How do you address Warrant Officers?

Will Boyd — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 00:30:28 -0400

Some people said it's Sir/Ma'am but some also say that it's Mr and Ms/Mrs

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2018 2:09 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 02:09:57 -0400

Will Boyd Answer from a previous Post. When is your enlistment date?

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-you-address-female-warrant-officers

How do you address female warrant officers? | RallyPoint

You call NCOs by their rank (Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, et cetera); You call Officers sir or ma'am; and male warrant officers can be called sir or chief... But what about FEMALE warrant officers? Are they addressed as 'Chief' or what? Titles for women differ, Miss, Ms, or Mrs. How do you know if she is married, and how do you know which one to address her as (especially if writing a letter)?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2018 6:44 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 06:44:21 -0400

I’m used to Sir or Chief. Either one works for me. Just don’t call me late for dinner.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2018 8:58 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 08:58:42 -0400

If a CW2-5, Chief.
a WO1, Mr (Blank).
If speaking to one in a sentence, generally Sir/Ma'am.

If I can find them, that is.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Apr 18 at 2018 9:14 AM

SGT Matthew S. — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 09:14:45 -0400

I never heard (or even heard of) a WO1 complain when addressed as "Chief", and certainly not any Warrant Officer above that. When in doubt, "Sir/Ma'am" works jut fine - even in general in you're unsure of someone's rank. Generally goes over better if you incorrectly address them with a higher-level title than a lower one, and they can inform you from there.

Response by CW3 Stephen Mills made Apr 18 at 2018 5:45 PM

CW3 Stephen Mills — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 17:45:24 -0400

I was called everything from Steve to Chief and never really cared. What you call me is irrelevant as long as you respect me. If you don't respect me then what you call me is still irrelevant, its just one of us has a problem that needs addressed to fix that issue.

Response by SFC Joseph Lumpkins made Apr 18 at 2018 6:40 PM

SFC Joseph Lumpkins — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 18:40:42 -0400

WO1, sir, but for a CW2-CW5 it has always been chief. I am a a retired MI soldier and we had a lot of WO in our career field.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Apr 18 at 2018 8:08 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 20:08:42 -0400

W-1's are sir, and W-2 thru 5 are chief or sir.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 18 at 2018 9:55 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 21:55:36 -0400

SIR/Ma'am they out rank all but Officers, and Officers need to recognized the technical knowledge.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2018 11:52 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 11:52:00 -0400

Chief is like calling 1SG Top. Regulation says all Warrant Officers are to be addressed by Mr., Ms./Mrs., Sir, or Ma’am. I’ve seen W1s addresses as chief, but the honor of chief is not given until W2. No one will probably correct you if you say chief, unless you around a WOCS school.

Response by MAJ T. W. made Apr 19 at 2018 12:30 PM

MAJ T. W. — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 12:30:23 -0400

I have heard chief my entire career. However, AR 600-20 is clear. All warrant officers (WO1-CW5) are addresses as Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Ms.

Response by LtCol George Carlson made Apr 19 at 2018 2:32 PM

LtCol George Carlson — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 14:32:57 -0400

Get's a bit "sticky" in the naval services as "Chief" is the proper address for an E-7 and sometimes used generically for E-7 through E-9. The Marine Corps adds the additional confusion of designating "Infantry Weapons Officers" (CWO-2 through CWO-5) as Marine Gunners who are properly referred to as "Gunner."

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2018 5:29 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 17:29:05 -0400

I prefer that you genuflect in my god like presence, and either call me your holiness, why not making direct eye contact. Or Chief works too. But this advice is only valid for the Army. As the USMC doesn't like being called Chief, you can call them Sir/Ma'am, Warrant Officer for W1 or Chief Warrant Officer 2-5 (CWO for short).

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2018 5:50 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 17:50:27 -0400

As an 881A Watercraft Engineering Officer we are all addressed as Chief because we are the chief engineering officer of the vessel. Our counterparts the 880A Deck Warrants are addressed as Skip or the Vessel Commander.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2018 6:39 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 18:39:33 -0400

Aviation Branch is a little different. Generally the only ones who call us “Chief” are non-Aviation. Pilot-to-pilot it’s usually “Shawn” Steve” “Alan”. From enlisted or “RLOs” (Real Live Officers), it’s usually “Mr. Jones”, “Mr. Caballero.” However, whenever I am referred to as “Chief”, it doesn’t bother me.

Response by CW3 Michael Clifford made Apr 19 at 2018 9:23 PM

CW3 Michael Clifford — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 21:23:47 -0400

Warrant officers are addressed as Mr. or Ms. and their last name or “Chief and their last”.

Response by Cpl John Barker made Apr 19 at 2018 9:29 PM

Cpl John Barker — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 21:29:58 -0400

Nobody really knows what Warrant Officers actually do, I think they are just Staff Sergeants that got tired of acting MOTO. Probably sharper skates than Navy Corpsmen tbqh

Response by SFC Don Ward made Apr 19 at 2018 11:07 PM

SFC Don Ward — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 23:07:51 -0400

A quick search of AR 600-20 shows all Warrants addressed as Mr/Ms and Officers addressed by rank, ie CPT. AR 600-20 lists no address of "Sir" or Ma'am". FM 7-21.13 lists the address "Sir or Ma'am" as a military courtesy.

Response by SPC Adam Tebrugge made Apr 20 at 2018 1:14 AM

SPC Adam Tebrugge — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 01:14:17 -0400

Worked for several CW2s and finished my time as sr wrecker operator for a CW4. All were "Chief. "

Response by SPC Sean Shimmin made Apr 20 at 2018 3:28 AM

SPC Sean Shimmin — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 03:28:02 -0400

I always said chief

Response by PFC Dominick Lambino made Apr 20 at 2018 10:55 AM

PFC Dominick Lambino — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 10:55:45 -0400

Out of the upmost respect I called them sir/ma’am

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Apr 20 at 2018 11:02 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 11:02:10 -0400

I address warrant officers with, "Lord" like Lord Vader because they're basically Siths running around and stuff.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Apr 20 at 2018 11:12 AM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 11:12:35 -0400

Each Service is different, I have been addressed as Mr., Chief, and Sir. Personally I prefer Chief, but I am fine with any of them.

Response by CW3 Eye Bobojed made Apr 20 at 2018 4:15 PM

CW3 Eye Bobojed — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 16:15:57 -0400

Chief always worked just fine.Mr/Ms works also.

Response by CW4 Scott Hyde made Apr 21 at 2018 7:47 AM

CW4 Scott Hyde — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 07:47:12 -0400

Navy Warrants love to be called Chief.

Response by Sgt Jon Mcvay made Apr 21 at 2018 7:51 AM

Sgt Jon Mcvay — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 07:51:09 -0400

Sir or Mame with a salute

Response by WO1 Mark Sisto made Apr 22 at 2018 11:10 PM

WO1 Mark Sisto — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 23:10:53 -0400

As you would a Commissioned Officer.. it's Sir... Or if using the the whole proper name instead of the prefix of the rank. , It's Mister.

Response by PO2 Donald Gant made Apr 26 at 2018 5:45 PM

PO2 Donald Gant — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 17:45:01 -0400

Sir. A Chief is a E 7 thru E9 in the Navy.

Response by SFC Bill Snyder made Apr 29 at 2018 11:31 AM

SFC Bill Snyder — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 11:31:27 -0400

Used to be Mister and/or Sir. Don't see any reason to change it.

Response by Sgt Vance Bonds made Apr 29 at 2018 5:24 PM

Sgt Vance Bonds — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 17:24:06 -0400

Chief, Sir and Ma'am when I needed to be a bit more formal.

Response by 1stSgt Donald Smith made Apr 29 at 2018 6:34 PM

1stSgt Donald Smith — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 18:34:01 -0400

As a Marine Corp 1stSgt, I'd call a Wo/ Cwo.......Mister if I really didn't like them, or Sir if I liked them and never Chief !!!!! and Gunner if they were designated as a Marine Corp Gunner.

Response by SFC Tony Bennett made May 1 at 2018 7:23 PM

SFC Tony Bennett — Tue, 01 May 2018 19:23:39 -0400

Mister, or in the case of a CWO Chief. is acceptable. Primarily sir/ma'am is the go to address

Response by CW3 David Covey made May 3 at 2018 12:24 PM

CW3 David Covey — Thu, 03 May 2018 12:24:12 -0400

Here we go... I always preferred Chief. Just like when I was an NCO I preferred Sarge.. Why? I guess I'm old school, a romantic, and grew up watching to many WWII movies with John Wayne, Audie Murphy and a bunch of other movie stars, some who actually served in the military.. I saw Sarge and Chief as someone who had their crap wired tight and were the go to guy's when answers were needed or something had to get done. I tried to model my career after that image.
So, Sir or Ma'am, Mr. or Ms. is the correct answer especially in todays PC Army.

Hell the Rising Eagle died at the end of my watch so call them what you will. Today's Warrant has more pride in being what ever their branch is than being a Warrant.. In my opinion...

Response by CPT Don Kemp made May 3 at 2018 12:45 PM

CPT Don Kemp — Thu, 03 May 2018 12:45:31 -0400

Chief informally. Mr formally.
Depends on the rank addressing the warrant.

Response by SGT Keith Wise made May 3 at 2018 1:01 PM

SGT Keith Wise — Thu, 03 May 2018 13:01:14 -0400

When I was in Army aviation we had more Warrants than officers in our units. Most were pilots but some were not. Anyone CW2 and above was addressed as Chief in an informal setting (i.e., working on an aircraft on a flightline or in the field). Mr. or Ms. in more formal settings. A lot of it depended on the Warrant officer themselves and the person that was addressing them. A Cpt/SFC or above could pretty much address them however. Lower enlisted not so much until an informal situation and/or they became more familiar.

Response by CW3 Bill Hamilton made May 3 at 2018 3:37 PM

CW3 Bill Hamilton — Thu, 03 May 2018 15:37:46 -0400

All are applicable. Sometimes chief as well...

Response by SGT Tomas "Huey" Husted made May 3 at 2018 4:40 PM

SGT Tomas "Huey" Husted — Thu, 03 May 2018 16:40:08 -0400

While I was at Ft. Hood with the 1st Bn 8th Cav the unit billeting below us was 1/7 Air Cav. All Warrant

Response by SGT Tomas "Huey" Husted made May 3 at 2018 4:54 PM

SGT Tomas "Huey" Husted — Thu, 03 May 2018 16:54:25 -0400

Fat fingers cut my comment short. All I wanted to say was I personally called all W/O's Sir and presented them with a proper salute. It seemed most in my unit just ignored them, I was schooled in military etiquette. To that degree anyone who earned a Sir and a salute received exactly that from me.

Response by CWO3 Bill Carter made May 4 at 2018 2:00 PM

CWO3 Bill Carter — Fri, 04 May 2018 14:00:08 -0400

In the Navy, traditionally, Chief Warrant Officers (there are no Warrant Officers now), are addressed as Mister or Chief Warrant Officer ..... When I joined the Texas State Guard as a Chief Warrant Officer, I had to get used to being addresses as "Chief"again. As a former Chief Petty Officer and Senior Chief Petty Officer that took a bit of getting used to. All worked out okay, though.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made May 4 at 2018 2:49 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Fri, 04 May 2018 14:49:54 -0400

wait ... what???? you found a Warrant Officer??? I heard about them but believed they were a fairy tale - you know like leprechauns and the tooth fairy - though I did get it on good authority if you create a pentagram using coffee pots full of fresh coffee one just might appear.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2018 5:57 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 May 2018 17:57:42 -0400

both are correct

Response by PO1 Robert George made May 5 at 2018 12:22 AM

PO1 Robert George — Sat, 05 May 2018 00:22:39 -0400

on the Navy side, the unofficial depends on the rating the warrant started out from. as a deck ape the warrants i worked for were called Bos'n. God help you if you called him anything else. and the Bos'n outranked Him--just ask the Bos'n!

Response by SPC Patricia K. (Williams) Elliott made May 7 at 2018 3:39 AM

SPC Patricia K. (Williams) Elliott — Mon, 07 May 2018 03:39:05 -0400

Back when, it was Sir or Chief.

Response by CW4 Jim Klugiewicz made May 7 at 2018 7:18 PM

CW4 Jim Klugiewicz — Mon, 07 May 2018 19:18:35 -0400

My TAC was 3/4 Cherokee. Addressing him as Chief was a near fatal mistake.

Response by Cpl Bob Cloninger made May 7 at 2018 10:55 PM

Cpl Bob Cloninger — Mon, 07 May 2018 22:55:02 -0400

Any way they prefer! I have tremendous respect for Warrant Officers.

Response by SFC Chris Toft made May 8 at 2018 1:47 PM

SFC Chris Toft — Tue, 08 May 2018 13:47:18 -0400

When I joined in the 80s we were told to address them as Mr. or Ms. The W.O. would then ask us to call them Chief. Sir or Ma'am, they did not like. This changed in the millennium to Sir and Ma'am officially but the chiefs still preferred Chief.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made May 10 at 2018 9:11 AM

CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana — Thu, 10 May 2018 09:11:04 -0400

I address them as Chief, because they are subject matter experts in their fields. However, it is only right for subordinates to address them as Sir/Madam, because they are officers too. On letters the right way is CWO - CW5 or MW5, whichever is appropriate. Any questions Will Boyd ?

Response by SGT Forrest Fitzrandolph made May 11 at 2018 5:42 PM

SGT Forrest Fitzrandolph — Fri, 11 May 2018 17:42:51 -0400

I believe all those with the title of “officer” should be treated and saluted as such. Lots of W.O’s flew very dangerous missions in the Nam. Thank you.

Response by SPC Keary Gibbins made May 12 at 2018 4:36 AM

SPC Keary Gibbins — Sat, 12 May 2018 04:36:40 -0400

With respect... and common sense..

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made May 12 at 2018 10:18 AM

CH (LTC) Robert Leroe — Sat, 12 May 2018 10:18:17 -0400

The first CW5 I met was referred to as "Superchief".

Response by SSgt J. Terrell Butler made May 12 at 2018 1:53 PM

SSgt J. Terrell Butler — Sat, 12 May 2018 13:53:51 -0400

When I was in, 75-95 the proper address was Mr

Response by Cpl Geoff Smith made May 12 at 2018 2:13 PM

Cpl Geoff Smith — Sat, 12 May 2018 14:13:28 -0400

Either Sir, Mister, or Gunner

Response by Cpl Vincent Cavanagh made May 12 at 2018 9:35 PM

Cpl Vincent Cavanagh — Sat, 12 May 2018 21:35:38 -0400

Typically just 'sir/ma'am', but in the Corps an acceptable greeting for an infantry warrant officer was 'gunner' or 'gunner, sir'.

Response by CPT Philip Bailey made May 13 at 2018 2:40 PM

CPT Philip Bailey — Sun, 13 May 2018 14:40:58 -0400

Sir/Ma'am is appropriate as you would with any other officer. The title of address is Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms as prescribed by AR600-20(2014) page 14, in the same way you would address a Lieutenant or a Colonel.

Response by PO1 Gery Bastiani made May 14 at 2018 11:41 AM

PO1 Gery Bastiani — Mon, 14 May 2018 11:41:53 -0400

Sir but when I introduce them it's Mr or Miss

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 14 at 2018 4:50 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 14 May 2018 16:50:58 -0400

I either called them sir or Chief.

Response by MSgt Paul Cote made May 15 at 2018 5:39 AM

MSgt Paul Cote — Tue, 15 May 2018 05:39:03 -0400

When I enlisted in the Air Force in 1970, there were still a very few warrant officers left. We were taught in basic training to address them as "Mr. ______", although "Sir" or "Ma'am" would do in a pinch. I don't remember seeing an Air Force WO from 1975 to 1990 when I retired as a MSgt, so I have no idea if the subject ever came up after that...

Response by CW4 Peter McHugh made May 16 at 2018 4:00 PM

CW4 Peter McHugh — Wed, 16 May 2018 16:00:43 -0400

Will Boyd is correct...Mr., Ms, or Sir, but not Chief....that is reserved for the higher order of respect due Navy Chief Petty Officers... and some tribal leaders, only! (CW4 McHugh USA, Ret)

Response by CW3 Chuck Smith made May 17 at 2018 3:53 PM

CW3 Chuck Smith — Thu, 17 May 2018 15:53:57 -0400

Mister or Chief.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2018 7:46 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 May 2018 07:46:22 -0400

OK, pay attention. A WO1, aka wobbly one, is MR. Not Chief. A CW2-5 is 'Sir' or Chief. When in doubt, just look on in awe.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made May 18 at 2018 8:29 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Fri, 18 May 2018 20:29:54 -0400

As a young Ensign, I was told to address them as "Most Learned Expert Wise One" but that was probably just me....

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2018 9:52 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 May 2018 09:52:58 -0400

"Chief" or "Mister their_name". Sir is for commissioned officers.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made May 19 at 2018 11:54 AM

Maj Marty Hogan — Sat, 19 May 2018 11:54:00 -0400

Chief

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made May 19 at 2018 12:00 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sat, 19 May 2018 12:00:56 -0400

WO-1- Sir, please stop licking the windows
CW2- Ma'am You are the best and smartest maintenance warrant we have ever had, but please, help out your section, do not ever again try and give a PMI class, its embarrassing when the 63B PFC's are having to correct you on which way to turn the sight adjustment.
CW3- Sir.. CALM DOWN CHIEF.... I have two folks out looking for another coffee machine and WO1 Getium was sent for a carafe of coffee from the mess hall....crap...bad call... SPC ..go find Getium and help him find the mess hall.
CW4/5 _Hey....Anyone seen Chief? desk chair seat cushion is warm, and security said he came into the parking lot this morning.....

Response by Maj John Bell made May 19 at 2018 3:39 PM

Maj John Bell — Sat, 19 May 2018 15:39:56 -0400

I ask them how they would like to be addressed. Then I do that.

Response by SGT Lou Meza made May 19 at 2018 8:31 PM

SGT Lou Meza — Sat, 19 May 2018 20:31:07 -0400

I believe a warrant officer is addressed as Mr. or Miss . I could be wrong .

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 20 at 2018 4:56 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 20 May 2018 04:56:52 -0400

Will Boyd Naval Tradition, Warrant Officers and Jr Officers are Called Mr or Ms/Mrs. The Ensigns get Pissy though when You call them En Swine. I Don't Know Why ;)

Response by SCPO Rick Hunter made May 21 at 2018 10:32 AM

SCPO Rick Hunter — Mon, 21 May 2018 10:32:27 -0400

The Army made it really easy for me when they went to the black block insignia. Marine Corps is pretty easy too, just address any WO as "Gunner" and you're pretty much good to go. The Navy on the other hand, it's either Sir for WO1, or Mister for all WO grades.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2018 12:55 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 May 2018 12:55:39 -0400

Address them a Sir/Ma'am. Refer to as Mr/Ms. Any Warrant worth his/her rank will accept (enjoy even) being referred to as "Chief". It is a nickname, but damnit. We earned it!

Response by LCpl David Woodbury made May 29 at 2018 7:35 PM

LCpl David Woodbury — Tue, 29 May 2018 19:35:26 -0400

Gunner in The Marine Corps,

Response by CW3 Chris Winter made Jun 1 at 2018 10:16 PM

CW3 Chris Winter — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 22:16:42 -0400

Most just call me Chief - fine with me.

Response by CW2 Terrence Clancy made Jun 2 at 2018 8:11 PM

CW2 Terrence Clancy — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 20:11:12 -0400

Sir/Mam or Chief.

Response by WO1 Gerard S. Driscoll made Jun 3 at 2018 9:55 PM

WO1 Gerard S. Driscoll — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 21:55:44 -0400

Its Mr./Ms

Response by PO1 Will Wade made Jun 4 at 2018 3:06 PM

PO1 Will Wade — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 15:06:42 -0400

I always said Sir/Ma'am or Warrant as in "Yes Sir/ Ma'am or Yes Warrant"

Response by PO1 Will Wade made Jun 4 at 2018 3:11 PM

PO1 Will Wade — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 15:11:59 -0400

You have to remember that in the Navy a chief is an E-7 to E-9 so we tend to call our Chif Warrant Officers "Warrant or Warrant Officer"

Response by CW5 Frank Patton made Jun 5 at 2018 2:42 PM

CW5 Frank Patton — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 14:42:21 -0400

a. If junior to him/her: Sir or Ma'am.
b. If senior to him/her or when using the 3rd person: Mr or Ms followed by last name.
c. "Chief Warrant Officer" is normally only used when reading promotion or award orders.
d. "Chief" is an informal form of address best reserved for those warrant officers you work with. The title of Chief is usually understood to be a sign of respect. Both those senior and junior to a warrant officer may call them Chief.
Note: You should not address of refer to a Warrant Officer One as Chief as they have not yet achieved that rank.

Exceptions to the above:
1. Army aviation warrants generally do not like being referred to as Chief. This is due to their working with enlisted aircraft crew chiefs.
2. Army boat warrants: There are very few of them but they have their own rules. Find out from someone who works with them what the proper form of address is.
3. Navy warrant officers: "Warrant" is the most common term. Most do not like being called chief because that title is routinely used for Chief Petty Officers. Also do not call them Mr or Ms as that title is used for navy lieutenants and ensigns.
4. Marine warrant officers: "Gunner" is the most common informal form of address.
5. British Army warrant officers: It's been a while but I think they go by "Warrant".
6. Air Force warrant officers: Haven't existed for 30+ years. Air Force personnel avoid talking to warrant officers from other services because they have no idea how to address them.
7. I'm sure there are more that I don't recall.

The majority of warrant officers are pretty laid back and will answer to most any form of address as long as it's used respectfully while some will correct you and let you know how they prefer to be addressed.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2018 10:16 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 22:16:31 -0400

WO1 = Mister or Ms., CW2+ = Chief; that's what I was taught.

Response by CW3 James Ives made Jun 9 at 2018 10:46 PM

CW3 James Ives — Sat, 09 Jun 2018 22:46:39 -0400

Sir,Chief, or Gunner worked for me.

Response by MAJ T Ferris made Jun 10 at 2018 9:44 PM

MAJ T Ferris — Sun, 10 Jun 2018 21:44:46 -0400

Depends on the branch of service. In the Army state it’s Chief or Sir or Ma’am. In the Marines, it’s Chief Warrent officer then last name or Gunner.

Response by CPO Kirk Towner made Jun 12 at 2018 5:50 PM

CPO Kirk Towner — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 17:50:59 -0400

Mr. Lastname

Response by CPO Kirk Towner made Jun 12 at 2018 5:51 PM

CPO Kirk Towner — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 17:51:33 -0400

Ms. Lastname

Response by CPO Kirk Towner made Jun 12 at 2018 6:20 PM

CPO Kirk Towner — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 18:20:06 -0400

Mr or Ms Lastname

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Jun 16 at 2018 8:16 AM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 08:16:47 -0400

As officers. You address them as Sir/Ma'am, they are Officers.

Response by CW3 Ed Vincent made Jun 17 at 2018 11:25 PM

CW3 Ed Vincent — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 23:25:57 -0400

Im also used to Chief or Sir but the proper way is Mr.

Response by SGT Bryan O'Reilly made Jun 18 at 2018 1:09 AM

SGT Bryan O'Reilly — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 01:09:11 -0400

I usually sacrifice a goat or two and then read from the 'Necronomican' and address them as either Mr, Sir or Chief. The dark one commands you to do likewise.

Response by MSgt Terry Southern made Jun 20 at 2018 9:04 PM

MSgt Terry Southern — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 21:04:51 -0400

Most CWO's I worked with in the Corps we referred to with Sir/Madam or Gunner

Response by PO2 Dax Hall made Jun 20 at 2018 9:58 PM

PO2 Dax Hall — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 21:58:21 -0400

Sir or Gunner.

Response by CPT Arthur Jacobs made Jun 21 at 2018 11:52 AM

CPT Arthur Jacobs — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 11:52:58 -0400

I was an enlisted man for two years (made E-5), and Warrant Officer (WO1 and CW2) for two years, and a Commissioned Officer (O-2 and O-3) for two years, so it is from those perspectives that I respond. The formal address or title is "Mister" but the less formal "Chief" works well. When being addressed by enlisted personnel, I would think "Mister" or "Sir" to be most appropriate. When addressed by senior NCO's (E-7, 8, & 9), "Mister" in a formal setting, and "Chief" in a more informal or familiar setting would be my advice.

Response by CPT Arthur Jacobs made Jun 21 at 2018 11:55 AM

CPT Arthur Jacobs — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 11:55:45 -0400

You will have to pardon my out-of-date experience. I knew of no female Warrant Officers when I served. Please insert the appropriate "Ma'am" in addition to "Mister" in my earlier response.

Response by CW3 Bill Hamilton made Jun 21 at 2018 5:12 PM

CW3 Bill Hamilton — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 17:12:19 -0400

Both are correct, depending on context

Response by CW3 Gary McCourt made Jun 21 at 2018 8:51 PM

CW3 Gary McCourt — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 20:51:22 -0400

Both are appropriate

Response by PO2 Steven Michaeli made Jun 24 at 2018 4:51 PM

PO2 Steven Michaeli — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 16:51:59 -0400

As an FMF corpsman I called any USMC warrent officers, “Gunner”

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2018 11:52 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 23:52:43 -0400

If you don’t know them, call them sir or ma’am until otherwise told. When you know one, they’ll probably say call me chief.

Response by LCpl Stephen Sharp made Jun 25 at 2018 2:02 AM

LCpl Stephen Sharp — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 02:02:02 -0400

I would address them With the same respect I would a Marine Officer. I would use "SIR or MA'am.
SEMPER FI (3/5 1960-66)

Response by 1SG Angelo Villavicencio made Jun 25 at 2018 8:12 AM

1SG Angelo Villavicencio — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 08:12:35 -0400

From my US Army Aviation side, my observation was Warrant Officers were addressed as Sir/Ma'am by enlisted. Commissioned officer to Warrant by first name and Warrant to Commissioned as Sir/Ma'am. On occasion I would hear the "Chief" followed by the Warrant officers name. Mostly that was from service members with prior Navy or Marine experience.

Response by PO1 Charles Pennington made Jun 25 at 2018 12:53 PM

PO1 Charles Pennington — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 12:53:26 -0400

I used sir

Response by SGT Quentin Moore made Jun 25 at 2018 5:20 PM

SGT Quentin Moore — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 17:20:42 -0400

Chief

Response by LtCol Robert Rea made Jun 27 at 2018 4:54 PM

LtCol Robert Rea — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 16:54:23 -0400

In the Marine Corps we usually refer to Warrant Officers as Mr/Ms, but most often as "Gunner." The latter is a hold over slang. A true "Gunner" is a unique Warrant Officer in the Corps, specializing in combat arms.

Response by CWO2 James Mathews made Jun 28 at 2018 10:46 PM

CWO2 James Mathews — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 22:46:03 -0400

When I first made Warrant in the Navy I was officially advanced from PO1, which gave me the rank of a WO (Warrant Officer - "pinstripe") On the submarine in which I was serving after the first announcement I was always referred to by all enlisted as "Sir." The Officers on the boat referred to me as "Warrant." When I was transferred to a Submarine tender and made a Division Officer over 57-8 men, I was always referred to as "Sir" for those first two years. Later when I made CWO-2, I qualified as an Officer of the Deck Underway and stood my own bridge watches. Some months later I was made a Command Duty Officer, and after that, I was always called "Chief " by my seniors, and "Sir" by my Juniors. In that respect, I never had any problems whatsoever. Warrants junior to me I referred to as "Chief" or "Warrant," and Chief Warrant Officers senior to me I was pleased to call the "Chief Warrant Jones" until we got to know each other. I learned a great deal from the senior Chief Warrant Officers and LDOs on both tenders that I served in, perhaps as much as 90% of my Naval Education as a new officer came from this source!

Respectfully Submitted;
James Mathews

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2018 10:59 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 10:59:16 -0400

I usually go with, “sir, do you know how fast you were going?”

Response by SGT Jamie Clark made Jun 29 at 2018 6:33 PM

SGT Jamie Clark — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 18:33:23 -0400

Sir/Ma'am! Or you could say Madam, if you're into that! Bwahahaha

Response by CW3 Brian Riley made Jul 1 at 2018 7:17 PM

CW3 Brian Riley — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 19:17:27 -0400

Never address a Warrant Officer as Chief. The proper way is Mr/Ms or Sir/Mam. I was taught long ago to never let anyone call you Chief.

Response by SPC Allen Schott made Jul 1 at 2018 10:00 PM

SPC Allen Schott — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 22:00:30 -0400

In my personnel unit, W01 thru CW4 were addressed as Mr. <last name>, didn't see any CW5 or female warrant officers in Fort Hood. As a civvy, I have my students call me by Mr. (expect the best and you'll get it.)

Response by CW5 Jack Gaudet made Jul 16 at 2018 9:24 AM

CW5 Jack Gaudet — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 09:24:50 -0400

I have heard the arguments all around. Some have referenced the regulation as it does not say Chief. I have even read where Chief was a insult to the Native American culture. Get over yourself. If you are unsure, ask the individual and they will INFORM you as to the way they would like to be addressed. Usually the ones that do not want the designation are the ones not too long out of WOCS. Goes along with the reference of Top, which probably goes back further than the Calvary days where the First Sergeant was the Top Soldier of the unit. My mother though was so joyful that I was to be addressed as Mister, did not hurt my feelings or change the person or Soldier that I was not to be directly addressed that way. Unit integrity is a big plus and I for one liked and wanted to be Chief, Officers and Enlisted called me that and I answered. The only time I did not like it was when there was a group of us and we would all answer "Yes" and sound like a group of birds, which usually would end in a laugh. Again, it is not a slur, just ask and you shall receive.

Response by CWO4 Steven Butland made Jul 16 at 2018 5:35 PM

CWO4 Steven Butland — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 17:35:26 -0400

Probably has already been said, but don't ever call a Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer "Chief". You will likely be reminded that a "Chief" is an old fat sailor! LOL

Response by Sgt Erle Mutz made Jul 17 at 2018 1:03 AM

Sgt Erle Mutz — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 01:03:38 -0400

Sir or Ma'am.

Response by SGT Todd Fairchild made Jul 18 at 2018 8:57 AM

SGT Todd Fairchild — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 08:57:21 -0400

I was told Warrants could be addressed as Sir, Chief or Mr. in conjunction with their last name

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2018 12:25 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 12:25:32 -0400

Sir/Ma’am, Mr/Mrs/Ms, and Chief all work in the Army.

Response by 1stSgt Edward Jackson made Jul 20 at 2018 5:28 AM

1stSgt Edward Jackson — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 05:28:43 -0400

We used to address them as Mr., Mrs., or Miss. We never used Ms. as the USAF Warrant Officers were mostly gone by the time that PC word came along. I did have the pleasure of knowing one during my USAF career. He was a Transportation Officer at Castle AFB in the early to mid 1970s.
Yes, there has been talk in the USAF of bring back the WO program for decades now. It was mostly considered for enlisted aircrew members and a few other AFSCs in the `80s and `90s. SAC was driving the proposal, eventually MAC was too. But the COSAFs and CMSAFs never warmed up to it.

Response by SSgt Daniel d'Errico made Jul 23 at 2018 6:41 PM

SSgt Daniel d'Errico — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 18:41:03 -0400

Simple. Mister or Ma'am, as to how I was taught in the military.

Response by CWO3 Orville Davis made Jul 24 at 2018 3:05 PM

CWO3 Orville Davis — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 15:05:19 -0400

In the Navy either Sir or mr

Response by MSgt Mike (Lobo VNV Original) Morrow made Jul 24 at 2018 4:42 PM

MSgt Mike (Lobo VNV Original) Morrow — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 16:42:18 -0400

When I was in it was Mister; now I would use Ms to a female warrant.

Response by COL Ray Holmes made Jul 28 at 2018 10:37 AM

COL Ray Holmes — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 10:37:45 -0400

It is: Mr., Ms, or Mrs.

Response by CW3 Ed Vincent made Jul 28 at 2018 3:56 PM

CW3 Ed Vincent — Sat, 28 Jul 2018 15:56:47 -0400

Call Me Mister!.

Response by CW4 John Wiederecht made Aug 3 at 2018 1:17 PM

CW4 John Wiederecht — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 13:17:50 -0400

I'm retired (CW4, 39+ years total time), don't call me at all. Chief or Mister were fine. Sir was fine. Even though I had been a Warrant since 1978, in 1988 I was re-oathed as a Commissioned Officer so I could command a Detachment.

Response by 1SG Dale Cantrell made Aug 3 at 2018 11:35 PM

1SG Dale Cantrell — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 23:35:42 -0400

Chief now and forever, a chief gave me a two hour butt chewing in 1969 in RVN, I have forgot his name, but not his lesson, it did change my attitude and I did retire from the US ARMY, I did relate his words as 1stSG

Response by CW3 Lou Peyton made Aug 4 at 2018 2:07 PM

CW3 Lou Peyton — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 14:07:12 -0400

I was mostly addressed as Mr., but Sir was common.

Response by CW2 Larry Fisher made Aug 7 at 2018 2:06 PM

CW2 Larry Fisher — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 14:06:20 -0400

You can call me by my first name, it's Chief

Response by CW2 Larry Fisher made Aug 7 at 2018 2:07 PM

CW2 Larry Fisher — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 14:07:27 -0400

You can call me by my first name, it's Chief

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2018 1:05 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 01:05:54 -0400

I usually just went with their first name or some other derogatory term, but that might get folks into some trouble outside of the guard aviation scene.

Response by 1SG Charles Coleman made Aug 9 at 2018 6:59 PM

1SG Charles Coleman — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 18:59:29 -0400

Or in the case of a CW5 it's Mr/ Mrs/ Ms Unicorn. That is if they actually exist.

Response by CWO4 Walter Jay Gould made Aug 13 at 2018 3:25 PM

CWO4 Walter Jay Gould — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 15:25:47 -0400

Chief

Response by SGT Douglas Byrd made Aug 15 at 2018 8:19 AM

SGT Douglas Byrd — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 08:19:23 -0400

Thought you had to go to a Temple to see one.....

Response by SSG Loran Osborne made Aug 15 at 2018 12:34 PM

SSG Loran Osborne — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 12:34:35 -0400

During my Naval Service, we were always instructed to call Warrant Officers "Sir" or "Ma'am", as the rank of Chief already existed. Most of the flight Warrants I served with told me to call them "Boss", lol.

When I went Blue to Green, the Army told us to call them Sir or Chief, and we were instructed by the Warrants themselves to stick to "Chief" as long as they were CW2 or higher, and the WO1s always told us "I'm not a Chief yet" if we slipped and called them Chief.

Response by PO2 Louis Fattrusso made Aug 18 at 2018 10:23 PM

PO2 Louis Fattrusso — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 22:23:29 -0400

Always as Sir. They earned that respect by working through the ranks.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Aug 19 at 2018 7:16 AM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 07:16:57 -0400

Both are appropriate. Warrants ARE officers!

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Aug 19 at 2018 10:21 AM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 10:21:23 -0400

Keep it simple...address the Officer as Sir or Ma'am.

Response by SSgt Sean Brown made Aug 24 at 2018 1:43 AM

SSgt Sean Brown — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 01:43:07 -0400

Well, I'm a Retired Marine, so I would say "will this fucking bomb work?" or "I hope you can really fly this fucking chopper!" (when they didn't seem to know how and we were taking hits!)

Response by SSgt Sean Brown made Aug 24 at 2018 1:46 AM

SSgt Sean Brown — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 01:46:45 -0400

I'm a retired Marine so I'd say "Will this bomb or booby trap actually work?" or "Hey can you really fly this fucking chopper!" when I wasn't sure they could and we were taking hits. Never a big fan of warrant officers; army pilots ten times better, Navy SEALS a hundred times better when it came to demolitions.

Response by CPO Amy Bartholomew made Aug 25 at 2018 4:25 PM

CPO Amy Bartholomew — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 16:25:58 -0400

Fence jumper. Lol

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2018 8:37 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 20:37:51 -0400

Mr and Ms/Mrs... Easy. Some Warrant Officers wont like to ne called "Chief". But once you know the person, basically he would tell you if he disagrees or not on being called "Chief". But if he/she is a WO1, then its mainly Mr. or Ms./Mrs.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2018 8:58 PM

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 20:58:35 -0400

This is one of the few ranks that is particular to each Service culture. As mentioned above, Army regs specify mister, missus, or miss as appropriate. It is common to hear "Chief" when addressing an Army CWO. Since Chief is specific to the rank of E7 in the Navy, you will not hear any Sailor refer to a warrant officer as Chief. Similarly, it is common to address a naval warrant officer as simply "Warrant" because it is an advanced rank and the term is viewed with respect, however, I've been cautioned that only CW1 are called "Warrant" as a sign of their junior status ( the Navy does not have the rank of CW1 and anyone selected for the warrant program would be a fairly senior enlisted Sailor to even be eligible).

Response by CW4 Scott Mayer made Aug 29 at 2018 6:17 PM

CW4 Scott Mayer — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 18:17:16 -0400

Chief, Sir or Mr ... any of the three works for me.

Response by Sgt Erich Schwanke made Sep 3 at 2018 10:21 AM

Sgt Erich Schwanke — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 10:21:22 -0400

Unless it has changed, in the Marine Corps it was acceptable to address WO1 and 2 the same as a Navy Ensign, Mister, though many called them "Gunner", which is a whole other division of the WO rankings....

Response by PO2 Kevin Peine made Sep 6 at 2018 1:29 PM

PO2 Kevin Peine — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 13:29:43 -0400

Sir or ma'am.

Response by SGT Justin McCurry made Sep 6 at 2018 8:19 PM

SGT Justin McCurry — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 20:19:20 -0400

CW2 and up are Chief. W01 is Sir or Ma'am or Mr. or Mrs. Last Name. Simple.

Response by SGM Charles Twardzicki made Sep 7 at 2018 9:22 PM

SGM Charles Twardzicki — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 21:22:27 -0400

Many years ago, I had the same inquiry. I was informed by a grizzled (very senior) CW5 that a WO2 through WO5 was called "Chief". A WO1 was to be addressed as "Mister or Miss." I then asked what if the female WO1 was pregnant or married. He stated that they should be so occupied with all their additional duties that it should not be an issue. Respect the rank not the person! How do you want your subordinates to address you when you are promoted? You get what you give! Thanks for your service.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2018 8:42 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Sep 2018 20:42:36 -0400

Mr. Jones works the same. It's still formal.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Sep 8 at 2018 9:23 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Sat, 08 Sep 2018 21:23:23 -0400

CW1, Mister, CW2 to CW4, Chief & CW5, Chief Warrant Officer

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Sep 9 at 2018 12:51 PM

SPC Chris Ison — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 12:51:56 -0400

Chief, if you want to refer to rank; Otherwise it is Mister or Miss, formally. Sir, works too. Interesting note Ensign, Lt Junior Grade, and Lieutenant in the Navy, are all also referred as Mister or Miss.

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Sep 9 at 2018 1:14 PM

SPC Chris Ison — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 13:14:27 -0400

So for the people who do not understand the difference. a Commissioned officer dates back to the British military where one would PURCHASE a COMMISSION to lead men in battle, this of course goes back to the knighthood, the basic commission was a captain as he lead a mercenary company, who was then able to appoint lieutenants, who serve in lieu of... or when the captain is not around, the rank of colonel came form a captain who was in charge of a column of men (about 2000 troops). he would have a deputy or a lt. colonel, and of course generals were officers in charge of everything else. generally, no pun intended, generals were nobility. For instance in the revolutionary war General Cornwallis was also a duke.

One could be granted a WARRANT to serve in the Army, but mostly in the Royal Navy for a specific skill, these warrants were usually technical in nature like navigation, finance, or signal. You were not commissioned to lead men in battle as such you can not issue a DIRECT order. Nor were you in the "combat" chain of command.

The Non Commissioned officer or petty officer, is an officer without a commission, granted the authority to lead men in battle under the supervision of a commissioned officer, and can issue lawful orders as can a warrant officer. The rank of Sgt was the first rank granted to a "professional" soldier. The rank of corporal was the most junior NCO, and it was their job to enforce discipline (usually lashes), this is where we get the term corporal punishment. The term staff Sgt came from when the units lined up in formation and the staff Sgt would use a staff to set the lines.

A private was contracted with the captain as private citizen, to serve a term of service.

Prior to WWII their was only the rank of SGT major, that was above the rank of sgt and staff sgt. The First Sgt was a duty position and would be denoted by the traditional lozenge.

Generally a warrant officer in an infantry battalion would be called the "master gunner", and this is where we get the rank of Master sergeant, gunnery sergeant, and master gunnery sgt from today. Since it was customary to call a warrant officer chief, that is where the air force and navy ranks of chief petty officer and chief master sergeant come from.

When the pay grades of E 7/8/9 were instituted during WWII they were meant to replace warrant officers, but the only branch that followed through was the air force.

Sometime in the 1990's chief warrant officers were lateral promoted to commissioned officer, but they receive their commission from the president and not congress. I think is most important in SF and Aviation as pilots are supposed to be commissioned officers, and are in the "combat chain of command", and SF is well SF. Other specialties like admin and finance, i don't think it matters much.

Response by SMSgt Ed W. made Sep 9 at 2018 3:40 PM

SMSgt Ed W. — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 15:40:28 -0400

Was taught in basic to address WO as Mr or Mrs?Miss

Response by PO1 David Jordon made Sep 22 at 2018 12:44 PM

PO1 David Jordon — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 12:44:54 -0400

the proper term is "MR. OR MS." or Warrant Officer such and such"i was taught by my sailor dad that a warrant was to receive the same respect as a commissioned officer.with the exception of the salute.

Response by LTJG John Cadrain made Sep 23 at 2018 6:32 PM

LTJG John Cadrain — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 18:32:51 -0400

The greatest Rank of all time!! Mister!!

Response by Col Robert Wallace made Sep 23 at 2018 7:58 PM

Col Robert Wallace — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 19:58:36 -0400

Having been a CWO before the Air Force did away with that rank, I was addressed and addressed other WOs as "Mister". To be honest, I don't know why the WO ranks were called "Mister"as that was the proper salutation when I enlisted in the AF. Regardless, you can't go wrong by always using "Sir", and now in today's service "Ma'am".

Response by CPO John Lang made Sep 24 at 2018 2:02 AM

CPO John Lang — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 02:02:52 -0400

In the U S Navy a Warrant is addressed as MR or MS being junior officers, O4 & below are also addressed as such. Never do you address them as Chief, the ONLY Chiefs are in the pay grade E7! Not to take away from a Senior Chief or Master Chief, E8 & E9 respectively.

Response by CW5 Weldon Wolf made Sep 24 at 2018 8:53 PM

CW5 Weldon Wolf — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 20:53:03 -0400

I liked being called Chief by my superiors. Mr by those below me in rank.
Retired CWO5

Response by MSG Stephen Zitta made Sep 25 at 2018 10:38 AM

MSG Stephen Zitta — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 10:38:10 -0400

Chief

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2018 5:06 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 05:06:34 -0400

Chief

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2018 5:07 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 05:07:49 -0400

Chief

Response by SSG Brian G. made Oct 1 at 2018 12:27 AM

SSG Brian G. — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 00:27:02 -0400

Sir, Ma'am or Warrant Officer. It's no different than addressing any other officer.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2018 2:20 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 02:20:31 -0400

Is there a problem with understanding why you have to address a Warrant Officer a certain way? Did everyone forgot our Military Courtesy, Honors, and Ceremonies? You need to speed up on your readings my friend.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Oct 1 at 2018 3:42 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 03:42:24 -0400

Will Boyd When I attended the ‘services’ for an old acquaintance, his family members were amazed when I referred to Mr Rodarte!

WO or not, Issac (at times), or not, I never had a problem with addressing Mr Rodarte as “MR RODARTE”!

He is thusly remembered as Mr Rodarte!

Issac’s CIB was from his tour with the 3rd Infantry Division in Korea.

Response by CPL William Spence made Oct 3 at 2018 2:17 PM

CPL William Spence — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 14:17:29 -0400

How do I address the man at Field Station Rothwesten that guided me when I was a young pup and sent me prepared for a great future? SIR!

Response by SrA John Monette made Oct 3 at 2018 2:40 PM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 14:40:00 -0400

that's why the Air Force doesn't have Warrants. We learned from the mistakes of the Army and got rid of them. No wondering how to address someone or whether or not to salute.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2018 3:27 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 15:27:14 -0400

Sir ma’am Mr Ms mrs or Chief

Response by SSG William Hull made Oct 7 at 2018 3:17 PM

SSG William Hull — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 15:17:51 -0400

In the Army, I believe warrant officers can be commissioned to assume a command, in that case 'sir' is appropriate. WO1 is called 'Mister'. WO2 and above are called 'chief'. Some assume that anyone who deserves a salute is called 'sir'.

Response by Sgt John Koliha made Oct 12 at 2018 11:07 PM

Sgt John Koliha — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 23:07:44 -0400

If I don’t know them pretty well, Sir. Always.

If I know them and we’ve worked together for a while, Gunner, Mister or Chief.

Sir is comfortable though

Response by SMSgt Ed Turney made Oct 13 at 2018 5:39 PM

SMSgt Ed Turney — Sat, 13 Oct 2018 17:39:12 -0400

Unless it has been changed, WO's were addressed either as Mr. OR Ma'am. Sir also works.

Response by SFC Steven Barry made Oct 17 at 2018 4:04 PM

SFC Steven Barry — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 16:04:03 -0400

When you address him it is Mr. Lastname. When he tells you something it is Sir.

Response by SPC Mike Davis made Oct 17 at 2018 4:52 PM

SPC Mike Davis — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 16:52:52 -0400

The military back in the "day," as they say, when I served. Was much more social/rank conscious than today's military. That's how it appears to me from the back and forths here on Rally Point. So, in my time, I was informed by a officer thus:
Warrant officers (all grades) were addressed as: MISTER never SIR! Warrants were not commissioned at that time. Thus they were addressed as mister for Honorific purposes only. Such a form of address was a sign of respect for personal under the rank/status of knighthood but socially equal to a knight (commissioned.)

Of course all commissioned officers were always addressed as sir never mister as per the above reported logic or lack thereof. Thus today a Warrant Officer-1 (non-commissioned warrant) would be addressed as mister. Warrant Officer 2-5 as Sir (never mister) per commissioning and knighthood (Bachelor as in Knight Bachelor.)
The Air Forces hated enlisted/flight officer (wo) pilots. Thus the Air Force logic or lack thereof for no Warrant Officers in the Air Force to this day.
It is all so clear now.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2018 2:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 14:40:03 -0400

For me, its always Chief and/or Sir/Ma'am.

Response by SGT John Podlaski made Nov 4 at 2018 12:37 PM

SGT John Podlaski — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 12:37:35 -0500

The correct answer is mister for a male...don't know about a female.

Response by Capt Al Parker made Nov 4 at 2018 11:54 PM

Capt Al Parker — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 23:54:42 -0500

It depends on your rank verses theirs. Sir or WO name.

Response by CW4 Jim Webb made Nov 5 at 2018 11:04 AM

CW4 Jim Webb — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 11:04:55 -0500

From a safe distance?

Response by LTC Gary Earls made Nov 5 at 2018 7:16 PM

LTC Gary Earls — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 19:16:18 -0500

I'm old school and call them, "Chief" or Mister. When I got to my unit assignment in Viet Nam, I had five warrant officers as roommates and I was a First Lieutenant. We called each other by our first names. :-)

Response by Sgt Dan Barnett made Nov 6 at 2018 2:16 PM

Sgt Dan Barnett — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 14:16:17 -0500

Mr, Sir or chief. My son just made chief in the CG. He is a C-130 Flight Engineer/Mechanic and has his eye on Warrant.

Response by SGT Tim Mcbride made Nov 13 at 2018 10:30 PM

SGT Tim Mcbride — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 22:30:22 -0500

SIR/MAM

Response by Sgt Edward Mlotkiewicz made Nov 16 at 2018 3:43 PM

Sgt Edward Mlotkiewicz — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 15:43:51 -0500

WO1, CWO2,Sir or Ma'am, CW3, CWO5, Gunner or Sir/Ma'am

Response by SrA Christine Martinez made Nov 17 at 2018 2:22 PM

SrA Christine Martinez — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 14:22:19 -0500

I'm prior-Air Force, with a limited interaction with Warrant Officers from 30+ years ago, namely 1987-1994, and then almost a decade ago for another year (2009-2010), but in all my time addressing CWOs, the few times I called one 'Sir', they each politely corrected me and instructed me to call them 'Mister'. The CWOs and I shared a professional relationship: they called in their VFR flight plans to me, and I called Tower to ensure their engine starts/taxi requests were expedited as much as our IFR traffic. The last CW3 that I had the pleasure and honor to assist (in 2010), reached out to me for guidance on airport markings; specifically on the airfield and flightline in regards to FAA regulations. I responded with my usual prompt professionalism, and he was another satisfied customer with whom I had established a good rapport, and mutually-respectful professional relationship. GOD bless Mister Dave Carter, R.I.P. #EXTORTION 17

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Nov 25 at 2018 11:45 AM

1SG Bill Farmerie — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 11:45:34 -0500

How can you address them when they are never around.

Response by SGT Thaddeus McKeown made Nov 26 at 2018 11:52 AM

SGT Thaddeus McKeown — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 11:52:05 -0500

I Found That Mr . With The Last Name Also Worked When Address Warrants On The Job

Response by PO1 Edward Pate made Dec 4 at 2018 2:54 PM

PO1 Edward Pate — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:54:42 -0500

Never saw many at all in the Navy but I did have a great division officer who was one. We would address him as Sir or Mr. as you wold a Navy Jr. officer.

Response by SrA Doug Arvidson made Dec 5 at 2018 11:04 AM

SrA Doug Arvidson — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 11:04:29 -0500

I was taught Mr. in the 70s

Response by CW4 Richard A. Dropik made Aug 21 at 2019 4:52 PM

CW4 Richard A. Dropik — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 16:52:43 -0400

What happened to “Chief” ?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2020 10:16 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 10:16:25 -0500

Sir/Ma’am or Chief

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Feb 9 at 2020 3:46 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 15:46:44 -0500

Mister or Sir when I was enlisted, when I am disappointed in one's performance or having to counsel as a Senior Warrant, it is still Mister, however as a terminal guy now, I use the officer rule of thumb and call them by their name.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2020 4:34 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 16:34:06 -0500

In the Marine Corps today it is Sir or Ma’am, and I know the Navy and Army have different traditions. The USMC WO population is also very small. Only one class per year gets pushed through TBS.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2020 9:33 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 09:33:05 -0400

Both are correct. Chief Warrant Officers (above the rank of WO1) are sometimes informally referred to as 'Chief', but you should get to know them first before addressing them in that fashion.

Response by SSG Michael Perry made Jul 30 at 2020 8:03 PM

SSG Michael Perry — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 20:03:55 -0400

Chief....

Response by CW4 Richard A. Dropik made Dec 5 at 2020 5:13 PM

CW4 Richard A. Dropik — Sat, 05 Dec 2020 17:13:19 -0500

W-2 / W-% are Chief or Mister/ Ms.

Response by CW3 Samuel Cook made Dec 23 at 2020 12:21 PM

CW3 Samuel Cook — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 12:21:58 -0500

Being an Army Aviation Warrant Officer, we prefer to be addressed as Mr. To us the title of chief is refers to our Crew Chief who is an enlisted aircraft mechanic. Walking Warrants seemed to like being called chief. But an Aviation WO's rarely does have any interaction with Walking WO's. When Army walking people called us chief, our response is do I have "Feathers On My Head". One AWO keep a Big War Bonnet in his desk and put it on his head when called chief. I was a prior enlisted Marine & worked for a USMC WO, we all ways called him Gunner, i.e. MR. was never used in the USMC. The last USMC Aviator WO retired in about 2000.

Response by CW2 Scott MacMillan made Dec 30 at 2020 8:18 PM

CW2 Scott MacMillan — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 20:18:56 -0500

You should say Sir

Response by CW2 Myers Owings made Apr 3 at 2021 3:46 PM

CW2 Myers Owings — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 15:46:37 -0400

My unit called me Mister or sir till I chewed someone’s butt for screwing up. The soldier in question started calling me chief then everyone else did. The school house answer is sir or mister. However chief is the commonly accepted greeting. I like most warrants did not care what I was called as long as not called late for supper.

Response by MSgt Mike (Lobo VNV Original) Morrow made Sep 20 at 2021 5:31 PM

MSgt Mike (Lobo VNV Original) Morrow — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 17:31:24 -0400

I was taught in Basic that the proper address for a Warrant Officer was Mister. The Air Force did away with Warrants sometime after 1963 so I was not exposed to many.

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Oct 1 at 2022 6:50 PM

SGT Ruben Lozada — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 18:50:57 -0400

When I was in the Navy and those WO's within the same unit I addressed Him or Her as "Warrant", Sir or Ma'am. In the Army I would address Him or Her as Chief, Sir or Ma'am depending on rank.

Response by CW2 Michael Metzler Sr. made Oct 11 at 2022 12:04 AM

CW2 Michael Metzler Sr. — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 00:04:07 -0400

You can call us Chief (once a CW2 or above)! We are used to that name! Hehehe

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2022 7:47 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 19:47:42 -0400

sir is fine.

Response by CW2 Victor Munoz made May 7 at 2023 10:41 PM

CW2 Victor Munoz — Sun, 07 May 2023 22:41:22 -0400

As a CW2 I am very proud when I called Mr. Munoz. The Sir was fine and it came with respect that the rank called for but Mr. resonated more with me because that came with technical expertise that I brought to the table and it was tradition.

Response by CW4 Richard Norton made May 8 at 2023 12:56 AM

CW4 Richard Norton — Mon, 08 May 2023 00:56:24 -0400

As the son of a Warrant Officer I was taught Mr or Ms