2007-02-17 20:17:36 · 3 answers · asked by senorjester@sbcglobal.net 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
It is a "nickname" for certain ranks. But they are used differently between the branches.
in the Army, a 1st Sgt is often called Top. In the Marine Corps, MSgts' are the ones referred to as top. Master GySgt's are also sometimes called top, but it is more common to call them Master Gunny, or Master Gun for short.
I don't know if the AF does anything like this. In the Navy, you have Senior Chief's, and they are commonly called Senior for short.
These things are done because some of the ranks in the military can get long. But, if the person holds the rank, they can opt not to be called this by their subordinates. We had a Master Sgt who told everyone to not call him Top. So, we called him Master Sgt.
My platoon commander in the grunts was prior enlisted, and really didn't like being called sir, so we were told to refer to him a L-T.
It just depends on what the person wants.
2007-02-18 00:49:24 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're not.
Just the First Sergeant of the Company/Troop. It's because he is the top of the NCO chain of that Company.
2007-02-18 04:20:21 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They are NOT, on the First Sergeant is called TOP.
2007-02-18 08:17:31 · answer #3 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋