What is the proper way to address a group of officers?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 07:38:49 -0500

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?

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Feb 5 at 2015 8:16 AM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 08:16:14 -0500

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.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 12:02 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 12:02:58 -0500

If it's a group, I usually ask them who has the map and how lost are they...

Response by Cpl Rc Layne made Sep 5 at 2017 6:52 PM

Cpl Rc Layne — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 18:52:05 -0400

The proper way to address a gentleman is sir, and a lady, ma'am. A group of either would be the plural, and a group of both would be ladies AND gentlemen. It's basic manners.

Response by SPC Douglas Vansuch made Aug 17 at 2018 2:21 AM

SPC Douglas Vansuch — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 02:21:34 -0400

I was taught to address the senior officer first,and then the others by sirs/ma'ams

Response by SPC Rob M made Aug 17 at 2018 11:10 PM

SPC Rob M — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 23:10:30 -0400

You identify the the highest ranking Officer.

Response by Cpl Rc Layne made Aug 18 at 2018 9:38 AM

Cpl Rc Layne — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 09:38:48 -0400

In the Marines it would be Ladies and Gentlemen. Doesn't the army have something on customs and courtesies?

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2018 5:22 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 17:22:40 -0400

That is correct, a group of officers are referred to as Gentleman or Ladies. An example of that is oddly enough in the UCMJ Article 133 which states “Any commissioned officer, cadet, or midshipman who is convicted of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2018 2:10 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 02:10:10 -0400

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.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Aug 19 at 2018 7:22 AM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 07:22:24 -0400

Ladies and Gentlemen is too casual for a military setting. I would can them sirs and ma'ams.

Response by PO2 Hauke Powers made Aug 20 at 2018 7:42 AM

PO2 Hauke Powers — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 07:42:37 -0400

I was taught from early age to address a GROUP of officers in the following manner...Good Morning, SIRS...or whatever the proper opening line waqs...and if a female officer was in the group, ALWAYS throw in the MA'AM and nod to acknowledge her...That's what I was taught. If you need to address a PARTICULAR officer, again, acknowledge the group as a whole and then face the officer you have business with beginning with the rank or SIR or MA'AM...

Response by CPT Jeff Robinette made Sep 5 at 2018 1:46 PM

CPT Jeff Robinette — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 13:46:00 -0400

As far as I am concerned you are correct.
Sirs and Ma'ams is awkward and using the individual ranks would be even more awkward.

Response by CPO Bill Penrod made Oct 5 at 2018 9:10 AM

CPO Bill Penrod — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 09:10:05 -0400

A cluster f, oh never mind......

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Oct 5 at 2018 9:28 AM

SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 09:28:04 -0400

I know we were taught Sir's or Ma'am's, but to me it always sounded so weird. I never pulled out the regulation to be honest. But when I was stationed in South Korea I ran into a bunch of Officers that just happened to be males. I basically addressed them as gentlemen, then rendered the proper respect.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2019 5:50 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 17:50:01 -0400

To my knowledge you address the officer of highest rank. However if they’re all the same rank it’s ladies and or gentlemen.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2020 10:14 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 22:14:25 -0400

It's gentlemen and ladies

Response by SCPO Frank Carson made Mar 5 at 2022 3:49 PM

SCPO Frank Carson — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 15:49:44 -0500

Gentlemen