Who do you call sir [or ma'am] when you are out of uniform?

LTC Stephen F. — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:13:54 -0400

In uniform most service members know who to salute and who to call sir or ma'am. Out of uniform some service members salute higher ranking officers while others show their respect for those they personally know and some do their best to avoid eye contact with higher ranking people.
Some of us have been trained to address people older than us as sir or ma'am but this seems to be becoming rarer.
Who do you address as sir or ma'am when you are off duty or a veteran?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 5 at 2015 10:17 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:17:46 -0400

When I was a soldier I tried to show respect for every soldier and addressed everybody I knew had a higher rank than me appropriately when I was out of uniform. I have also tried to show respect to civilians I came in contact with. Since I left the military I address people older than me as well as people who serve me in stores, restaurants, and the people who pick up my trash as sir or ma'am. We never know when are entertaining an angel unawares.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs, LTC Stephen C., CPT L S, SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4", SGT Private RallyPoint Member, SGT Forrest Stewart, SGT Randal Groover, SGT Robert Hawks, SPC Private RallyPoint Member, SPC Margaret Higgins

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 10:18 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:18:18 -0400

Every stranger and every officer.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 10:19 AM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:19:53 -0400

I refer to anyone I do not know as "Sir", until they no longer deserve it.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Oct 5 at 2015 10:24 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:24:55 -0400

My parents thought me as a child to refer to anyone as ma'am or sir until told to do otherwise. This got me into a little trouble at first when I started talking to recruiters in high school but has served me well for the most part.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 10:27 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:27:14 -0400

When I am out of Uniform I will always use Sir and Ma'am.. That was the way I was raised..

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 10:31 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:31:02 -0400

LTC Stephen F. I'm in the "trained" group, anyone I who's name I don't know, especially if they're older than me.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 10:34 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:34:51 -0400

Honestly, it depends on how I feel at the time. If I'm feeling in overly high spirits, I may even call my wife ma'am. Otherwise, I will address seniors as sir or ma'am and anyone I have any sort of "official" transaction with, such as fast food or a gas station purchase. As far as saluting when out of uniform, I've only heard of that when a veteran is at a funeral and Taps is played. However, a buddy recently told me I am able to salute parading colors out of uniform and whatnot, but I haven't seen any official statement there. But generally, I try to use Sir and Ma'am as much as possible.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 10:38 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:38:45 -0400

LTC Stephen Ford, anyone that I come in contact with that appears to be at least 29 years of age or older.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 10:47 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:47:12 -0400

On base: Anyone with officer rank, or anyone military not in uniform. (I won't necessarily call an obvious DA civilian - such as wearing a beard, or long hair- Sir.

Off base: Pretty much nobody out of uniform.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 10:57 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:57:31 -0400

Just about everyone, always those who are older, even some who are quite younger.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Oct 5 at 2015 10:59 AM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:59:49 -0400

I was raised that everyone was addressed as Sir or Ma'am.

Response by SGT Albert Borsella made Oct 5 at 2015 11:03 AM

SGT Albert Borsella — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 11:03:13 -0400

Sir, growing up in Alabama, I was taught to respect my elders and address them as sir or ma'am. It was hard to shake that while going through basic. You can take the boy out of the south, but you can't take the south out of the boy. It is definitely rarer and rarer to see the younger generations showing these values of respect in other states that I've visited over the years, but it is still very much alive and well here in Alabama.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Oct 5 at 2015 11:04 AM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 11:04:45 -0400

whoever I think deserves to be called "Sir".. I remember when I was a gate guard at the Boston Navy Yard and a few guys who had been on Iwo Jima were invited for a ship's commissioning and they wore gold name plates with their names above the words IWO JIMA...and I checked their IDs and let them pass and suddenly the Officer of the Day ran up to me and chewed me up one side and down the other because I didn't salute these Iwo Jima veterans or call them "Sir"....

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Oct 5 at 2015 11:09 AM

SSG Ed Mikus — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 11:09:40 -0400

I call most everyone sir or ma'am in and out of uniform. It os how my parents raised me ans how I raise my children

Response by SPC Nate Lamphier made Oct 5 at 2015 11:10 AM

SPC Nate Lamphier — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 11:10:18 -0400

Being that I get to interact with recruiters (high school teacher) on a semi-regular basis I will call them by rank (as if I was still in the Army). I do the same when I am on a post or a Military event. If they are out of uniform I'll call them "sir" or "ma'am"....if they give me the WTF look, then I'll adjust accordingly.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 11:55 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 11:55:37 -0400

I use the terms sir and ma'am in a non military context as well as a military one. I call senior officers to me sir/ma'am in or out of uniform, but also use it respectfully to civilians or people I don't know are military. As a result I've called enlisted folks sir or ma'am by accident many times. My response if told they aren't an officer is that it's a sign of respect,

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 12:00 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:00:50 -0400

When not in uniform, I pretty much address everyone as sir/ma'am

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Oct 5 at 2015 12:01 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:01:49 -0400

If I know the person I'm talking to is / was and officer, then it's Sir/ Ma'am - force of habit and common military manners.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Oct 5 at 2015 12:05 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:05:24 -0400

Everyone....with respect all of the time.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Oct 5 at 2015 12:11 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:11:11 -0400

I pretty much call everybody "sir" or "ma'am". Sometimes, when I say that to young kids in a restaurant, they get this strange look on their face...cracks me up! If someone hasn't done anything to me to make me lose respect for them, I treat everybody pretty much the same. My children are taught to be very polite as well. I don't make them call people sir or ma'am, but they most definitely are respectful.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 5 at 2015 12:15 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:15:27 -0400

I'll call anyone Sir or Ma'am until told not to. But don't call me Sir. I work for a living.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 12:24 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:24:22 -0400

Everyone.

Unless they are jerks, then I remain respectful but dispense with Sir/Ma'am. If they are REALLY jerky, then I deal accordingly. Lol
:)

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Oct 5 at 2015 12:46 PM

CDR Terry Boles — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:46:23 -0400

I was raised in the South, everyone was sir or ma'am, and so it is today.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 1:03 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 13:03:28 -0400

? when did sir or ma'am is only for officer??

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Oct 5 at 2015 1:26 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 13:26:16 -0400

This is a tricky one for me as a DA civilian. For me, it is more based on their position than their rank (other than GOs who have always outranked me). Pretty much Majors and below I will call by first name if I know them or rank if I don't. Commanders, etc., I still call sir or ma'am. I will still call most Colonels sir or ma'am even though we have equal military ranks. I have a hard time calling NCOs by their first name so that is almost always rank. In the office, most people call me by my first name unless it is an email where me and several others are addressed. An interesting story is that in 1996, I left the active force and started working as an entry level manager for Hertz Corporation at O'Hare. I called everyone above me sir or ma'am. The employees called everyone by their first name and that was the first time in almost 12 years that I had people working for me that called me something other than my rank or "sir". That took a while to get used to.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 2:18 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 14:18:24 -0400

When using TriCare or shopping at the Commisary, I visit nearby Offutt AFB in Bellevue, NE. While there, even though I am in civilian clothes, I diligently try to acknowledge everyone by their rank. I must admit that trying to find a rank insignia on some of these new Camos is next to impossible for this old fella!!!

Response by SPC Joshua Heath made Oct 5 at 2015 2:57 PM

SPC Joshua Heath — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 14:57:35 -0400

Everyone, sometime even children. I also only refer to our elected officials by their position and last name. In my academic writing, I refer to everyone with a salutation and name, even if they are someone no one else respects.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 3:06 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 15:06:37 -0400

Just about everyone. It takes no effort to be polite, but the payoff can be enormous!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Oct 5 at 2015 3:40 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 15:40:06 -0400

I use Sir/Ma'am as a sign of respect. I often use it with people older than I, people in authority like a police officer or mayor, and retired general officers. I've also used it when I thank a person for providing a service or product to emphasize my appreciation. (Thank you, Ma'am. Will almost always make a Customer Service Rep smile after she resolves your complaint.)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 3:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 15:41:01 -0400

Everyone! Whether I respect them or not, they deserve the common courtesy.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Oct 5 at 2015 4:32 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 16:32:57 -0400

I still address most officers as Sir/Ma'am and my elders of course.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 5 at 2015 5:12 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 17:12:35 -0400

I'm a creature of habit. I say Ma'am and Sir to most everyone in conversation because it's what I was taught as a kid. Going into the military just kept the practice going and I'm much to old to change much at this stage. Although there are people who earn other descriptors, mostly colorful.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Oct 5 at 2015 5:14 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 17:14:06 -0400

I call everybody Sir or Ma'am; if I don't know their names. And sometimes even if I do.
That is something that I learned when I was stationed down south.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Oct 5 at 2015 5:18 PM

SGT Rick Ash — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 17:18:23 -0400

Well sure, everybody I respect but Majors and Up will always get a crisp salute from me. I do it as a show of respect. Most of them had to work hard to get there.

Response by SSgt James King made Oct 5 at 2015 6:41 PM

SSgt James King — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 18:41:56 -0400

Everyone it is a respectable thing.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Oct 5 at 2015 7:12 PM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 19:12:13 -0400

Everyone

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 7:25 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 19:25:26 -0400

I would most esp those I respect...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 7:53 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 19:53:46 -0400

And also civilians, funny did it once to a waiter and they looked at me like I was crazy.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Oct 5 at 2015 8:05 PM

SN Greg Wright — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 20:05:06 -0400

LTC Stephen F. I was raised to say it to everyone older than me, and I typically do. If I came across a military officer in person today, I'd address them by rank -- which is what I do here for the most part on RP, because I prefer that to random 0-6's (for example) calling ME sir -- it's weird. And yes, it happens because there's plenty of polite people here.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 8:06 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 20:06:29 -0400

I call everyone Sir or Ma'am if I don't know them. It's a general respect I have for everyone. It's the right thing to do to be courteous to those whom I encounter on a daily basis. Everyone deserves at least that kind of respect. Call me old fashioned but I was raised to be polite to everyone.

Response by Cpl Clinton Britt made Oct 5 at 2015 8:14 PM

Cpl Clinton Britt — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 20:14:02 -0400

I do believe that is how we are raised. Here in the south, most of us were raised to say Sir and Ma'am. Common courtesy. Just my opinion and was the way In was raised.

Besides Officers, enlisted, and SNCO's all used to dress different when I was serving

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 9:32 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 21:32:42 -0400

If you know they are a officer all the time

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Oct 6 at 2015 1:08 AM

SGT Michael Glenn — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 01:08:49 -0400

I personally call anyone I meet Sir or ma'am out of respect, It was the way I was raised and a dying courtesy not shared by todays Generation.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 5:32 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 05:32:00 -0400

No one except officers while in uniform or older people

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Oct 6 at 2015 9:02 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 09:02:55 -0400

All ladies are "Ma'am"--"Sir"is a term i use for a male i just met, elderly or to show respect for rank.

Response by LTJG Robert M. made Oct 6 at 2015 11:27 AM

LTJG Robert M. — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 11:27:32 -0400

Everyone I meet is Sir or Ma'am, until they prove me otherwise!

Response by LTJG Robert M. made Oct 6 at 2015 11:27 AM

LTJG Robert M. — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 11:27:43 -0400

Everyone I meet is Sir or Ma'am, until they prove me otherwise!

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Oct 6 at 2015 11:30 AM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 11:30:44 -0400

Sir, Anyone who I know is (or was) in the military and anyone who is older than I am 100% of the time - and most other people when meeting them for the first time.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 11:31 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 11:31:11 -0400

Pretty much everyone I meet.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 12:18 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 12:18:58 -0400

I usually address anyone older than me as sir or ma'am until they give me reason not to do so or they tell me otherwise.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 6 at 2015 1:12 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 13:12:10 -0400

I think as a cultural norm, "sir" & "ma'am" tend to be regional. Specifically, I've seen it used more often in the south and west. Here in the frozen north, those terms aren't used with great frequency among the general population. That's not to say we don't sometimes use them, just that their use isn't second nature in this part of the country.
I'm a Reservist now so I tend to find myself using those terms more frequently with the public--when not in uniform--immediately following drill weekend.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Oct 6 at 2015 1:15 PM

SFC William Farrell — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 13:15:27 -0400

I was going to say what 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member said.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 1:55 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 13:55:49 -0400

Any officer I know that outranks me, and any person of advanced age.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 6 at 2015 1:59 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 13:59:16 -0400

Anyone I don't know socially.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 3:38 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 15:38:23 -0400

LTC Stephen F. Virtually anyone I don't already know well, and many that I do.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 4:15 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 16:15:33 -0400

I address all those that I recognize are officers both in and out of uniform as well as NCOs senior to myself. And being kid raised in NC, I greet those older than myself as Sir or Ma' am.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Oct 6 at 2015 6:51 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:51:51 -0400

LTC Stephen F. Just like your survey question. If I recognize a General Officer (Male or Female) whether they are retired or not I address them as Sir or Ma'am until told otherwise by that individual. They deserve that respect within our military system. That is my opinion. When personnel lower in rank address me as Sir and then I advise them to address me by name "Mikel" then that is how I would like to be addressed going forward. I have a lot of respect for all service members that use good common military bearing and courtesy even after you have retired. It says something about their military bearing and character!

I even address Senior NCO like Command Sergeant Majors and Sergeant Majors and First Sergrants as such, just because they earned that rank and respect. I think it is a common courtesy affored them by Commissioned Officers, Warrants, and Enlisted Soldiers. I also address Warrant Officers as Mr. or Chief out of respect for them. I think its just a good practice.

Response by SPC William Weedman made Oct 6 at 2015 8:40 PM

SPC William Weedman — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 20:40:18 -0400

I call everyone sir or ma'am. That was drilled into me growing up. If I knew them well enough it was Mr./Mrs./Miss whoever. The only time I ever had a problem was if I accidentally referred to someone by the wrong gender. The most embarrassing was about a week before basic training doing some volunteer work, everyone I was working with was a man except the director of the charity. So after a full day of yes sir, no sir when I was introduced I proudly said "Pleased to meet you sir." She wasn't amused, I apologized and a friend explained I was about to leave for the military and was going to be saying sir a lot in the near future, it seemed to calm her a little bit.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 5:37 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 05:37:40 -0400

Everyone, even the sandwich artist at Subway gets respect from this guy. How I was raised and how I raise my children. My two cents.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 7:14 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 07:14:53 -0400

Everyone should be addressed sir/ma'am when not in uniform. Common courtesy. When in uniform address the individual appropriately.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 7 at 2015 9:15 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 09:15:25 -0400

Background, or the rest of the story as Paul Harvey used to say on the origins of Sir and Ma'am from the Oxford Dictionary.
The term Sir dates back to the 1300 or so to "honor of a knight or baronet (until 17th century was also a title of priests). Generalized as a respectful form of address by mid-14th century and used as a salutation at the beginning of letters from early 15th century.
The term Ma'am a contraction for Madame dates back to the mid 17th century.
http://community.oxforddictionaries.com/boards/topic/origin-of-the-word-sir/
COL Mikel J. Burroughs, TSgt Hunter Logan, SGT Forrest Stewart, SGT Randal Groover, SPC Margaret Higgins

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 9:16 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 09:16:14 -0400

EVERYONE!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 9:24 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 09:24:48 -0400

I was raised right.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Oct 7 at 2015 9:35 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 09:35:45 -0400

When I am out of uniform, and I am never in uniform any more, I call all males and all females out uniform Sir or Ma'am. If someone is in uniform, I use their rank if military...unless they are Navy/Coast Guard because I never could remember what their ranks were...or Sir or Ma'am if they are not.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 9:39 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 09:39:14 -0400

Everybody, I might be 33, but my mom would still try to whoop my @ss if I didn't.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 9:44 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 09:44:16 -0400

LTC Stephen F. Being raised in the south, I typically call everyone Sir or Ma'am. Just the way I was raised. This is still a hard one to overcome in the military because my automatic reaction is always Sir or Ma'am, which is widely unpopular with the senior Enlisted side.

Response by SPC James Mast made Oct 7 at 2015 10:55 AM

SPC James Mast — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 10:55:31 -0400

Everyone when I first meet them, then again if I can't remember their names.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Oct 7 at 2015 11:03 AM

Maj Mike Sciales — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 11:03:20 -0400

My mom taught me to be polite and civil to each and every person I met, regardless of station or rank because you are never wrong that way.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Oct 7 at 2015 1:14 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 13:14:28 -0400

Multiple choices, When I was on active duty you would salute and use the Sir or Ma'am address for any Officer whom you recognized as an Officer. Commissioned or Warrant. But also even today I use this form of address for anyone I initially meet or whom I have respect for. Unless of course they have a title that they have earned such as Congressman.....Or Mayor....Yet there were times when you could let your hair down so to speak and You could call you Officers by their Rank. Certain Company Commanders were Called Captain by their NCO's depending on the situation, and most of my Platoon leaders got L T behind closed doors.... We even had one Lt who got promoted to Cpt and stayed in the unit who was called X L T....

Response by SFC Rick H made Oct 7 at 2015 3:22 PM

SFC Rick H — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 15:22:23 -0400

Who do you call Sir/Ma'am when out of uniform?
The simple answer is- if you know the person is an officer, regardless if you are in or out of uniform, the policy states you will render a salute and address the officer as Sir/Ma'am. When I was a soldier we went by this simple rule; when in doubt, flip it out! Done deal! HOOAH!

Response by SPC Charles Slininger made Oct 7 at 2015 3:32 PM

SPC Charles Slininger — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 15:32:58 -0400

When respect is granted or earned I say sir or ma'am. However my tone does change a bit when its time to start removing that respect.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 10:10 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 22:10:36 -0400

In my present position I use those terms for everyone, when I was in the military - it was for all higher ranking commissioned officers. If I come across a military member these days I use their rank as well.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Oct 8 at 2015 5:26 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 05:26:35 -0400

Anybody I am conducting business with and anyone who is older than me. It's the way I was raised.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Oct 8 at 2015 5:29 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 05:29:23 -0400

I could always tell the junior Officers who were raised to call their elders Sir/Ma'am and also knew I had been in the Navy WAY too long when Butter Bars (and even a few O2's) called ME Sir.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 6:42 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 06:42:33 -0400

Honestly I call everybody Sir or Ma'am out of uniform. Even civilians. Just how I was raised. Show of Respect. Even if I don't particularly like/respect the person, as a respect for those around them and myself, I keep it professional and keep good manners.

Response by CPT Griff Tatum made Oct 8 at 2015 9:58 AM

CPT Griff Tatum — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 09:58:15 -0400

I feel like it depends on the individual who is high ranking, not so much the respect of the subordinate "lacking." If you make a good name for yourself while in uniform, I think people will respect you out of uniform much more. I would NEVER expect someone to call me sir out of uniform if I was a bag of smashed booty while IN uniform. Sure, I am in a "positional" leadership position to everyone who passes me. However, I am not a pinnacle leader (you would know exactly what I mean if you have read the five levels of leadership by John Maxwell), and therefore do not expect positional respect while out of uniform. It is my duty to build my name and produce for my unit, and for someone who doesn't know me very well.....well.....im just a guy. I think it is important to use sir or mam regardless of uniform, however saluting is a bit much. I think it's cheesy.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 12:09 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:09:00 -0400

Where I come from it's just good manners to call folks Sir/Ma'am if you do not have another term of address for them....btw this is regardless of age.....i call folks I know are younger than me Sir/Ma'am just as quickly as I do those older.....by extension this would fall onto anyone in the service as well regardless of their rank. Now, when in civilian clothes (all a retiree wears), if I do happen to know someone's name and rank I refer to them by that unless asked to do otherwise. While I was active duty officers were always sir or ma'am......or rank if I knew it.....but never first name.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 1:54 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 13:54:47 -0400

We has service members should always act in a professional manner and give everyone respect so that we may give honor and a good name to the military

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Oct 8 at 2015 7:06 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:06:21 -0400

If I don't know you and you're not wearing a military uniform for me to recognize rank, I am calling someone sir or ma'am.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 12:34 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:34:27 -0400

Military wise - I call all officers who outranked me (assuming I know who they are/or their rank) sir/ma'am, unless they ask me to call them by another title. In dealing with civilians - I tend to call all adult men & women "ma'am & sir". I don't necessarily believe it's been my military upbringing that's taught me to do so, as much as it's just me being born in the South, from a Southern family. It could be stereotyping - but it does seem that Southerners tend to be more cordial than their Northern neighbors. I just remember having my mother or grandmother correct me as a young lad if I was out of line - which included talking to adults at inappropriate times or not calling them sir/ma'am if I didn't know who they were..

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 12:43 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:43:17 -0400

Now that I'm a civilian just about everyone.