When a lieutenant colonel uses the phone, answering or calling, how should they address themselves, lieutenant colonel or colonel?

<p>When on the phone, I agree that a Lt Col should say "Lt Col", but in person&nbsp;it is ok for someone to address a "Lt Col' as "Colonel".&nbsp; Just like it is ok for the following ranks to be addressed as:</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"Lieutenant"&nbsp;for 2Lt &amp; 1Lt</p><p>"General"&nbsp;for Brig, Maj and Lt Generals</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Great question, thanks for posting.</p>

Personally I introduce myself as MSG Stankovich whether it is telephonically, via email or in person.&nbsp;&nbsp;I do it to ensure that the person that I am&nbsp;engaging with knows that I&nbsp;am a MSG.&nbsp; After initial introductions are over, if you want to fall back into what&nbsp;the&nbsp;regulation states about addressing SGT-MSG (minus 1SG) as SGT, then so be it.&nbsp; I think it is important to establish who you are in the beginning of any engagement.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Anyone and everyone can call a LTC "Colonel", except the LTC in reference to himself. It shouldn't only apply on the telephone, but any time the soldier identifies or introduces himself, in or out of uniform.

Protocol dictates a Lieutenant Colonel identifies themselves as a Lieutenant Colonel when their rank is not easily distinguished, such as a phone conversation or VTC and when introducing themselves to an audience. The old adage of when in doubt, use LTC Is the best practice

I didn't realize that LTCs and COLs perceived that the prestige/respect difference in their ranks were that different.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I can see how confusion could ensue though as most COLs would call a LTC by their first name as would LTCs to other LTCs. If you weren't sure if the person on the other end was equal or higher rank, you wouldn't know whether to ask to call them by their first name or not.</div><div><br></div><div>Other than that, not sure what the difference would be in how you would speak to someone on the phone - I would think you would give them the same respect and common courtesy.</div><div><br></div><div>As a Sergeant Major, if a Soldier answers the phone Sergeant, I'm good with that as I would treat an E5 Sergeant the with the same respect as an E8 Sergeant.</div>

I would normally address such an issue as "From The IG Desk," but I'm going to step out of that role and answer this question from personal experience as a soldier. The Air Force has a bad habit of allowing LTC's to be addressed as "Colonel," and I have overheard this numerous times (I grew up in the Air Force my first 19 years of life). Moreover, on many occasions I've witnessed media types doing the same thing. Now them, I can excuse as ignorant of military rank protocol, but not any member of any military service. As a full Colonel, I had an encounter with an Air Force LTC in Iraq who was indignant that I did not address him as "Colonel" when introduced at a briefing. My response? "If you are embarrassed by the rank you're wearing, then take it off and go home. If your branch of the military allows you to promote yourself, then you will address me as 'Brigadier General.'' The entire encounter was stupid, from my point of view, being driven by nothing more than ego and hubris. I've worn every Enlisted stripe, Warrant bar, and Commissioned insignia with silent pride at every step of the game. I have every right to expect others to do the same.

Sir,

I answer the phone:

"Bravo Company 30th BSTB Sergeant First Class Weems Speaking, how may I help you sir or ma'am".

I use my rank and not how I am addressed. This also creates awkward moments (like the one you describe to SSG Burns) when dealing with civilians at times, but I just ask them to call me "(insert preference)" and we move on. This seems to be the most effective way I have discovered.

It is interesting to note that most NCOs I know do this as well, but it identifies them as a higher rank than the connotation of how they are addressed. At the same time Officers have the inverse issue.

That's where the term "telephone colonel" came from isn't it?

Worked at joint command headquarters for many years as a Lt Col. Almost always used "lieutenant colonel". I think we did that because joint service organizations (Joint Staff, Combatant Command Headquarters, Service Component Command Headquarters) were filled with O-5s and O-6s and there was a distinct difference between the two ranks. Colonels from outside the organization wanted to be sure they were speaking to a peer (O-6) oftentimes regardless of the Lt Col's position. I've heard, "Oh, if you're just a lieutenant colonel, then I need to talk with your O-6." The best answer I was able to give, and quite honestly, was, "I'm sorry sir, I work directly for a Major General. I can give you his secretary's number if you like."

The bottom line is clarification. If leaving out any information will lead to someone possibly getting the wrong impression, CLARIFY! I always introduce myself as Lieutenant Colonel Sorensen over the phone or to a large group where my rank may not be visible. I also use the full rank when introducing someone of that rank. When addressing someone of that rank, I will usually just use "Colonel" since we both know what rank they hold.
On a similar note, back when I was a Captain and serving in a joint environment with Navy personnel, I always referred to myself as Army-Captain Sorensen.
Overall, it wasn't that difficult an adjustment.

We used to actually refer to those as "telephone colonels". It's very misleading. I normally answer the phone identifying myself as Sergeant. This is the appropriate address for a SGT through MSG. However, it has the same potential for misunderstand as a SSG may now think they're talking to a SGT when they're talking to a MSG and there are times where that SSG may overstep their bounds thinking they're senior to the person they're addressing. The key here is to treat everyone with the same amount of respect. Also, answer the phone with your full rank.

When I answered the phone, I always did so as "Lieutenant Colonel McCarty." However, I was saddened to see that SecNav finally caught on and recently mandated that when calling Navy phone numbers, Marine officers are now required to say "This is Marine Captain_____ calling." Boy, we used to get so much more cooperation when I was at, e.g., Subic Bay." I also really appreciated Captain Doc Lamb, USN, who, back in the day when Navy officers LCdr and below were referred to as Mr, required his officers in USS Newport, to call Marine officers above 2d Lieutenant by their correct title. (In the old Corps, 2dLts were Mister and 1stLts were Lieutenant.). But then, Captain Lamb had once held the much higher rank of PFC, USMC at a little flyspeck in the Pacific called Iwo Jima, so he understood.

I address myself as Lieutenant Colonel - I almost feel awkward when somebody addresses me as Colonel. There's a big difference between the two ranks and I never want to misrepresent that I'm the higher rank. Only thing is, I get irritated that my title is so long I feel like it takes forever to get to my name and I fumble sometimes trying to say it really fast.

Sir, personally I think it depends on who's calling.  If they're calling your cell phone you've got the edge with caller ID coming in to play.  I'd say that if you know the caller, the abbreviated "Colonel ________" should work.  However, if the call was from a superior or an unknown number I'd probably up the formality and use full rank.

He's a "telephone Colonel"! When I was LTC, that's how I self-identified. When I was O-6 then I was Col.

I think the main guiding principle is to show respect and consideration for the person with whom you are speaking on the phone, so as to not give him or her misinformation or make them look or feel foolish (regardless of relative rank).
It is a matter of both courtesy and professionalism.
I do (personally) feel it is bordering on misdirection to introduce yourself on the phone as "colonel" when you are a Lt Col. It may be simple pride, but it's a slippery slope.
When the rank is clear by context, such as in an in-person meeting of people who are acquainted, it probably matters little... But I always err on the side of "referring up" to others, not myself.
My 2 cents. That and $2.97 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks...
UNCLE

I appreciate your frustration Colonel aka LTC and I agree with you,on the other hand once you leave the military and join the civilian work force, the best advice I can give is such irritants that only offend the ego need to be left behing in the military. RLTW!

And you all think the Navy is hosed up. Oh wait , we have Commanders, Lt. Commanders, Vice Admirals, Lieutenants, Lt. Junior Grade, and confuse everyone with our Captains and Lieutenants.

Or how about being an Air Force Captain visiting a Navy installation and calling someone. If you just say Captain they assume your are a Navy O-6 instead of an O-3 in the Air Force.

Again we see the Army identity problem. Call a duck a duck. We call all ranks of Sargent "Sargent". All General are "General". 2LT and 1LT are LTs. The Corps is a bit tighter on using full rank when identifying Marines. And for all our sake, don't use pay grade!