> The old term RHIP isn't just scuttlebutt, it's true. :)

RHIP=RHIR (Rank hath it's responsibilities).  I use that at this season to
remind the new 'Chief's' that they are *nothing* without their troops.

 > But then again they're officers and gentlemen while the enlisted are mere
 > swine - of course the pay should reflect that.  :)
 > 
 > However I always heard that the officer/enlisted line wasn't all that
 > meaninful in the AF?   Wasn't it pretty common to have a EM address a
 > officer by his first name?
 > 
 > In the Navy that'd get ya breaking up rocks.

Rank difference .  I've had many an officer I called (in private with no
juniors around) by first name.  Joe for example was a LT (O3 Navy) who worked
with me.  Heck if i can recall his last name now!  An OPS boss I worked with
was Jeff (cant recall his last name either).  Current OPS boss is a CWO4 and
he calls me Carol when it's just us and askes me what games are going on with
the new CPO selects .  His name in private is Fred.

I might do that before an E6 that I think is a Chief out of uniform, but not
before anyone else not in khaki, nor before his boss or other officers unless
we all knew one another well enough for it.

XO on one ship I was on, was once a Chief and in the CPO club, we'd sign him
in and he was adamant it be first name only there (which is the right way to
do it).  His first name was George.  He'd *always* wear a Hat in so get us
all a round (deliberate) and after that we'd just all chat.

More recently, many CPO clubs are now combined Officer/Chief sorts.  Drop
your rank and issues at the door before entering.  Had many a happy beer with
my CO/XO.  It;s not a problem at all.  I'd call it one of the more positive
changes the Navy has seen in the past 10 years.
            xxcarol
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