Addressing the Different Ranks
How to properly address Soldiers, NCOs, Warrant Officers and Commissioned Officers

Posted Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Commissioned Officers:

• Address all personnel with the rank of general as "General (last name)" regardless of the number of stars.
• Address both colonels and lieutenant colonels as "Colonel (last name)."
• Address both first and second lieutenants as "Lieutenant (last name)."

Warrant Officers:

• Address warrants as “Mr. (last name)” or “Ms. (last name).”

Enlisted Soldiers and NCOs:

• Address privates (E1 and E2) and privates first class (E3) as "Private (last name)."
• Address specialists as "Specialist (last name)."
• Address sergeants, staff sergeants, sergeants first class, and master sergeants as "Sergeant (last name)."
• Address first sergeants as “First Sergeant (last name).”
• Address sergeants major as “Sergeant Major (last name).”