In some cases, like for majors, the rank and the type of address are identical. A major named Angie Nunez would be addressed, “Major Nunez. ” For some ranks, like lieutenant colonels, the title of address is different. If there were a lieutenant colonel named Andrew Bates, they would just be “Colonel Bates. ”

Address generals as “General” regardless of their stars or status. Major generals, brigadier generals, and one-star generals are all addressed as “General. ” Call Colonels and Lieutenant Colonels “Colonel. ” Address First and Second Lieutenants as “Lieutenant. ” Call Majors “Major. ” Address Captains as “Captain. ”

You call first class sergeants, staff sergeants, and master sergeants simply “Sergeant” with no modifiers or descriptors. Sergeant majors always get the full title, “Sergeant Major. ” First sergeants also get the full title and they go by “First Sergeant. ”

Admirals and commanders all follow the same rules as generals. A brigadier admiral is addressed “Admiral” while a lieutenant commander just goes by “Commander. ” Gendered ranks in the Navy are no longer used. The official way to address seamen and midshipmen is to call them “Sailor. ”[5] X Research source Ensigns all go by “Ensign. ”

Regardless of the specialty, all specialists go by “Specialist. ” You get a choice with first class privates. You can either call them “Private,” or address them as “PFC,” which is short for “private first class. ”

Warrant officers work in technical fields, like intelligence. You probably aren’t going to run into very many warrant officers. [8] X Research source

For example, a brigadier general’s title of address is just “General,” but their abbreviation is “Brig. Gen. ” If you were to write a letter to a brigadier general named Jay Brooke, you would write, “Brig. Gen. Jay Brooke. ” Titles with “first” or “second” in them typically use the number for the abbreviation. A first lieutenant, for example, is abbreviated as “1st Lt. ” You can use whatever subject line you’d like if you’re emailing a service member.

On the line under the shorthand rank and recipient’s name, put UNIT, CMR (community mail room), or PSC (postal service center) followed by that destination’s number. On the same line, write “BOX” followed by the PO box number. On the bottom line, put APO (Army Post Office) or FPO (Fleet Post Office), followed by AA (for American service members) and the ZIP code. All together, it should look like this: SGT. Jason Williamson UNIT 2913 BOX 150 APO AA 89049

If you’re writing a letter or email and you’re addressing a specific service member, you capitalize the rank. [12] X Research source If you don’t know their full title, use “Sir,” or “Ma’am” in the salutation and don’t include their first or last name.

For example, you might say “Good morning, Major Stevens,” or, “How are you doing, Sergeant Jameson?”

For example, if you’re standing in line at the bank or something and there’s a uniformed service officer standing next to you but you don’t know their rank, there’s nothing wrong with saying, “How are you doing, sir?”

Some service members may get annoyed if you salute them as a civilian. It’s unlikely, but since saluting is an official military gesture, they may take it as an insult. [16] X Research source

It’s not uncommon for a veteran to say something like, “Oh, just call me David,” or, “Mr. Ramsey is fine, I haven’t served in years. ” Still, it’s better to wait for them to ask you to drop the title than it is to assume they don’t want you to use it. [17] X Research source

If you’ve just joined the military and you’re still stepping on eggshells over how to speak to officers, don’t worry. All of this will all become second nature soon enough.

For example, you might say, “Sir, the barracks have been cleaned,” or, “The barracks have been cleaned, sir. ” Both are acceptable. Avoid using “sir” or “ma’am” more than once in a sentence. Aside from the fact that it sounds a little odd, it’s seen as a faux pas to overdo it. [21] X Research source

Chevrons are the v-shaped stripes you see on patches. The more stripes on a chevron, the higher the rank of the individual wearing that uniform. [23] X Research source Bars are worn by officers. The size, shape, and color all indicate different ranks depending on the service branch. [24] X Research source Certain officers will also wear oak leaves, eagle pins, or stars. [25] X Research source