Mild Mess Up (x2) with my BGO

akb33

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Hello to everyone on this site! I have been reading these forums religiously for the past two years to gather as much information as possible on the Academies as I am seriously considering going that route -- thank you all for the valuable insight you share on here every day.

I reached out to my BGO (a senior officer) today via email and accidentally referred to him as mister instead of sir. He corrected me in his reply and I proceeded to then call him and profusely apologize for the slip. He told me not to worry about it, but I then proceeded to slip up once more and end the call with "Beat Navy" instead of "Beat Army" as my family is Army and I have grown up saying the former.

I know that the second reason is somewhat silly for me to freak out so much over, but at the same time I'm terrified that I made a horrible first impression. I was a nervous wreck and did not know what I was saying. Is this enough for him to put me in his 'no' pile?
 
No it's not. Don't worry about it. Remember, he has more experience in life than you, but he still pulls his pants on one leg at a time. No need to get so nervous.
 
You will be fine. Let it go and focus on the future.
 
I reached out to my BGO (a senior officer) today via email and accidentally referred to him as mister instead of sir. He corrected me in his reply and I proceeded to then call him and profusely apologize for the slip.
Sounds to me like he has a lot of time on his hands to correct you about something as unimportant as you calling him Mister instead of sir. Kind of ironic, seeing as how officers in the Navy have traditionally been referred to as "Mister" anyway.
 
Some officers, especially Marines, tend to care a lot about those minor etiquette details. But there's no reason you would have known to use "Sir" and your BGO knows that. He won't count it against you. Some minor embarrassments like this will happen early in your career, especially if you join the military and get thrown into an entirely new way of life. Learn from it and move on.
 
Sounds to me like he has a lot of time on his hands to correct you about something as unimportant as you calling him Mister instead of sir. Kind of ironic, seeing as how officers in the Navy have traditionally been referred to as "Mister" anyway.

No “Mister/Ms.” for senior Navy officers, always rank. Junior officers, yes, think of the classic WWII Navy movie, “Mister Roberts.” Coast Guard may be the same. Marines are definitely rank from O-1 on, and I think Army and Air Force are the same, no “Mister” usage.

But I agree about the correction...
 
Some officers, especially Marines, tend to care a lot about those minor etiquette details.
Similarly, I've never understood why the Marine Corps insists on always addressing enlisted members by their full rank (i.e. Master Sergeant instead of just "Sergeant" or Staff Sergeant instead of "Sergeant"). Whereas the Army and Air Force usually abbreviate the ranks in normal conversation.
 
I've never understood why the Marine Corps insists on always addressing enlisted members by their full rank (i.e. Master Sergeant instead of just "Sergeant" or Staff Sergeant instead of "Sergeant"). W

Because they earned it... and BTW, I've never heard anyone call a Senior or Master Chief simply "Chief" (and live to talk about it :)).

For OP -- don't sweat it. You handled it right with the follow up call, and the Beat Navy will be something to break the ice when you meet.

For the Candidates sweating the first contact with their BGO -- RELAX ! We really don't have "VETO" power on your application, and sometimes I really wonder how much our input is weighted. Sure, first impressions count, but we know you're nervous. That's one of the reasons I often wait a day or two before submitting my interview evaluation -- I usually write it up, or at least outline with initial impressions, immediately after the interview, but sit on it for a day before submitting.
 
The question the OP asks is a good reminder to all applicants. SLOW down, proof-read before clicking 'send' and think about what you are saying in person. This is NOT a race to be the first to apply. If doing phone interviews, go to a quiet part of the house, turn off the TV/radio, put the dog outside, etc. to avoid distractions. A little planning goes a long way.
 
I reached out to my BGO (a senior officer) today via email and accidentally referred to him as mister instead of sir. He corrected me in his reply and I proceeded to then call him and profusely apologize for the slip.
Sounds to me like he has a lot of time on his hands to correct you about something as unimportant as you calling him Mister instead of sir. Kind of ironic, seeing as how officers in the Navy have traditionally been referred to as "Mister" anyway.

Very junior officers in the Navy are refereed to as Mister and it's often not done in the most complementary manner
 
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