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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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"Sir" or "Major Smith" or Major Smith, Sir" all are correct. You must always consider context tone tener and audience.
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Army custom may be different than Marine custom, but under Marine custom you were correct. Really old school... Upon first engaging in a particular conversation use rank and name. Don't use sir or ma'am until subsequent utterances, and only if appropriate. And, use rank and name again upon taking your leave or upon the officers departure.
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Nah, you’re good. Been in the same boat on both ends, both as the subordinate trying to get the attention of the senior as well as doing the head swivel when being in the flock of “sirs.” Both immediately were followed by an apology and the name of the specific “sir” being addressed.
You did it right.
You did it right.
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I was a quartermaster in the coast guard- customs and courtesies were our ship board main stay.
If addressing an officer alone one may use just the informal "sir" or "Madame", when addressing senior officers title is warranted - general admiral - but with a mid grade 0-4...there is nothing wrong or against any protocol ive ever been aware of to address an officer by rank and name in any formality. Its the back bone of custom and courtesies.
That said, from my stand point, you addressed an officer in a public mixed group of enlisted and commissioned personnel with proper respect and formality. You sir did nothing wrong....and the sergeant can pack sand.
If addressing an officer alone one may use just the informal "sir" or "Madame", when addressing senior officers title is warranted - general admiral - but with a mid grade 0-4...there is nothing wrong or against any protocol ive ever been aware of to address an officer by rank and name in any formality. Its the back bone of custom and courtesies.
That said, from my stand point, you addressed an officer in a public mixed group of enlisted and commissioned personnel with proper respect and formality. You sir did nothing wrong....and the sergeant can pack sand.
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Improper to address an officer by his rank and last name? That's the dumbest thing I ever heard. If you and I ever work together, you have my express permission to call me Mr. Walker or Chief Walker. That SFC that doesn't like it can come see me about it and I'll set him straight.
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Very, very simple; you say “Major Smith, sir...”
Still put a sir on the end; it’s one of the things you learn in MCBT. We address enlisted as sir until we earn our Marine hood lol so you would say “Sir, SSgt Willis, Sir! This recruit blah blah blah...”
Still put a sir on the end; it’s one of the things you learn in MCBT. We address enlisted as sir until we earn our Marine hood lol so you would say “Sir, SSgt Willis, Sir! This recruit blah blah blah...”
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You are correct, it is acceptable to address an officer by their rank, rank and last name or by Sir/Ma’am. The only time an officer can direct a subordinate address them as Sir/Ma’am only is when the subordinate is trying to deliberately be disrespectful, for example “What ever you say CPT Smith” (picture a crass undertone) or “You don’t know what you’re talking about Major”. Just my 2 cents.
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Calling them by rank and name is appropriatein any setting. You may also call them by their position, like Commander or XO.
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