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I was recently doing research that was tasked by one of the staff officers in my unit. Upon completion, I addressed the officer across the room: "Major 'Smith', I found what you were looking for...." The Major thanked me and asked me to forward it to him. Shortly afterwards, I was pulled aside by a SFC and informed that it was improper to address the officer in that manner; unless I was his peer or supervisor, I should always use "sir/ma'am".
I defended myself by pointing out that there were several "sirs" in the room and that required my use of Rank and Name to single out the target I was addressing.
My question for the RP nation: what is the correct protocol here?
I defended myself by pointing out that there were several "sirs" in the room and that required my use of Rank and Name to single out the target I was addressing.
My question for the RP nation: what is the correct protocol here?
Customs and Courtesies
Officers
Rank
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 33
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Wow, it is unfortunate that the SFC felt the need to address that situation. I could understand if you were disrespectful but you addressed the individual by Rank and Last name.
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Same situations have happened to me, and I've done the same by calling them by there rank and name due to the many other officers in the AO and I've never gotten chewed out for it.
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Working in a career field dominated by officers, I think you're fine using their rank and last name.
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1SG (Join to see), I would have done the exact same thing. I do understand wanting to put a "sir" in there somewhere. I might say, "Major Smith, I found what you were looking for, sir." Just to be extra careful and respectful, because I do see the SFC's point.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
If an officer is tabbed, I always salute with a "Rangers Lead the Way". I catch them by surprise.
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Maybe that's an Army thing, but I have worked with predominantly Army, Marine, Navy and Coalition and the only thing I have heard is that use of simply "Sir/Ma'am" is the minimal standard. It is much more proper to use their rank and (last) name. For that matter, I have inadvertently used an officer's first name twice in my career - in both cases all present simply pretended they hadn't heard it (in one case, the officer was former enlisted and we had both worked on the same contract as civilians so had spent over a year being on a first name basis).
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Thanks all. I knew I was correct, but I thought the question might make some good RP fodder so I posted it.
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Marine Corps has always made a point to address all officers by rank and last name! Even our staff NCO’s are adamant about their specific ranks being included with their last names. (e.g. Staff Sergeant not Sergeant. Gunnery Sergeant or Gunny. etc.)
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