I just remembered there that my enlisted character should not be calling her Platoon Sergeant "sir" -- but it does make me wonder: how does one address their Platoon Sergeant? Is the billet title used or would it be by rank ("Staff Sergeant")?
I can’t say I’ve ever heard the term “billet” before in that context! Billet usually just refers to our barracks. Looking it up, it appears that a “billet position” is usually referred to in the Navy/USMC/USCG, so I probably wouldn’t advise using it for an army story. Anyway, just “Sergeant” will do! Ranks E-5 through E-7 can be call “Sergeant” without any trouble, (with the exclusion of Drill Sergeants) but E-8 and above should be called by their full rank. Most are opposed to being called “Sarge,” but that’s not to say you can’t use it. Us shitheads would also occasionally shorten “sergeant” down so much that it would actually sound something more like “Saarnt,” with most of the vowels mushed together and the “g” simply overlooked in the manner one might say “ne’er.” But we don’t typically address a soldier by their position unless it’s like, First Sergeant Hobgob, whose rank and job position are both “First Sergeant.” I would call my company commander “sir” or “Captain Bugbear,” not “Company Commander.” I guess I have been known to call our executive officer “XO,” especially if there were multiple lieutenants around.This is assuming you’re talking to the person directly. Otherwise yes in that case it’s fine to just say “my platoon sergeant” instead of using a rank or name.
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