Generation Kill

[Stan]

I called my SSG's and above by their first names.

Brotherhood lies in the bonds shared throughout the tense times.

From my subordinates, I was always referred to as sir.

I think part of the issue has to do with what one views in others as worthy of offering respect.

As a young LT I addressed my NCOs by rank and last name, in deference to their age and experience--each of them was older and wiser than I. ... I never came to a point where I could address an E9 as anything other than Sergeant Major X.

I fully concur with Mike and Wayne; I see no issues/instances of lack of professionalism. In my 23 years (other than my E-1 thru E-4 days), most of my SNCOs and nearly every officer addressed me by my first name. Typically, the senior officers were far easier and the E-9s... Well, what Wayne said