Proper way to address an NCO

[crusader]

Hi all,

Like many on these forums, I'm in the recruitment process and shooting for a SEAL contract. The recruiter I'm working with is a non-commissioned officer (NC1) and I want to know how to properly address him. "Officer Smith," for example? Would that be appropriate?

Thanks.

[ddssdv]

Petty officer Smith. No sirs.

[bigv123]

It depends on rank. If he or she is a Chief Petty Officer, then you usually call him/her "Chief Smith". CPO is E-7. Senior Chief (E-8) is typically "Senior Chief Smith" or if you have some type or rapport with him just "Senior". Master Chief (E-9) would be similar with "Master Chief Smith". Junior NCO ranks (E-4 through E-6) are usually all just called "Petty Officer Smith" unless a more formal tone needs to be used/taken. In which case "Petty Officer 3rd Class Smith" (or his equivalent) would be appropriate.

I'm not entirely sure what a "NC1" is? You kind of imply that he's a Warrant Officer, but, in the US Navy those are commissioned officers. But, you may in fact be referring to an E-4 (Third Class Petty Officer), which I suspect is the case. This is the most junior of the NCO ranks. Just look on his left arm and tell us how many stripes he has. If he doesn't have any then look at the rank insignia on his collar.

V

[sarvet]

NC1 is a 'First Class Petty Officer'. E-6. The NC is the 'rating', which is naval career counselor ( a recruiter pretty much ). If it was NC2, it would be a second class (e-5). NC3 = 3rd class petty officer ( e-4). The number behind the rating is the 'rank'. SEALs are SO (rating). So an e-5 SEAL would be SO2.

[akrock2001]

It depends on rank. If he or she is a Chief Petty Officer, then you usually call him/her "Chief Smith". CPO is E-7. Senior Chief (E-8) is typically "Senior Chief Smith" or if you have some type or rapport with him just "Senior". Master Chief (E-9) would be similar with "Master Chief Smith". Junior NCO ranks (E-4 through E-6) are usually all just called "Petty Officer Smith" unless a more formal tone needs to be used/taken. In which case "Petty Officer 3rd Class Smith" (or his equivalent) would be appropriate.

I'm not entirely sure what a "NC1" is? You kind of imply that he's a Warrant Officer, but, in the US Navy those are commissioned officers. But, you may in fact be referring to an E-4 (Third Class Petty Officer), which I suspect is the case. This is the most junior of the NCO ranks. Just look on his left arm and tell us how many stripes he has. If he doesn't have any then look at the rank insignia on his collar.

V

Are you a NAVET?

[ddssdv]

NC1 is a 'First Class Petty Officer'. E-6. The NC is the 'rating', which is naval career counselor ( a recruiter pretty much ). If it was NC2, it would be a second class (e-5). NC3 = 3rd class petty officer ( e-4). The number behind the rating is the 'rank'. SEALs are SO (rating). So an e-5 SEAL would be SO2.

He said NC1 which is a Navy Counseler 1st class. He didn't say cheif. He would be addressed as petty officer whoever. REMEMBER...NO yes sirs or no sirs....

[sarvet]

If someone doesn't know what the '1' in the title 'NC1' stands for then they probably are not a NAVET. I am an navet though

[crusader]

Great answers! Thanks everyone, I appreciate it.

[akrock2001]

If someone doesn't know what the '1' in the title 'NC1' stands for then they probably are not a NAVET. I am an navet though

This is a perfect example of why a profile should be filled out. (Mil experience-state unit, time, etc-, or No Mil experience)

The reason I asked if he was a NAVET was because a couple comments in the post raised questions.

And this goes back to-- If you don't know, don't answer.

[bud/s sucks]

At such a point in your career, I would be calling him/her by their first name, but that's just me.

[oldswabbie]

Yes, BigV123 is a Navy Veteran.


OldSwabbie

[crusader]

At such a point in your career, I would be calling him/her by their first name, but that's just me.

Yeah, I thought about that. Up to this point I've just been calling him sir, rather than addressing him by the wrong rank. He hasn't said anything, but I'll probably just start calling him by his first name or Petty Officer "Smith."

One of the other recruiters I've talked to is a Lieutenant (hard to mistake that one on the recruiter card). I address him by either his first name or rank and he really seems to appreciate it.

Thanks again gentlemen.

[guerrillawolf]

Hell, I would just call him NC1. I was an HM and we called all those that were E-4 to E-6 either HM3, HM2, or HM1. Petty officer will work just fine but NC1 is shorter than saying yes petty officer all the time. Chief you call as such, Senior Chief either that or Senior, and Master Chief exactly that. Atleast that's how we did it. Ask him what how to address him.