Using Personal Titles: Using Personal Titles #14: U.S. Military Titles

Using Personal Titles #14:
U.S. Military Titles

 

Military organizations throughout the world also use specific
titles for different ranks. The general rule for U.S. military
titles is simple:

in speaking:

rank + surname
or
sir / madam

in the address of a letter:

Full rank + full name
address

in the greeting of a letter:

Dear + rank + surname:
or
Dear Sir (or Madam):

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The major ranks in each branch of the U.S. military are:

Army, Air Force, Marines
General		Captain
Lieutenant General		First Lieutenant
Major General		Second Lieutenant
Brigadier General		Chief Warrant Officer
Colonel		Warrant Officer
Lieutenant Colonel		Cadet
Major
Sergeant		Private

Navy
Fleet Admiral		Lieutenant
Admiral		Lieutenant, Junior Grade
Vice Admiral		Ensign
Rear Admiral		Chief Warrant Officer
Captain		Warrant Officer
Commander		Midshipman
Lieutenant Commander

 

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Special Notes:

1.		When there is more than one "level" of a rank, show the full rank in addresses of letters, but use the rank in speaking and in greetings of letters: full rank rank General Lieutenant General Major General Brigadier General General Commander Lieutenant Commander Colonel First Lieutenant Second Lieutenant Lieutenant Chief Warrant Officer Warrant Officer Warrant Officer full rank rank Fleet Admiral Admiral Vice Admiral Rear Admiral Admiral Commander Lieutenant Commander Commander Lieutenant Lieutenant, Junior Grade Lieutenant Chief Warrant Officer Warrant Officer Warrant Officer
2.		All of the above ranks may be held by either men or women.
3.		Some ranks have unusual pronunciations: Lieutenant = loo-TEH-nunt Colonel = KER-null Ensign = EHN-son