Can we refer to female officers as Madam?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 06:36:48 -0400

Ma'am is a contraction of Madam, ergo is it alright to remove the contraction when speaking to a female superior?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2014 8:04 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 08:04:30 -0400

Proceed with that one at your own risk.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2014 3:47 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 15:47:45 -0400

I wouldn't, just stick with "Ma'am". My bet is that saying "Madam" would make a U.S. female officer feel as if she were a fragile English woman serving hot tea or something along those lines and she wouldn't feel respected. This isn't the U.K.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2014 9:05 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 21:05:02 -0400

I'm interested to know where the term came from and how it evolved from there

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 3 at 2021 9:59 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 09:59:29 -0500

I think I'd stick with Mam and not branch out beyond that and if male keep only Sir both of which are polite and respectful. .

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Dec 3 at 2021 10:54 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 10:54:10 -0500

Why not go whole hog? Madame is simply a shortening of Mademoiselle.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 3 at 2021 12:20 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 12:20:41 -0500

Some madams run brothels.

Response by Cpl Mark Oresko made Feb 11 at 2022 6:36 PM

Cpl Mark Oresko — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 18:36:01 -0500

Are you wanting a simple yes or no answer? Is your question going to help you win a bet that you have with another person? You will receive all kinds of answers to this question but never acquire any form of self reliance if you have been unsuccessful with finding the answer you seek, despite all other resources that this world has to offer you. If the answer you seek is that important, then simply ask one of your superiors.
I hold my Drill Instructors on a high pedestal for good reason. Drill Instructors are the (googled word)epitome of the United States Marine Corps. If they taught me something, then that is how it shall be done. This is exactly how communication evolves and produces confusion over time. This is why the next generation will question if we salute with the left or the right. Is a left handed salute disrespectful? Are we supposed to take a knee during the pledge of allegiance, or is it the Star Spangled Banner, or both, or neither?

Let us know what you decide to do and then get back to us on how things played out for you.