Marines Instructed to Avoid ‘Misgendering’ Instructors by Not Calling Them ‘Sir’ or ‘Ma’am’

An academic report is advising Marines not to call their instructors “sir” or “ma’am.”

According to The Military Times, the report was commissioned by the Corps from the University of Pittsburgh in 2020 and completed in 2022.

“The Army, Navy, and Coast Guard effectively de-emphasize gender in an integrated environment,” the report says.

It continues, “Instead of saying ‘ma’am’ or ‘sir,’ recruits in these Services refer to their drill instructors using their ranks or roles followed by their last names. Gendered identifiers prime recruits to think about or visually search for a drill instructor’s gender first, before their rank or role.”

The Times noted the proposal was being considered by a Marine Corps leadership team, citing Col. Howard Hall, chief of staff for Marine Corps Training and Education Command.

“That’s going to take some effort,” Hall told the committee during its quarterly public meeting earlier this month in Virginia.

He explained, “Honestly, that’s not a quick fix. What are inculcating in our young recruits that will or will not be reinforced when they graduate and enter the fleet Marine force? So again, we want to avoid any quick-fix solutions that introduce perturbations down the line.”

The authors of the study suggest switching from “sir” and “ma’am” to “drill instructor” would shift behavior.

“Gender-neutral identifiers are an unambiguous, impartial way to circumvent these issues,” the study states.

It continues, “Employing gender-neutral identifiers eliminates the possibility of misgendering drill instructors, which can unintentionally offend or cause discord. By teaching recruits to use gender-neutral identifiers for their drill instructors, Services underscore the importance of respecting authoritative figures regardless of gender.”

Several Twitter users expressed their frustration with the report.

One wrote, “US Marines may soon stop using the words ‘sir’ and ‘ma’am’ to address their senior officers, a new report has revealed – as part of a sweeping effort to avoid ‘misgendering’ drill instructors. This woke hyper-sensitivity crap has gone way over the line.”

US Marines may soon stop using the words ‘sir’ and ‘ma’am’ to address their senior officers, a new report has revealed – as part of a sweeping effort to avoid ‘misgendering’ drill instructors. This woke hyper-sensitivity crap has gone way over the line.

— Not El Chapo (@ScottEnlow) December 22, 2022

Another tweeted, “Marines may ban use of ‘sir’ and ‘ma’am’ to avoid ‘misgendering’ superiors…
Jesus. What have we come to. This is so absurd I have no words.”

Marines may ban use of ‘sir’ and ‘ma’am’ to avoid ‘misgendering’ superiors Jesus. What have we come to. This is so absurd I have no words.

— Paris D’Jon (@ParisDJon) December 22, 2022

One tweet joked, “I’d say something but it might offend someone.”

I’d say something but it might offend someone

— C.L. Hoggatt (@c_hoggatt) December 22, 2022

The report comes just months after service members vented their frustration about the military being “extremely woke” with Fox News.

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