What is the correct / respectful way to address a member of the military if you don't know their rank or recognize their insignia? Do you say "Sir?" It's easier with policemen; you always just say "Officer." Or a judge; it's always "Your Honor." But with someone in the Army, Navy, etc, they may not be a commanding officer. So is there a polite generalized term you should use?
2006-10-27 14:29:38 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
If you can properly identify one's rank, call him by his rank, if not, 'sir' or 'ma'am is an acceptable greeting! It's not a cardinal sin to refer to enlisted personnel, particularly senior NCO's, as sir. It's acceptable to ask someone their rank, so that you can refer to it. Many ranks names are sometimes abbreviated when spoken, i.e. Master Sergeants are often called 'Top', or Gunnery Sergeants are often called 'Gunny', whereas officer ranks are more formal. It seems that all general ranks, whether they be brigadier or 4-star general, are all referred to as 'general'.
2006-10-27 15:23:34 · answer #1 · answered by briang731/ bvincent 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you're not sure, then it's just fine to address them as sir or ma'am, although that is usually reserved for officers. But here is a chart of the ranks of all the services. I go to school on a Joint-service base and It's hard to keep track of all the ranks of the different services!
2006-10-27 21:47:32 · answer #2 · answered by Tericka 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can use "sir" or "ma'am". If the person is an Non Commisioned officer (meaning not really an officer at all but an enlisted person usually at of above the e5 pay grade) they will likely tell you "Dont call me "sir", I work for a living.
2006-10-27 21:58:46 · answer #3 · answered by e260aaw 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
im a pfc in the army...if it is dark and i cannot see,shoot for the gold man. i say sir, chances are if it turns out to be an nco,youll be ok with just a couple of bad words,but if i shot for sgt,and it turns out to be a off,well then i am screwed.but another way you can usally tell is.army if it is strips,its sgts and below,if you are looking at a bar,officer!airforce is same,i am not sure bout the marines and navy what thiers looks like.
2006-10-27 21:41:55 · answer #4 · answered by ? 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sir is reserved for a rank superior to your own, and in some circumstances can be in insult to call an enlisted person "sir"... kind of depends on the person. Usually, you can see the person's rank - if they have brass or bars on their shoulders, then they are an officer. You would call them either officer or by their rank if you know how to read it. (Lieutenant, Colonel, etc)
For enlisteds, you would call them by their rank (if you can read it) sergeant, corporal, etc. or by their branch - soldier, airman, seaman, sailor.
Sorry there is no one generalization. Hope this helps.
2006-10-27 21:35:59 · answer #5 · answered by pknutson_sws 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sir works just fine
2006-10-29 04:17:00 · answer #6 · answered by FireFighter96 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't call them "Sir" unless they're an officer, and if you do and they're not it's offending. If you're a civilian and you don't know their rank, then you should politely inquire, "Excuse me, but how should I address you?" If you're in the military then you should already know.
2006-10-27 21:37:22 · answer #7 · answered by marklemoore 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sir or Ma'am is sufficient unless you are in the military. Then you are expected to know. Just don't call a soldier (Army) a Marine (Marine Corps) or visa versa. The ultimate insult is to call a Soldier a Sailor.
2006-10-27 21:34:29 · answer #8 · answered by bdgoen 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
When in dought always adress thm as "sir" enlisted men will correct you most probably by saying "Don't call me sir i work for a living"!
2006-10-27 21:40:37 · answer #9 · answered by oldster 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
One sure way is to use "Sir". You can't go wrong. Then even if they are not officers, it sounds very respectful.
2006-10-27 21:34:33 · answer #10 · answered by me_worry? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋