How Should Civilian Employees Address Military Officers?

[Ralph_Kirk]

Originally Posted by Bradford72

My wife is interviewing for an Executive Assistant position next week at a military installation. She will be interviewing with, and potentially working for, a US Navy Captain. My opinion is that she should address military officers as Captain Lastname and sir/ma'am, but she is uncertain if that's what's expected.

What say you, CD folks?

Use "Captain Lastname" or "sir/ma'am." A Navy captain is an executive just below "vice president" in a major corporation. No need to get any more fancy than that, and if she gets the job, she will likely be expected to continue in the same vein.

[jameshardin]

Sir is a safe response

[goodmanm]

All good responses, just depends on personal preference. If it were me as a civilian it would be 'Captain Lastname', skip the other formalities.

[Ralph_Kirk]

Originally Posted by goodmanm

All good responses, just depends on personal preference. If it were me as a civilian it would be 'Captain Lastname', skip the other formalities.

Generally speaking, I'd agree, but in the company I work in, people do address the executives as "sir" and "ma'am," although granted there is a lot of old-school to this company and it's headquartered in the midwest.

But she's in an interview with a man who is used to hearing "sir," (or "ma'am" if it's a female Navy captain), and presumably she wants the job.

[KM1174]

Originally Posted by TXStrat

While it may "mean jack to you", it wouldn't be advisable to go into an interview with said Naval Captain saying "Oh how cute, you wear a uniform." They are still the supervisor, and ultimately the person making the decision to hire. A smug attitude is not a desirable trait in employees of the DoD , just like the private sector. Go into an interview acting arrogant, and don't be surprised if you don't get a call back.

oh, im not worried about getting a call back. i usually did when i actually interviewed/worked for someone else or a business.

whats even more funny is, when i was a network admin at dell, i did make a snarky comment to a former military guy about his cute uniform. he went to my boss, who told him that if he had a better resume, put it in and take my job if he didnt like me.

military people can be so funny

[Kin Atoms]

I was a civilian doc on a military base. I was called doc. The persons I worked with were military medical professionals. I called them sir or ma'am. As I got to know rank by person, it was typically Lt. Col, Major, Capt., etc. One fellow was a Lt. Col and a full doctor. I called him Doctor. One fellow was a full doc and Lt. Col. I called him Col. You will find out what they prefer. Civilian docs were called doc. As irregular as I was, ma'am and sir ALWAYS went a long way.

This is their territory, their rules. They will tell you later how you should address them and IF there will be any deviation from what you say. Some are very comfortable straddling the civilian/military line and put others at ease. There are others who simply command respect. Some prefer first names, if you are colleagues. When with these persons in mixed company, it was always sir or ma'am or their rank and last name. Military personnel typically don't mind giving civilians the run down of how to properly address others and the more questions you ask, the more comfortable it will become, as you shift from person to person, civilian to subordinate, and to other officers. Ask that question correctly and you will get extra respect.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by Bradford72

Okay here's the kicker: The Captain in question also happens to hold a PhD. So is it Capt Dr Lastname, Dr Capt Lastname, or???

His PhD is an education level, he is Commissioned as an Officer with the Naval Rank of Captain. You can't go wrong by calling him Captain Lastname, or "Sir"/"ma'am"as appropriate.

[TXStrat]

Originally Posted by KM1174

oh, im not worried about getting a call back. i usually did when i actually interviewed/worked for someone else or a business.

whats even more funny is, when i was a network admin at dell, i did make a snarky comment to a former military guy about his cute uniform. he went to my boss, who told him that if he had a better resume, put it in and take my job if he didnt like me.

military people can be so funny

So you find being arrogant to be an asset, or do you just have a grudge with veterans?

[Ralph_Kirk]

Originally Posted by Poncho_NM

His PhD is an education level, he is Commissioned as an Officer with the Naval Rank of Captain. You can't go wrong by calling him Captain Lastname, or "Sir"/"ma'am"as appropriate.

That is correct. PhD isn't uncommon among flag officers or O-6 ambitious to become flag officers, particularly if they are not in the combatant lines of command (check the cuff of his dress uniform jacket. Is there a star or a "pork chop?")