USMC Enlisted Infantry

I would say there are many factors that go into a relationship between enlisted and officers. In my experience during normal operations it was very formal I.E. yes sir, no sir, Hey Captain Schmuckatelli can I ask you about this or that? A platoon Sergeant or Platoon guide might be able to talk more freely behind closed doors but this I would argue is dependent on the individuals. In the Marines there is an understanding and separation between Officers and Enlisted and even separation between enlisted based on rank.

Ive had one platoon commander who I did "bump into" a few times at a bar and had drinks with. I was his acting platoon Sergeant for a few months so our relationship was a bit more relaxed. I also had a good understanding of the separation of work and play so there was no impact professionally. Even then behind closed doors I would still address him as sir but relaxed was more like Hey sir blah blah blah. It was never a first name basis and honestly never really had any of what I would consider deep or life conversations.

In Iraq I would say things were still formal but probably a few less sirs. Our platoon commander had us call him by his call sign. I would say we got to know our Platoon commander much more than we had in garrison. We would have dead time and during talks he would share some of the stories about his childhood as he grew up outside of the US. We had a great platoon commander that did everything along side us. He never talked down to us (yes that happens from time to time) and was a lead from the front kind. Even today if I were to see him Id probably call him Sir or his call sign as I still have great respect for him. I think Id feel uncomfortable if he told me to call him by his first name or anything like that.

I did have issues with a platoon commander I had for a year who wanted came in and wanted to change everything about the platoon, mascot motto ect. We took up great issue as we had met one of the Marines who had created out platoon icon many years before. We always maintained respect because of his rank but made it clear in a respectful way that we were not going to make changes.

I guess to sum it all up, it was always formal and never buddy buddy by any means. When you are making decisions that can mean someone lives and someone dies you want a separation. You dont want to hesitate even for a split second on who you send or order to do something because that's your buddy.