Posted on Feb 5, 2015
SGT Company Senior Medic
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Me and some buddies were having this discussion about how to address a group of officers that are all male or female. I tired to convince them that you address them by saying gentlemen or ladies not sir's and ma'am's. I am unable to find it in the AR though, is this correct?
Posted in these groups: Customs and courtesies logo Customs and Courtesies
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Responses: 16
MSgt Special Operations Weather
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If it's a group, I usually ask them who has the map and how lost are they...
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SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez
SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez
6 y
Hahahahaha!!!
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MSgt Michael Durkee
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It would be, ladies and gentlemen, especially if in the context of a briefing or speech. Sir and Ma'am would be appropriate when addressing an Officer singularly.
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CW5 Desk Officer
CW5 (Join to see)
10 y
I believe that's right, MSgt Michael Durkee.

Gentlemen for a group of all male officers

Ladies for a group of all female officers

Ladies and Gentlemen for a group of male and female officers
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SGT Nia Chiaraluce
SGT Nia Chiaraluce
10 y
If there is a senior in the group of officers ie: one captain and two lieutenants the proper greeting would be Sir or Ma’am addressing the senior in the group. If you cannot discern out of a group of all male/female captains use Gentlemen or Ladies, and Ladies and Gentlemen for a group of female and male officers.
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SSgt Nicholas Merchant
SSgt Nicholas Merchant
>1 y
Correct you address to the ranking officer if all same rank its gentlmen or ladies also according to regs if its all captains in the group you can address a group by shared rank but be cautious when using rank
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COL Engineer Officer
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I was taught in ROTC to address a group of officers as “gentlemen”. At OBC I had to walk past a group of captains and saluted and addressed them with “Good Morning Gentlemen”. Only one bothered to return my salute but he was silent. One snotty captain said “how about sirs?” But didn’t salute. I just kept walking towards my bus and nothing further was said. I made a point not being an ass hat to anyone who was professional enough to salute and address me during the next 27 years of service.
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SGT Retired
SGT (Join to see)
>1 y
COL (Join to see) twice, in all my military travels did an officer say something like that to me. That same type of snotty, ‘I’m gonna show this NCO up in front of my pals for no reason’ attitude. Both times, I asked along the lines of, “Sir, Gentleman is an acceptable plural of ‘Sir’, and far from disrespectful. Also, if a group of female officers walked by, would you really expect me to say ‘Ma’ams’, as opposed to ‘Ladies’?”

Both times I got a blank stare from Sir Snotty pants and laughs from his pals and went about my business.
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COL Engineer Officer
COL (Join to see)
>1 y
Good for you.
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CDR Surface Warfare Officer
CDR (Join to see)
6 y
Snotty Captain was wrong. His grammar is poor. Probably went to "The Boat School".
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