How should you address a commissioned officer in uniform and greet them?

• A. Address by rank and last name and greet verbally with a respectful tone; render a salute if outdoors and the officer returns the salute
• B. Address by first name and shake hands
• C. Address by job title only
• D. Ignore and walk away

Answer: (A)

Respect for rank and proper greeting is fundamental in military protocol. When you meet a commissioned officer in uniform, you address them by their rank and last name and greet them in a calm, respectful tone. If you’re outdoors, you render a salute and wait for the officer to return it before lowering your hand. This shows you recognize the officer’s authority and maintain discipline and bearing in the presence of the chain of command. Indoors, you do not salute, but you still greet and address the officer by rank and last name, keeping the respectful tone. The other approaches miss essential elements of uniformed courtesy: using a first name bypasses the rank-based respect; addressing by job title alone omits the rank and name; and walking away shows a lack of professional courtesy.