Posted on Feb 5, 2015
What is the proper way to address a group of officers?
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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
Customs and Courtesies
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 16
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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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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 (Join to see)
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
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
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
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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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 (Join to see)
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.
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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CDR (Join to see)
Snotty Captain was wrong. His grammar is poor. Probably went to "The Boat School".
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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.
Sirs and Ma'ams is awkward and using the individual ranks would be even more awkward.
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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...
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To my knowledge you address the officer of highest rank. However if they’re all the same rank it’s ladies and or gentlemen.
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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.
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Ladies and Gentlemen is too casual for a military setting. I would can them sirs and ma'ams.
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CDR (Join to see)
It is not. Naval Courtesy and Customs (great book, everyone should have a copy) will confirm that "Ladies" and "Gentlemen" is the correct greeting for more than one officer of similar rank for that gender. There are such words as "Sirs" or "Ma'ams".
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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.”.
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I was taught to address the senior officer first,and then the others by sirs/ma'ams
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