FORMS OF ADDRESS

The SSD game standard is based on both that of Her Majesty's Navy (British Royal Navy) and the United States Navy. It is relatively simple and nearly reflects that of Star Trek: The Next Generation. It implies:

 

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS

­ Flag officers: All flag officers are called 'Admiral,' in direct address, regardless of grade (such as Vice Admiral, Rear Admiral, or Fleet Admiral). A Commodore is called 'Commodore.'

­ The commanding officer of any starship is referred to in direct address as "Captain." At the discretion of a junior commander in the grade of Ensign, Lieutenant Junior Grade, or Lieutenant, can be addressed as "Skipper" or "Captain." As a matter of protocol, a Captain (0-6) visiting another Captain's ship is addressed as Commodore while aboard to avoid confusion. A marine Captain (0-3) stationed on board ship is addressed as "Lieutenant-Major" or "Major." There is only one Captain on any ship. Some smaller ships have captains which are not Captains (O-6); however, while on their vessels they are addressed as 'Captain.'

­ Any other officer is called either by rank or 'Mister.' Note below on truncation of Naval O-4/O-2 and the marine ranks.

­ 'Mister' is an appropriate form of address both for superiors and subordinates. You may call a superior up to the rank of O-4 'Mister' without giving offense. Courtesy dictates calling the XO 'Commander,' if he is an O-4 or O-5.

­ Senior Naval Officers (O-4 to O-6): Captains and full commanders are addressed as 'Captain' and 'Commander,' respectively. A lieutenant commander is addressed as 'Commander.' At his pleasure, an O-6 and above may address an O-4 (LCDR) as 'Mister,' but he should know that he is giving offense to the officer, by implying that he is a junior officer.

­ Junior Naval Officers (O-1 to O-3): Junior officers are addressed either by their ranks or as 'Mister Smith.' They should refer to each other in this manner. At the pleasure of senior officers, female junior officers may be called 'Ms. Smith.'

­ A Lieutenant Junior Grade may be referred to as "Lieutenant".

­ A Lieutenant Commander may be referred to as "Commander".

­ A Second Lieutenant may be referred to as "Lieutenant".

­ A Lieutenant Major may be referred to as "Major".

­ A Lieutenant Colonel may be referred to as "Colonel".

 

ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL

- Should you encounter any cadets, midshipmen, or officer-candidates, they are addressed as 'Mr./Ms. Smith.'

­ Warrant Officers: Warrant Officers are officer specialists so highly skilled, they are considered masters of their specific speciality. They are addressed as "Mister" regardless of grade. A Chief Warrant Officer is considered a supreme master of his speciality but is still referred to as "Mister," and in conversation all WOs are always due the honorific of "Sir." (For example: in a two man ship manned by a Warrant Officer and a Commander, the Warrant Officer is considered the superior pilot (and is placed in command), and the Commander is considered the lesser pilot (co-pilot) even though he obviously outranks the Warrant Officer.) A Chief Warrant Officer is never referred to as "Chief."

­ Marine Ranks: Marines are addressed by their rank. They are not called 'Mister.' Predictably, in direct address, LTM and LCOL's are called 'Major' and 'Colonel' respectively.

­ NCOs and Enlisted crewmen: NCOs are addressed by their ranks. Optionally, by rank and last name. (Example: Good morning, Senior Chief Jones. -or- Good morning, Master Chief.) A Chief Petty Officer is called "Chief." A Senior Chief Petty Officer is called "Senior Chief," while a Master Chief Petty Officer is called, "Master Chief." Crewmen are generally referred to by the generic term, "Crewman." However, as a matter of simple courtesy and respect, superiors should address crewmen by name if they know it. Enlisted Marines are referred to as "Private," "Corporal," or "Sergeant." As with naval ranks, Marines have two senior enlisted grades, Sergeant Major and Command Sergeant Major, both are addressed as "Sergeant-Major.

­ Likewise, all 'Corporals' and 'Sergeants' are called such, regardless of their grades. A 'Sergeant-Major' is called such, without exception. Enlisted crewman are typically called by last names, *without* 'Mister' attached or as 'Crewman.'

­ Superior officers will always be addressed as "Sir" regardless of gender.

 

OTHER FORMS OF ADDRESS

­ Doctors are referred to as "Doctor".

­ Counselors are referred to as "Counselor".

­ Clergy are referred to as "Chaplain".

­ Ambassadors are referred to as "Ambassador".

­ Retired officers will be referred to by the grade they were at the time of retirement.

 

REPORTING TO SENIOR OFFICERS

­ There are two 'accepted' ways to report:

"Smith, John, *Master Chief Petty Officer* reporting for orders, Sir."

(preferred by hard core old liners and NCOs and Marines.)

"Sir, Lieutenant Jones reports."

(preferred by most junior officers.)

"Ensign John Smith reporting for orders, Sir."

(formal report format.)

 

COURTESIES

­ When a junior officer walks with a senior officer, the junior officer will walk to the left of the senior officer.