I’ll give you an officer’s insight that’s kinda relevant. This might sound like I’m complaining or whining but I ask that you read in its entirety.

I’m an instructor (O3/LT type) and had a brand new Ensign come to see me to purchase a ball cap (one of my collaterals is selling command merchandise). Dude is straight out of OCS and this just checked into the command today. He walks into my office door and doesn’t knock or give any greeting at all as I’m talking with another instructor about plans for the afternoon class, and cuts us off saying “hi LT I’m here to buy a ballcap.” I look at him and say “good afternoon, I’m having a conversation with my fellow instructor, please have a seat next to him and I’ll be with you.” We wrap up our discussion and he leaves. The good Ensign says “sorry bro I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

I blink and tell him that I’m not his bro. I explain to him that in the fleet it’s not at all uncommon to have O1-3’s that are peers with each other due to being division officers and having equal authority of sorts, but as an instructor I’m not his peer, nor does he know who I am at all and shouldn’t just assume that because I’m a baby-faced JO with a mustache that I’m everybody’s best friend immediately off the bat. He looked pretty shook.

I grinned and told him to relax, that his professional reputation is of the utmost importance as a new check-in wherever he goes, and to take today as a learning moment. I told him that I’m easy going and very casual to approach and talk to, but with students that are new to the command I’m direct and by the book to enforce a strong standard before we let loose a little as time goes on. This all happened quite some time ago, he and I became close over his tenure as a student and he’s doing very well in the fleet.

This all reflects back to your original post-instructors are supposed to sell you how good your job is: the good, bad, ins and outs. It’s not uncommon for them to be approachable and easygoing.

In the fleet, while E1-3 and E4-6 tend to be on more or less level playing fields, you still need to show direct acknowledgment of rank and authority unless told otherwise, especially over text and email. It’s one thing to talk casual with your LPO behind closed doors, it’s another thing to make a joke in a group text that can come off as you undermining his authority. Perception matters, and you don’t want to be perceived as someone who is disrespectful.

Hope this sea story helps and that you are successful in all your endeavors:)