23 Mar 2008 -- Air Force terms of address are a part of our everyday lives. They provide us with a way to communicate with each other in a respectful, yet friendly manner. In recent years, the Air Force as an institution has been struggling with a new term of address. How this term came into existence is less important than the term itself. This term is the word "Senior"--currently being used to refer to an Air Force Senior Master Sergeant. A debate rages as to whether or not this should be allowed to enter the AF lexicon. Some say yes, some say absolutely not. As a SMSgt-to-be, I am interested about what will happen. Let's take a look at both side of this issue from two vantage points: 1) precedence in the military in general and 2) the impact on the Air Force specifically.
The use of alternate terms of address is not without precedent. Proponents of the issue point to our sister services' use of terms like "Gunny" and "Top" as common terms of address. Even the Air Force permits us to call our First Sergeants "Shirt". These distinctive terms, elevate the deserving individuals who hold these titles to a higher level and rightfully so. In the joint environment, distinctive terms address like "Senior" identify our best of the best to our sister services. Opponents of the issue would argue that even though our sister services use these terms that the Air Force reserves terms like "Chief" for our highest ranking enlisted members in order to maintain its stature among the enlisted corps. They would also argue that First Sergeants are an extremely specialized career field (similar in many ways to CMSgts) having very few members who bear great responsibility and are therefore granted a "Special" term of address. Let's see if the battle lines are any different when looking the future impact on the AF.
From an active duty AF perspective, proponents assert that using "Senior" as a common term of address makes a lot of sense. Just as "Chief" is not written down anywhere, adds prestige and makes younger military members say "I want to be like him!" So it is with "Senior" Upon selection to the rank of SMSgt, one enters an extremely select group of military professionals. Only 2% of entire enlisted force can become SMSgts and only 1% CMSgt. Just as CMSgt is called Chief, we just want to show our respect and admiration to our SMSgts. Opponents rally historically only our top enlisted rank rates the special term of address believing that if SMSgts were called "Senior" it would "water down" the effectiveness of the term Chief. Another argument is that because our service is changing so rapidly, we should move slowly when adding yet another change. As much stability as we can maintain through this turmoil the better we'll be in the long run.
So, discussions and debates continue. Which side do you come down on? A brief look at the issue from both sides has valid points relating to 1) precedence in the military in general and 2) the impact on the Air Force specifically. Both sides of the issue have valid points of view that should be carefully considered before making any formal decision. While it appears as though policy has been made, internal debate in the enlisted and officer corps continues and "Senior" can be heard more and more as the Air Force becomes more comfortable and embraces the term. Once the term becomes entrenched in our vocabulary, it will be difficult to remove.