addressing officers in email

[DSL1990]

I'm send emails to various officers in NROTC units and elsewhere and I feel uncomfortable since I don't know how to address them properly in my email correspondence.

Do I start with a:

Dear Sir, / Dear Ma'am,

Dear LT Jones, / Dear LCDR Jones / Dear CDR Jones,

LCDR Jones,

Lieutenant Commander Jones,

Dear Lieutenant Commander Jones,

Dear LCdr. Jones,

or something else?

Also, if someone is an LTJG, do I address him as LT or LTJG? Similarly, are LCDRs addressed as CDR?

This is pretty trite I know, but tell me once and I'll remember it.

Thanks!

 

[AUtiger]

Every email I have ever sent in NROTC I have never put a 'Dear' in front so my suggestion is to just go with rank abbreviation and last name. Sign it with 'Very Respectfully' and you should be good to go.

As for the other question I've just always gone with LT for a LTJG and LCDR for and O-4, I'm assuming your talking about speaking in person?

 

[SemperGumbi]

Sir/Ma'am is always good for officers.
Captain Coolguy is also fine for what you are doing.

If it is more persaonl correspondance with a senior officer who is sort of like a mentor I wouldn't be at all afraid to start, "Dear General ________, " or whatever, but I would leave the "dear" for personal emails.


The Marines have a "rule" of sorts that you address an officer as "Sir" rather than rank unless you are on friendly terms. I don't find that applying as much in writing, or even in general practice (at least officer to officer).

 

[Gatordev]

When writing ranks for the Navy, it's all caps, ie "LCDR Asshat" or "LT Awesome." For Marines (and Marines, correct me if I'm wrong), it's "Maj Tightwad" or "Capt America."

For addressing Jaygees or LCDRs in person, you can refer to them as "Lieutenant Boner" or "Commander Buzzkill." In writing, though, refer to them as their actual rank. Personally, I think if you're saying your own title, like on the phone, you should say "Lieutenant Jay-Gee Boner" or "Lieutenant Commander Buzzkill," but I don't know if that's written anywhere. I'll let others promote me rather than promote myself.

 

[Scoob]

Every email I have ever sent in NROTC I have never put a 'Dear' in front so my suggestion is to just go with rank abbreviation and last name. Sign it with 'Very Respectfully' and you should be good to go.

This is Navy standard and it is what I use - but I am a LT in the US Navy. You (OP), on the other hand, are a high school student, and you are neither expected nor required to know or use it. Just be courteous and don't sweat it - they'll be plenty of time to sweat that and every other Navy custom later.

 

[S.O.B.]

The rules I've always used for closing are:
R/ = Junior
V/R = senior or civilian
Very Respectfully = 06 and above

 

[ea6bflyr]

Don't forget, if you are addressing more than one male use the term Gentlemen vice Sirs.

Here's a link to some email etiquette.

Check these links for Officer and Enlisted rank abbreviations.

-ea6bflyr

 

[DSL1990]

Gentlemen,
Thanks! By the way, what is an "NC1/SS"? I checked in ea6bflyr's lists of abbreviations, and it isn't there. My recruiter signs all of his emails "NC1/SS Awesome" and since I have no idea what that is, I've been just addressing him as "Sir".
V/R
DSL1990

 

[phrogpilot73]

Thanks all! By the way, what is an "NC1/SS"? I checked in ea6bflyr's lists of abbreviations, and it isn't there. My recruiter signs all of his emails "NC1/SS Awesome" and since I have no idea what that is, I've been just addressing him as "Sir".

Navy Counselor, 1st Class Petty Officer (NC1), Submarine Qualified (SS).

 

[scoober78]

http://www.navyfitrep.com/download5216_5d.html

This is a link to the Navy Correspondence Manual. The first on is the one you are looking for. When in doubt look it up.

It may be a bit complicated without some further general military knowledge, but it will save your bacon in situations like this...give it a try.

 

[haubby]

Soo much to learn young Padawan....

v/r
STS2/SS

 

[S.O.B.]

It can get ridiculous. I knew an HM that was HMC(AW,NAC,FMF,SW,SS)IDC. I've even seen folks put their MTS (Master Training Specialist) on the backside.

 

[jollygreen07]

It can get ridiculous. I knew an HM that was HMC(AW,NAC,FMF,SW,SS)IDC. I've even seen folks put their MTS (Master Training Specialist) on the backside.

Did this HMC have a family?

When he was picking out his two qualifications badges to wear, did he just close his eyes and pick two?

Jeebus!!

 

[MasterBates]

If he was smart, NAC and FMF

 

[BACONATOR]

Can't go wrong with "Sir," or "LT coolasshit,".

Good gouge above.

Bogey_Spotter
BSAE ENS, USN