Addressing the Different Ranks

How to properly address Soldiers, NCOs, Warrant Officers and Commissioned Officers

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).”

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