, remember they are just E-8 or E-9. No real Chief would ever get upset on something like that. Obviously, when you get closer and see the star/s, you correct yourself. Just don't call them dude,lol.

I spent 22 years in the Navy and retired as
a chief due to the fact that I had to agree
to remain on active duty for 24 months to
become a senior chief. Regardless, I would
not be upset or hesitate to call a senior or
master as just Chief for that is what we are
"Chiefs) a star only indicates he/she gets
paid more that I do.

If your on a small ship you know who's who so you know who is a Chif and who is a Senior or Master chief. On my last ship a Fast Frigate the Command Master Chief let most of us First class petty officers call him "Master Boss". Of course not in the company of the CO or XO, but usually anyone else was fair game. Of course on a bigger ship, aircraft carrier type, before you say something you might regret make sure of who is coming at you before you open your mouth or make sure your brain is engaged before putting your mouth into gear.......

quote:

Originally posted by USN_RM1_MA1_RET:
If your on a small ship you know who's who so you know who is a Chif and who is a Senior or Master chief. On my last ship a Fast Frigate the Command Master Chief let most of us First class petty officers call him "Master Boss". Of course not in the company of the CO or XO, but usually anyone else was fair game. Of course on a bigger ship, aircraft carrier type, before you say something you might regret make sure of who is coming at you before you open your mouth or make sure your brain is engaged before putting your mouth into gear.......

What's a ship? LOL

Speaking of titles, did anyone see the Larry King interview where he was talking to two soldiers, an SFC (E-7) and a Lieutenant Colonel? King kept addressing the LTC as "Lieutenant", and the SFC was grinding his teeth. After a commercial break they came back on the air and he was calling him "Colonel". I would like to have heard the SFC during the break. Bet he gave him a good alpha charlie.

Retired Senior Chief. Well I guess it depends on the person. I didnt get bent out of shape. The fact that a sailor had the respect to recognized that I am a Chief was good enough for me. Here is a tad bit of information. In the Mess we are addressed as Chiefs. The CMC doesnt have time to say all Chiefs, Senior Chiefs and Master Chiefs. He/She would just say Chiefs. Dont lose no sleep over one Senior Chief losing his temper over something like this.

The good chiefs want your respect. The good chiefs are willing to earn that respect. The good chiefs are not going to get bent around the axle over whether or not you see the starts on the anchor.

A good E-8 or E-9 will give you grief. There are idiots everywhere. Ignore them.

And be certain to address the E-8 or E-9 as "SENIOR CHIEF" or "MASTER CHIEF" each and every time you see them....

What Mastersmate said..

All three grades of Chiefs were addressed as Chiefs until the mid 70s.. some old salts continued to call the CMC "Leading Chief" also into the 70s.

If you make an honest mistake, correct yourself if you notice.

The problem only gets worse as you get older..

quote:

Originally posted by billdawg24:
I was a young E-4 and accidently called a SrChief, Chief. Same problems, I had never seen him before, and we were wearaing camis(we'd just come out of the field). Well he ripped me a new one, blah, blah, blah..

What a POUG....Sounds like he had insecurity self esteem issues...

I figured I'd throw this one out there...

Many of the Army folks on my FOB try to call the Chiefs on our team "Sergeant" ...that DOES NOT well. Some do refer to our Senior Chief and Master Chief as Chiefs...even after many months of being corrected.

Seems like it depends on the person...

Cheers,
Robin

quote:

Originally posted by seabee2nfo:
I figured I'd throw this one out there...

Many of the Army folks on my FOB try to call the Chiefs on our team "Sergeant" ...that DOES NOT well. Some do refer to our Senior Chief and Master Chief as Chiefs...even after many months of being corrected.

Seems like it depends on the person...

Cheers,
Robin

It's funny, there were a million times I walked around an Army base, and was saluted as a PO. The crows look a little like and eagle. E-4's(PO's with only one chevron beneath teh crow, get it a lot. I would always salute back, and say carry on,lol.

quote:

Originally posted by billdawg24:

It's funny, there were a million times I walked around an Army base, and was saluted as a PO. The crows look a little like and eagle. E-4's(PO's with only one chevron beneath teh crow, get it a lot. I would always salute back, and say carry on,lol.

Yep - We trained at Fort Bragg and it happened all the time! It was pretty amusing.

Not to be an old sage here, but, if you are a Chief, Senior Chief or Master Chief and your troops are thinking in terms of E4, E5, E6 E7 etc then your leadership and on the job training is lacking and needs a good swift kick in the butt. I know that addressing a troop Petty Officer First Class and below by their last name is faster but when Petty Offier is placed before thier name when they are spoken to will improve and recognize thier status as a non-comissioned officer. As to being called Chief when you are in fact a Senior or Master Chief should not be a big concern. After all any officer can be called Sir or Mam and since we Chiefs do not want to be called "Sir" Chief is actually ok.