Do I call "at ease" when a sgt. maj leaves the building, even if he came for only a few minutes?

Question

I was sitting at CQ, and I called "at ease" when the sgt. maj. arrived. If he leaves minutes after his arrival, do I still call "at ease" for his departure?

Answer 1

You call "Attention on Deck!" when the commander walks by, and he gives you the command "at ease" to dismiss you. If, for some reason, you would call "Attention on Deck" (or your branch's equivalent, I was in the Marines), the SgtMaj would be the one to put you at ease.  

Answer 2

In the Army, if a SGM or 1SG walks in the room and they are the highest ranking soldier, you call "At Ease" when they enter and when they leave.  If an officer is already present, you do not need to call "At Ease" as the officer outranks the NCO.

However, if in doubt, just call "At Ease"  the worst that can happen is that butter-bar in the room gives you a dirty look for implying that the NCO outranks him!  

Answer 3

He should have called " Carry on" or "rest" when he entered. If he leaves without saying anything, you might say " at lease":" for the benefit of those who don't know he left.

Answer 4

Well, if you meant to say you called attention, you would call at ease after he left.  

Answer 5

Like JW.C says, you don't say anything to a Senior Enlisted, only unless that there was an advisement that you are to assemble the troops to formation for an attentive manner, only then the below will be in accordance:

"At ease" means in layman terms, to relax but stay attentive; your hands to the 'small' of your back in a cusp - left hand over right, with your feet at approx 2-3 feet apart, only moving your right foot.  It is followed after "Attention".  But if he should have given you that advisement to say as such degree that it isn't to a high degree, only then the repertoire command of "rest" will be given.  "At ease", you do not budge, but stay attentive, without any word.  At "rest" you can move around, but you cannot move your right foot, only your left foot, wherever you feel-because at any moment you may be called to "attention", to snap at "attention" driving your left heel to your right heel.   You may adjust yourself when you feel so to stay in a rested position and you may talk to others if you feel obliged.

But it is the military courtesy and custom that he would have commanded you to called the next highest 'Enlisted' to give the order of 'attention'.  And like Barry says, "Carry On" means that he is done with you!  And "As you were" as mentioned refers to that you all will continue to what you were doing before hand!

Answer 6

No

When "at ease" there is NO talking. It's been awhile but I seem to recall we would use that for officers too when they came into the barracks or a room there. In your case did you rise and say "Good morning SGM how may I help you"

The SGM or Officer would then use "as you were" meaning they are there but are not going to address the group.

After so many years those details are hazy but I think I am close.

SSG US Army 73-82

Answer 7

NO NO

Ignore all those answers, none of them are right.

I am in the army and have pulled tons of CQ.

When a Senior nco,  1st sgt or above enters, you call at ease. Aslong and no other ncos are there that outrank him.

When the ranking senior nco leaves you do the same thing.

Officers are different. When your CO comes in to work for the first time of the day. you call the floor to attention.

When he goes home at the end of the day, you call attention.

Your 1st sgt and CO only expect you to do it when the first get there and leave for the day.  Not during the tons of times that walk in and out doing things.

If you dont call at ease for a sgt maj. leaving. IT will be your A##

Answer 8

Uh, why would you call anything? He isn't an officer, you don't salute him.

Answer 9

Yes, unless you want a SGM jumping up your ***.

Answer 10

You were correct to call "At Ease" when the Sgt Maj arrived however there would not have been a command when he left. (except to possibly let those know that the NCO/Officer has vacated the room).

It really depends upon the particular branch of the military and unit but typically this command would be used for Senior Enlisted and of course officers.  You'll note in the following information it does not say Senior NCO, is merrily says "NCO".

However, to follow Military Customs and Courtesies to the letter, here it is.....

-When an officer or noncommissioned officer enters a crowded hallway or similar area where troops are taking a break or standing in a waiting line, the first person to see the officer or noncommissioned officer should call "At ease" and "Make way" so those present will move to the sides of the hallway and allow passage.

NOTE: The officer or NCO may give the directive "Carry on." This means the soldier or soldiers would continue with whatever they were doing previously. This same directive may be used in many other situations outside of formation, such as in the barracks and break areas.

Added Though......

Maybe the Customs and Courtesies are a bit different in the Air Force but I seem to recall that before the order of "At Ease" can be called, you first must be called to "Attention", then give the "At Ease" Order.   To come out of "At Ease" you had to first again be called to "Attention" then the "Dismissed"  or "As you were" order could be given.   Maybe this is just for Drill???