Posted on Nov 21, 2013
When a lieutenant colonel uses the phone, answering or calling, how should they address themselves, lieutenant colonel or colonel?
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<font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Calibri">In colloquial and informal use, lieutenant colonels are addressed
as colonel, however, when over the phone, when the two parties don’t know each
other, or can’t see each other, the use of colonel confuses the rank.</font></p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font>
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Calibri">In colloquial and informal use, lieutenant colonels are addressed
as colonel, however, when over the phone, when the two parties don’t know each
other, or can’t see each other, the use of colonel confuses the rank.</font></p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font>
Rank
Officers
Protocol
Etiquette
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 40
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don't you people have any thing serious to debate? Who really cares what the LtColonel says or doesn't say? We have some serious shooting going on in this world and a presidential election in a few months. That seems a lot more important than an O-5 being called Colonel!
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CSM Mike Maynard
this was a conversation started 3-yrs ago. some folks like to take a break from all the seriousness and discuss some things that are not quite so serious. if you want the serious debates, there are hundreds of other posts on here that should meet your requirement.
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CSM Mike Maynard
LtCol J W - that's the great thing about this site, you can avoid the forums that you don't care for and participate in only the ones you want to. We allow folks to choose what topics they want to discuss and their level of involvement. We especially appreciate comments and participation that actually add to the discussion instead of just criticizing the topic or comments of posters.
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Suspended Profile
Personally, sir I like it when my boss answers the phone with, "yo?"
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This is always awkward, but it is easier for everyone for the 0-5 to use his or her full title.
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When in doubt, say "Sir." I'm a "telephone Colonel" myself, and when other LTCs call me they ID themselves right off as "LTC Richard Halftrack" or whatever his name is...so now, I can call him "Richard" instead of "Sir" or "Colonel". But if Halftrack doesn't give up his rank, call him "Sir.". That's the polite thing to do, and the worst thing to happen is you'll a CSM or MSG who will firmly but proudly inform you that "I'm a (Sergeant Major) Master Sergeant...I work for a living..." *smiling*
(You just made a friend at that point, unless he or she's calling you to eat your lunch! *heheheehee*)
(You just made a friend at that point, unless he or she's calling you to eat your lunch! *heheheehee*)
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In my 29 years of AF contact, LTCs were known as "telephone Colonels".
Whenever I dealt with the Navy I used my proper rank 'Captain".
I got respect and good service. ;-)
Whenever I dealt with the Navy I used my proper rank 'Captain".
I got respect and good service. ;-)
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COL Mike Walton
That is, until you see them in person. They would probably want to kick your butt then. *smiling*
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Yeah. We call these clowns "phone Colonels". It's inappropriate unless in person.
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Does a brigadier general specify brigadier on the phone? I doubt it, but I have never spoken to a General on the phone. Does a private say PV1? Does a lieutenant specify first or second? I really don't think it is necessary, sir.
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COL Mike Walton
I can tell you that the BG I worked for as an aide addressed himself as "General"; and the three BGs I worked for as their public affairs officer all were addressed as "General" and so were the two MGs who were their bosses.
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LCDR (Join to see)
Once they've reached General or Flag level, I pretty much assume that they're all one rank. Sure, there are different ranks, but it's like trying to tell the difference between a billionaire and a trillionaire.
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Technically it's supposed to be "Lieutenant Colonel". However, that is an awful lot of syllables.....
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