Military Protocol - Addressing Our Members When communicating with members of the military or retired from the military by phone or in correspondence, always address them by rank and last name. In other words, never address them by rank only. Please refrain from using some of the abbreviated nicknames for ranks that you may see in some shows or movies such as Sarge, Gunny, LT or others. While they unofficially exist they are typically restricted to unique circumstances within the military culture. Always address Members by their rank/name until they have given permission to do otherwise. Chaplains (CH), Judges (Hon.) & Physicians (Dr.) may want to be addressed by their profession rather than military rank. Such requests should be honored. In the Navy, junior enlisted (E-1 thru E-3) may hold the title of a specific technical or specialized job function. This is typically not used outside of the military. Examples: Fireman (FN), Airman (AN), Constructionman (CN). Please see me if you need a further list. You may also see abbreviations for Cadets, Candidates, and Officer Candidates that will be abbreviated in various ways.
Army GA General of the Army GEN General LTG Lieutenant General MG Major General BG Brigadier General LTC Lieutenant Colonel MAJ Major CPT Captain 1LT First Lieutenant 2LT Second Lieutenant CW2 - CW5 Chief Warrant Officer SMA Sergeant Major of the Army CSM Command Sergeant Major SGM Sergeant Major 1SG First Sergeant MSG Master Sergeant SFC Sergeant First Class SSG Staff Sergeant SGT Sergeant CPL Corporal SPC Specialist PFC Private First Class PV2 Private PV1 Private "First Sergeant" "Corporal" "Specialist" 2
Marine Corps Gen General LtGen Lieutenant General MajGen Major General BGen Brigadier General LtCol Lieutenant Colonel Maj Major Capt Captain 1stLt First Lieutenant 2ndLt Second Lieutenant CWO2 - CWO5 Chief Warrant Officer SgtMajMC Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps SgtMaj Sergeant Major MGySgt Master Gunnery Sergeant 1stSgt First Sergeant MSgt Master Sergeant GySgt Gunnery Sergeant SSgt Staff Sergeant Sgt Sergeant Cpl Corporal LCpl Lance Corporal PFC Private First Class Pvt Private "Master Gunnery Sergeant" "First Sergeant" "Master Sergeant" "Gunnery Sergeant" "Staff Sergeant" "Corporal" "Lance Corporal" 3
Navy FADM Fleet Admiral ADM Admiral VADM Vice Admiral RADM Rear Admiral - Upper Half RDML Rear Admiral - Lower Half Capt Captain CDR Commander LCDR Lieutenant Commander LT Lieutenant LTJG Lieutenant Junior Grade ENS Ensign CWO2 - CWO5 Chief Warrant Officer MCPON Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy FLTCM Fleet Master Chief FORCM Force Master Chief CMDCM Command Master Chief MCPO Master Chief Petty Officer SCPO Senior Chief Petty Officer CPO Chief Petty Officer PO1 Petty Officer, First Class PO2 Petty Officer, Second Class PO3 Petty Officer, Third Class SN Seaman SA Seaman Apprentice SR Seaman Recruit "Commander" "Commander" "Ensign" "Senior Chief" 4
Air Force Gen General Lt Gen Lieutenant General Maj Gen Major General Brig Gen Brigadier General Lt Col Lieutenant Colonel Maj Major Cpt Captain 1Lt First Lieutenant 2Lt Second Lieutenant CMSAF Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force CMSgt Chief Master Sergeant SMSgt Senior Master Sergeant MSgt Master Sergeant TSgt Technical Sergeant SSgt Staff Sergeant SrA Senior Airman A1C Airman First Class Amn Airman AB Airman Basic 12/30/2010 5