Military etiquette questions

[WebbPA]

You guys know a lot about military etiquette.  I have a couple of questions:

1. My father was a Captain in the US Navy.  When he died he left me some cufflinks with Navy stuff on them.  Is it proper or acceptable for me to wear them with civilian clothing(I have never been in any military service)?

2. From whom (rank)would a US Navy Master Chief receive orders and to whom (rank) would he distribute these orders?

Thanks.

[Felix/FFDS]

[quote]You guys know a lot about military etiquette.

[WebbPA]

I'm guessing a little about equivalent ranks.  My brother was a Master Sgt. in the USAF but he had to salute 2nd Lieutenants - he didn't care much for that.  I suppose he also had to take "suggestions" from them.

I think a lieutanant in any service (officer) outranks the highest NCO, and Master Sgt. is somewhat equivalent to Master Chief - and someone has to pass the orders from officers to enlisted men, and that's usually a lieutant.

Am I right?  So to from and to who whom would the Master Chief recieve and send "suggestions"

[RichieB16]

My understanding of it is that the highest ranking NCO musty salute even the lowest ranking officer because officers are considered to be of higher rank than NCOs.

But, that doesn't mean that a 2nd Lt. is more important than a very high ranking NCO.  The NCO would have more responsibility and basically have more power-but they would still have to salute the 2nd Lt.

The only acception to this (I believe) is if the NCO has recieved the Congressional Medal of Honor.  For some reason I seem to remember hearing somewhere that MOH winners are saluted (out of respect).  But, I could be wrong on that-so don't quote me on it.

As for the other question, I have no idea.  

[Wing Nut]

I don't believe there is any proper rule about that, but it is illegal for anyone not in the military to wear the uniform.  I am ex-Army and my brother teaches at Great Lakes Naval Station.  I don't know anyone who having seen you wearing them and been told they were an heirloom from your father that would object.  It's not like you're wearing someone's Purple Heart or something like that.

[WebbPA]

Nice new avatar, Kevin.  BTW, thanks for the Links 2001.

My first question was because I sometimes find myself in professional/social positions where first impressions are everything.  I want to be certain that no one will look at me as if I were wearing someone else's medals or rank.

My second question was directed towards a blowhard on another forum who thinks "Master Chief" = God.

I've read enough military novels to know that a Master Chief has to receive orders/"suggestions" from a dumb 2nd Lieutenant, and that he has to pretend that said dumb 2nd Lieutenant is actually in command, but to whom (rank) would this Master Chief distribute these orders?

[eno]

The orders would be distributed downwards through the none comissioned ranks below him.

Master Chief is the equivalent of WO1 (Warrent Officer 1st class) in the British Army.
WO1= God ..... mainly for the fact that they are usually the most experienced soldiers. Whereas 2nd Lieutenants are usually spotty, inexperienced individuals who get absolutely no respect from anyone. In the British Army they are usually University Graduates who go straight into the army as officers and then go on a power trip, only to be tripped up by the NCO's. It sounds cliched and made up by Hollywood but it aint. If you consider that the average high ranking NCO has taken 10-15 years to get there, you get the idea.
WO1 and WO2 are the only none commissioned ranks that are addressed as SIR.
Even higher ranking officers have a great amount of respect for WO1s.

cheers
eno

[JBaymore]

The civilian world equivalent is that typically the Executive Secretary actually runs the company....while the CEO gets all the credit.  

best,

..................john

[Felix/FFDS]

The orders would be distributed downwards through the none comissioned ranks below him.

Master Chief is the equivalent of WO1 (Warrent Officer 1st class) in the British Army.

I would have thought that Warrant Officers are technically "out of the chain of command" and usually have come from the NCO ranks into a specialty rating.

Would not a Master Chief/ Master Sergeant be the equivalent of an RSM (Reginmental Sergeant-Major)?

A good 2d Lieutenant will first listen to his Sergeants, follow his advice, but ultimately, the responsibility falls on him.   A good Master Chief will not abuse his defacto power.  That outlook has helped my son in his military career (and yes, he's past the 2LT rank).

[jimclarke]

I spent several years in the US Navy.

[C]

The whole point of saluting, in the UK armed forces at least, is that you are not saluting the person, but you are saluting commision, and therefore, the Head of State - ie the Queen (who signs the commision).

Whereas 2nd Lieutenants are usually spotty, inexperienced individuals who get absolutely no respect from anyone. In the British Army they are usually University Graduates who go straight into the army as officers and then go on a power trip, only to be tripped up by the NCO's.

It's called the learning curve! The senior NCOs are there partly to guide and advise the officer.  And some (many) of us are quite normal - ok, I'm not in the Army, but the RAF is close enough...

Anyway - they have to start somewhere - the RAF is striking a fairly even balance between commisioning from the ranks and direct entry. I suppose this isn't quite as prevalent in the British Army. I know a few guys who've transferred across...

Even higher ranking officers have a great amount of respect for WO1s.

Any officer of with any sense will have a great deal of respect for their NCOs, particularly WOs.


Charlie
(getting back in his hole....)

[Craig.]

let me put it this way. My dad was a WO1 his final year in northen ireland he was put incharge of workshop operations, despite there being various officers, it was his 24 years of experiance that got him the position. What you have to remember is, the job of these NCO's and in many cases the longer serving lower ranks is to train, guide and advise these pimply faced officers. basically mold them into the Officers the army wants them to be in 5 to 10 years time.

As for the cufflinks, there shouldnt be a problem wearing them as long as you dont go around claiming to be in the military, which i know you wouldnt do.

[C]

What you have to remember is, the job of these NCO's and in many cases the longer serving lower ranks is to train, guide and advise these pimply faced officers. basically mold them into the Officers the army wants them to be in 5 to 10 years time.

You hit the nail very squarely on the head there Craig...


Charlie

[WebbPA]

Thanks, guys, I'll wear the cufflinks.  And I never represent that I was in the military.  My father talked my older brother into joining the Navy, whch he hated and got out as soon as he could but it worked great for my younger brother, who went from community college dropout to Air Force staff sargeant.  I think my personality is closer to my older brother's.

[loomex]

The only acception to this (I believe) is if the NCO has recieved the Congressional Medal of Honor.  For some reason I seem to remember hearing somewhere that MOH winners are saluted (out of respect).  But, I could be wrong on that-so don't quote me on it.

You are mostly correct. ANY  person in the US Armed Forces that has recieved an MOH must be saluted as long as the model is seen or  the person is known to have the MOH. This incudes in or out of uniform. The lowest ranking person to receive the MOH was LEVITOW, JOHN L.
                                                                           

LEVITOW, JOHN L.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, 3d Special Operations Squadron.  
Place and date: Long Binh Army post, Republic of Vietnam, 24 February 1969.
Entered service at: New Haven, Conn.
Born: 1 November 1945, Hartford, Conn.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Levitow (then A1c.), U.S. Air Force, distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while assigned as a loadmaster aboard an AC-47 aircraft flying a night mission in support of Long Binh Army post. Sgt. Levitow's aircraft was struck by a hostile mortar round. The resulting explosion ripped a hole 2 feet in diameter through the wing and fragments made over 3,500 holes in the fuselage. All occupants of the cargo compartment were wounded and helplessly slammed against the floor and fuselage. The explosion tore an activated flare from the grasp of a crewmember who had been launching flares to provide illumination for Army ground troops engaged in combat. Sgt. Levitow, though stunned by the concussion of the blast and suffering from over 40 fragment wounds in the back and legs, staggered to his feet and turned to assist the man nearest to him who had been knocked down and was bleeding heavily. As he was moving his wounded comrade forward and away from the opened cargo compartment door, he saw the smoking flare ahead of him in the aisle. Realizing the danger involved and completely disregarding his own wounds, Sgt. Levitow started toward the burning flare. The aircraft was partially out of control and the flare was rolling wildly from side to side. Sgt. Levitow struggled forward despite the loss of blood from his many wounds and the partial loss of feeling in his right leg. Unable to grasp the rolling flare with his hands, he threw himself bodily upon the burning flare. Hugging the deadly device to his body, he dragged himself back to the rear of the aircraft and hurled the flare through the open cargo door. At that instant the flare separated and ignited in the air, but clear of the aircraft. Sgt. Levitow, by his selfless and heroic actions, saved the aircraft and its entire crew from certain death and destruction. Sgt. Levitow's gallantry, his profound concern for his fellowmen, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.