Welcome to Gaia! ::

Customs and Courtesies


Make sure you read this if you have any questions regarding how to address a senior Marine or if you are confused on how to act in certain situations. Keep in mind that insubordination is UNACCEPTABLE and will be punished swiftly and severely.

!! Make sure you report in to your Company once assigned !!

**Rank Structures and How to Address Them**
Situation always dictates, use your common sense.

(If you are a lower rank than any officer, you will address him/her as 'Sir or Ma'am...nothing else. No 'sir sandwitches'. I.e. "SIR YES SIR!" a "Yes sir/ma'am" will suffice.)

OFFICER

General-Brigadier General--It's OK to address a Brig. General as 'General' when speaking about/to them. However, if the situation is formal, use the full title. Brig. Gen./Maj. Gen./Lt. Gen/Gen.

Colonel-Lt. Colonel--Same rule applies with these two, you can call a Lt. Colonel 'Colonel' unless in a formal situation. Lt. Col./Col.

Major--A Major will be addressed as such. Maj.

Captain--A Captain will be addressed as such. Capt.

Lieutenant-2nd Lieutenant--Same rule applies to these two rates as General/Colonel. 2nd Lt./1st Lt./Lt.


ENLISTED
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps--A Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps will be addressed as such. Sgt.Maj.M.C.

Sergeant Major--A Sergeant Major will be addressed as such.SgtMaj

Master Gunnery Sergeant--'Master Guns' or"Master Gunny is OK M.Gy.Sgt.

First Sergeant--A First Sergeant will be addressed as such. 1Sgt.

Master Sergeant--A Master Sergeant will be addressed as such. M.Sgt.

Gunnery Sergeant--'Gunny' is OK Gy.Sgt.

Staff Sergeant--A Staff Sergeant will be addressed as such. S.Sgt.

Sergeant--A Sergeant will be addressed as such. Sgt.

Corporal--A Corporal will be addressed as such. CPL.

Lance Corporal--'Lance Criminal/Lance Coolie/Lance' is OK L.CPL.

Private First Class--'Private' is OK P.F.C.

Private--A Private will be addressed as such. PVT.

**At no time will you address a Sergeant and above as 'Sarge'. We're not the Army, and we respect the title. Never call a Marine "soldier"! You mess up, expect to get torn a part.**

Saluting and Greeting

You will render an appropriate greeting of the day to a higher rank (Ex. Good Morning, Staff Sergeant!), and will produce a salute for officers. Do not cut your salute until the senior man cuts his salute. SALUTES ARE NOT RENDERED INDOORS UNLESS YOU ARE UNDER ARMS AND COVERED! Also, do not salute if in formation. If you overcome an Officer or Drill Instructor while walking, you will say "By your leave Sir/Ma'am" and Render a salute. Salutes are rendered when within 6 "paces" of an Officer or Colors.

Appropriate greetings are--"Good morning/afternoon/evening, (insert title here)"

"Ooh-rah, (insert title here)."

-Responding Questions/Commands
When asked a question, you will answer "No Sir/Ma'am" or "Yes Sir/Ma'am". When you are told to do something you will answer with "Aye Sir/Ma'am". NO SIR SANDWITCHES! (Sir yes Sir) , WE ARE NOT THE ARMY!!!



Respect the rank.


Any other questions? Post here.

Ehhh. Marines do say oorah. Thats a thing Marines are well know for.

I'm not sure if it's changed, but when I was in the Corps, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps can be addressed as Sergeant Major when addressing him. Formally is Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.

Master Sergeant can be addressed as "Top" when speaking to him/her. Ex. "Good Morning Top." When addressing a Master Sgt in a formal situation (ex. receiving orders), then it is Master Sgt. "Aye Master Sergeant! Yes Master Sergeant."

This was about 10 years ago though, things and times have changed.


Semper Fi!!!