MovieChat Forums > Good Morning, Vietnam (1988) Discussion > 'Son, The Shadow of your backside weighs...

'Son, The Shadow of your backside weighs 20 pounds!!'


One of the best lines in the movie, other than all the comedy bits by Robin Williams.

By the way, does anyone in the military know why some military officers don't like to be called "sir"? You know, like when Robin williams says "Yes, Sir" int he movie and the Sgt. says "Sir? I work for a living, you will address me as Sgt. Major Dickerson". What is that all about? Does anyone in the military know?? Thanks.

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Commissioned Officers are addressed as "sir", Non-commissioned officer (E5 Sgt, up to E9 Command Sgt Major) are address either as Sgt, or their full title "Command Sgt Major"

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Yes, and Army NCO's have a tendency to over-react when called "Sir". We take it personally, and to heart. We will remind you in a loud, and extremely smart-a$$ed way NOT to address us as "Sir", and when you are reminded in this manner, the chances are you will NOT forget, and the incident WON'T be repeated.
My Drill Sergeants always equivocated being called "Sir"="A$$hole"
Just a short lesson in military customs and courtesy.

Refusal to believe does not negate the truth.

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Air Force personnel refer to their own NCOs as 'sir/maam', so it could've been a miscommunication as well.

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[deleted]

Plus, in boot camp, you get the fact that NCO's are not to be addressed as "sir" bludgeoned into your head about a million times, so making that mistake is pretty inexcusable.

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[deleted]

So how come in various camp movies, like Full Metal Jacket, the recruits address their Drill Instructors (who are always NCOs) as "Sir"?
Calling NCOs "Sir" in boot camp is acceptable, depending on the camp. My instructors at Great Lakes were called "Sir".

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[deleted]

Because only comissioned officers are addressed as 'Sir'. A non-comissioned officer is 'one of the men' as opposed to an 'officer' - they are generally pretty insulted because it indicates that they think that they are above the rest of the men. In England the highest NC rank is Warrant Officer Class One (I think, although it might be Regimental Sergeant Major, the Warrent Officers confuse me a bit when it comes to levels of rank).

When you go on cadet camp you learn pretty quickly not to call a sergeant 'Sir', or the PTIs (evil sods that they are) anything other than 'staff'. I persanlly think the reason for the PTIs not telling you their actual names so that you can't sue them for cruelty to humans.


LMC xxx

Just hand over the chocolate and no one will get hurt.

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