Black Five has a very good point on the comments between Barbara Boxer and Brigadier General Michael Walsh. For those that have not seen this video, Boxer asked General Walsh to call her Senator and not Ma'am as: "I worked really hard for it."
From Blackfive:
The difference between addressing someone with their title and "Sir or Ma'am"Even Queen Elisabeth's proper address is Ma'am. There is no disrespect there... Boxer's opponent is running this wonderful video:
Apparently, Barbara Boxer, a Senator from California where some of the biggest military bases exist, doesn't understand respect when she hears it.
As a former Army Officer, if one of my soldiers called me "Lieutenant", instead of "el-tee" or "Sir", I would know that he found me lacking. Calling me by my job title or rank is only done because it is the lowest requirement of respect.
The. Lowest. Requirement. Of. Respect.
If one of my soldiers called me "Captain", without using my last name behind it or "Sir", I would know that he found me substandard.
BG Walsh was showing Barbara Boxer respect by calling her "Ma'am" instead of "Senator." Believe me, the title "Senator" does not really hold a whole lot of credibility in the US military. It's a job, and a Corporal leading a team in Baqubah has more honor than most of those holding that title.
Sir or Ma'am is showing Barbara Boxer respect that doesn't have to be shown to her. BG Walsh can call her Senator all day and night. Instead, the general called her "Ma'am" - a term in deference to her and to show respect for what she earned.
But if she wants to be associated with that den of corruption and incompetence, be my guest.
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