Clone Wars Why The Clone Troopers Always Call Ahsoka Sir

Clone Wars: Why The Clone Troopers Always Call Ahsoka “Sir”

The clone troopers are so well trained in battle and the chain of command that they even refer to the female padawan, Ahsoka Tano, as “sir.”

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Clone Wars Why The Clone Troopers Always Call Ahsoka Sir

In Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the clone troopers refer to Ahsoka Tano as “sir,” despite her clearly being a female Jedi. So why is it that she is considered a “sir” among the clone troopers when most real world military protocol would call for the use of “ma’am” instead?

Ahsoka first appears in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) film as Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan. She is referred to by Anakin as “Snips,” a term he uses because she is “snippy” and has not yet learned to control her emotions and attitude as a soldier of the Republic. In her first meeting with Captain Rex, he calls her only “youngling” and “little one”; when she mentions that she outranks him because he is a clone and she is a Jedi, Rex responds, saying that “experience outranks everything.” However, a notable change takes place when Ahsoka is in command for the first time in The Clone Wars season 1, episode 19, “Storm Over Ryloth.” Ahsoka gives her first order as a commander and Axe, a clone pilot, responds saying, “Right away, sir.” It is a jarring change in how the clones see Ahsoka — and leads audiences to wonder why he’s using a term generally seen as being male-specific.

The most obvious reason is that “Sir” is a term of respect among the clones, regardless of gender. Even as a young Padawan, Ahsoka has proven herself in battle many times over, often saving the lives of clones and, at times, even saving her own master. By calling her “sir” the clones are letting Ahsoka know that they accept her being in command, and respect her word as a leader. Even though her first command is a failure, the clones still respect the experience she gains, as they see the pain it causes her to lose the lives of their fellow clones.

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Even if experience trumps rank, it is still an odd choice to use a male-specific term to refer to female characters. It could be that the clones are trained to call all their commanding officers “sir.” Each clone is trained in the same way and taught on the planet Kamino that the Jedi are generals. As soldiers, they are ingrained with military specific knowledge, literally from the womb, and are surrounded and trained by other male clones. “Sir” is a word they are raised with to refer to their commanding officers. Coming from an overwhelmingly male-centric upbringing, the word would not hold a connotation of gender, only of leadership.

Another explanation is that the Star Wars galaxy is full of species that would not fit with gender specific titles, so “sir” is used as a gender-neutral term. The Geonosians, for example, are more akin to insects: they have a hive queen, but each member of the hive is genderless. It is conceivable that other ungendered species would exist in the galaxy, and in leadership roles, they could be called “sir” as an all encompassing term of respect.

Though it was unexpected when the clone troopers first called Ahsoka Tano “sir,” it can be seen throughout The Clone Wars that the word is not gender specific — and it is not a term that is taken lightly. In season 4, episode 10 “Carnage Of Krell,” it is increasingly difficult for Captain Rex to refer to Jedi General Pong Krell as “sir” because of his disregard for clone lives. He continues to do so, with some disdain, even after Krell, who had fallen to the dark side of the Force, court martials and orders Fives and Jesse to be executed. The chain of command is respected to a point, but respect is not given when Krell goes too far. It is different when the clones call Ahsoka “sir.” It is said with reverence, appreciation, and respect. In the end, it just feels absolutely right.

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Link Source : https://screenrant.com/clone-wars-ahsoka-troopers-sir-name-reason/

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