[John]

As a former soldier, let me throw in my two bits: Commissioned officers (second lieutenant/ensign and above, all the way to four-star general/admiral) are like managers. Non-commissioned officers(sergeants) are like foremen. Officers get their commissions from attending a military academy, going through ROTC in college, Officers Candidate School (many former enlisted do this) or battlefield commission. Only officers are called ‘Sir’ or ‘Ma’am,’ depending. If you call a sergeant ‘sir,’ you will usually get a funny look, followed by ‘Sir? I work for a living!’ The implication, of course, is that officers don’t get down and dirty with the troops, while sergeants do. I would venture to guess that referring to a member of the military by the rank is correct, if you know the rank. I was always brought up to refer to folks older than me as ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am,’ and it was no big deal to do it, especially if I was in uniform and talking to someone in civilian clothes. A general rule of thumb: if you’re not sure you’re talking to an officer (in civvies or on the other end of a phone), assume you are talking to someone senior until told otherwise. ‘When in doubt, whip it out!’ If you salute a sergeant, you’ll get a butt chewing. If you fail to salute an officer, you’ll get a bigger butt chewing, if not worse. In addition, officers are saluted by folks junior to them in rank. The only times one doesn’t salute are when in civilian clothes, if you’re in confinement (you’ve dishonored your profession and are not entitled to give the salute) or are under battlefield conditions (you don’t want an enemy sniper to know who the officers are). That said, non-commissioned officers generally have more experience. Officers command the Army, non-commissioned officers run the Army.

User Detail :  

Name : John, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Catholic, Age : 20, City : Tampa Bay, State : FL, Country : United States, Occupation : Customer service, former soldier, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Lower middle class, 

[John]

I can’t speak for other people, but as to why I’m a cat person, they were always around when I was growing up, and now I can’t imagine being without them. I have four. They’re loyal and lovable. When I was incapacitated by a recent injury, they would stay with me while I rested. When I’m down, they cuddle up. They are great listeners – and can’t talk to others about what you tell them.

User Detail :  

Name : John, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Catholic, Age : 20, City : Tampa Bay, State : FL, Country : United States, Occupation : Customer service, former soldier, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Lower middle class, 

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