Carter being called Sargeant instead of Gunnery Sgt. or Gunny. - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Yong Fang · 02-09-2013, 10:31 AM

One glaring thing that I have noticed in adulthood on Gomer Pyle USMC is that Carter is referred to as a Sargeant, when he was a GUNNERY Sargeant, informally called a "Gunny" by his underlings and superiors. Actually, these guys will correct you if you merely call them a Sargeant, a Sargeant is three up and nothing down, Staff Sgt. is three up and one rocker and a Gunny is three up and two down.

This was the mid 1960's, with probably 70% of all males in the service (number pulled out of butt, but there was a draft then, and most men were in the service in some period of time) plus the mere fact that in all the branches, there are many different levels of Sargeants (especially the Air Force!)

Then, Carter's underlings call him "Sarge"! The show's advisors were real Marines! Surely someone would have pointed this out before the Pilot was shot.

So, in a time where a lot of people were service people (two eclectic examples of two way non military people who were in were Jimi Hendrix and Hunter Thompson), why did this stand?

treky · 02-10-2013, 01:45 AM

interesting point; I never thought of that.

Actually,Carter does introduce himself as "Gunnery Sgt. Carter" in the pilot.

02-09-2013, 10:31 AM	#1
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	Carter being called Sargeant instead of Gunnery Sgt. or Gunny. One glaring thing that I have noticed in adulthood on Gomer Pyle USMC is that Carter is referred to as a Sargeant, when he was a GUNNERY Sargeant, informally called a "Gunny" by his underlings and superiors. Actually, these guys will correct you if you merely call them a Sargeant, a Sargeant is three up and nothing down, Staff Sgt. is three up and one rocker and a Gunny is three up and two down. This was the mid 1960's, with probably 70% of all males in the service (number pulled out of butt, but there was a draft then, and most men were in the service in some period of time) plus the mere fact that in all the branches, there are many different levels of Sargeants (especially the Air Force!) Then, Carter's underlings call him "Sarge"! The show's advisors were real Marines! Surely someone would have pointed this out before the Pilot was shot. So, in a time where a lot of people were service people (two eclectic examples of two way non military people who were in were Jimi Hendrix and Hunter Thompson), why did this stand?

02-10-2013, 01:45 AM	#2
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	interesting point; I never thought of that. Actually,Carter does introduce himself as "Gunnery Sgt. Carter" in the pilot.
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."