[Chris W.]

It depends on the service. In the Air Force, the instructors in basic training teach trainees to address all officers, commissioned and non, as Sir (or Ma'am). It is always quite respectful and appropriate in all services to use their rank. But, by using rank you should be aware of a few rules. Call a Lieutenant Colonel 'Colonel' and not 'Lieutenant Colonel.' Likewise, all lieutenants, 1st, 2nd, junior grade (Navy), are addressed as 'Lieutenant.' All sergeants can be addressed as 'Sergeant,' except for E-9s ('Chief' for Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force), 'Sergeant Major' (Army/Marines) and 'Master Chief' (Navy). To really answer your question, a clerk in a store doesn't commit a faux pas by referring to 'Col. Smith' as 'Mr. Smith,' but a Colonel in uniform will surely appreciate a civilian who can recognize rank and address him properly. As far as retirees, that's just it: they're retired.

User Detail :  

Name : Chris W., Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 25, City : Augusta, State : GA Country : United States, Occupation : Programmer, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class,