Originally Posted by
icarusKiD
I've been flying to areas with a large military presence lately so if I interact with someone in uniform (domestic USA for me) I generally address them by their rank shown. Usually it's just excuse me "lieutenant" or the friendly good morning.
I don't want to be disrespectful so is this acceptable as a civilian to address someone by rank? Anyone in uniform care if people address you by rank?
Perfectly acceptable. Its the military equivalent of Mr. or Sir.
Originally Posted by
Scots_Al
I would say that unless you are working for them in some capacity, their employer and their status with their employer is entirely irrelevant. Personally (and not USA-based), I'd no more address someone as Lieutenant / Colonel / Brigadier than I would drop and give them 20, or address a random civilian as "sir"!
In the US, it's still considered polite to address strangers as Sir or Ma'am or Miss or Mister.
Military rank is not just a person's "status" with their employer. It is a position they have earned within the military of our country. It shows that they have volunteered to serve our country, often risking their lives in the process, and as such they are deserving of a certain amount of respect from the populace. This is not to say that they are to be afforded any special priviledges or higher authority, or that they are to be deferred to or treated like aristocracy or royalty, only that their service should be acknowledged and respected.
When you get right down to it, WE ARE their employers. As long as they wear the uniform, they serve the country, and the people of the country are their employers. Their mandate is to protect us, their salaries are paid by our taxes, and their chain of comand is controlled by our freely elected civilian government.
They work for us. Their ranks are given them by us. As such, it is entirely appropriate for civilians to address military personnel by their ranks.