What is the proper manner to address a commissioned officer in formal settings?

• A. Use the officer's first name.
• B. Address them as 'Hey'.
• C. Use Sir or Ma'am and the officer's rank.
• D. Call them by their nickname.

Answer: (C)

In formal settings, showing proper respect to officers comes from military courtesy that centers on rank and honorifics. You address a commissioned officer with Sir or Ma’am to acknowledge their position and maintain professionalism in the conversation. When you need to identify who you’re speaking to, you reference the officer by their rank and last name in written or formal spoken contexts, such as calling out “Captain Smith” or “Major Johnson” in a meeting or report. Using a first name, saying “Hey,” or calling them by a nickname bypasses the established etiquette and can come across as disrespectful or unserious, which disrupts the chain of command and the formality of the setting. So, the best practice is to start with Sir or Ma’am and, when needed for identification, include the officer’s rank.