Calling him "Ryan" instead of "Sr. Chief Owens" makes my skin crawl. It's being disrespectful...

[NurseJackie]

... in my opinion. It's unclear to me why he thinks it's appropriate so to do, and why he thinks it benefits him in any way.

Or, am I being too touchy, too sensitive and too clingy to traditional and formal ways of respect. Or, maybe things have changed and this is the new normal.

[Docreed2003]

1. That bothered me as well...

Trump doesn't have a clue about military decorum, or the fact that he's the leader of our military, and he apparently doesn't care. I'm sure, in his or his writer's mind, he thought he was humanizing the death, or at least I'm telling myself that. The whole thing was a disgusting self aggrandizing moment and it's shameful that more people aren't calling Trump out for this episode. Disgusting...every bit as disgusting as Trump suggesting that he bore no responsibility for the raid.

[AuntPatsy]

2. It's deliberate, takes away a certain amount of respect, they know very well what they've done

and why...

[Turbineguy]

3. Tutoiyeur.

He's Mister Trump. Everybody else is first name. Like with children.

[Secret Squirrel]

4. I have a much different take

I spent 11 years in the army almost half of that was in a Ranger Battalion i also served on Pathfinder and LRSU teams as well as fought as Mechanized Infantry in Iraq.

I took a staff job at the Infantry Center at Ft Benning to rebuild my beat up body. I worked for the post G-3 who was a full bird. After a while he only referred to me by my first name, not my rank. It is a sign of respect and endearment. It also let's all of the subordinate officers to tread lightly because the old man had respect and considered me like a son.

So I do not know the full reasoning why Trump used his first name but on this will give him the benefit of the doubt. If the POTUS referred to me by my first name instead of by my rank and last name i would be honored no matter who the POTUS was.

[smirkymonkey]

6. He never met him and was responsible for his death.

He doesn't deserve to speak his name at all.

[Secret Squirrel]

7. I could have been killed

Under Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. They would have been responsible for my death and never met me either. If they used my first name i would not have came back and haunted them. I still say it was a sign of respect.

[lostnfound]

8. SQURIREL,

SQUIRREL! Among my friends is just a tool of distraction

[SQUEE]

10. It's a semi derogatory

or jocular self debasing military term..
Like grunt or treadhead or a sneaky Pete...

[ismnotwasm]

9. Trump is a pig of pigs

Nothing he does "honors" -anyone. He used a dead Navy Seal as a political prop in the most crass way. Now, I know the counter to this is "All presidents do it" but that asshole has no sense or dencency or decorum

[Orrex]

11. Trump doesn't address anyone with respect

Well, except his owner Vladimir Putin.

Your own military service has no bearing on this. Trump tried to affect an air of familiarity but was simply exploiting Sr. Chief Owens in an obvious ploy to appear empathetic and compassionate.

[Foamfollower]

12. I would be deeply offended if a Bird Colonel ever called me by my first name.

First, it's a major breach of protocol and indicates a fraternization unbecoming of an officer.

I would have reported such an officer to their superior for such unprofessional behavior when I was in the army, and it would have been expected of me. The UCMJ does not allow such fraternization.

[Orrex]

13. Nice post, Saltheart!

[George II]

14. I wouldn't care if he addressed me directly by my first name, but....

....this is an entirely different situation.

The man was killed in an ill-advised operation ordered by trump. If I were responsible for someone's death I would show more respect.

[lunatica]

15. I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt but I don't think it's working

Trump knows nothing about respect. First of all you need to know your Superior pretty well, as you claim you did in order for them to call you by your first name. Second, if your commanding officer used your first name when referring to you in front of an audience would that fly? Would everyone in the room know it was because he likes you?

I'm trying but failing to be convinced by your argument.

[spanone]

5. he. doesn't. care.

the soldier was a prop.