Hello, I am a new guy here. I just joined a new unit and was surprised to find that the squadron commander was being addressed as "Commander" as in "Commander Smith" (Insert hypothetical last name). I never heard that in the AF and would have just addressed him/her by "Rank Last Name" or hypothetically "Major Smith" (Or even easier, Sir/Maam) What is the protocol on that?
Thanks
Yes, what you describe is unfortunately a widespread practice. The correct form of address is; "Sir" or "Ma'am", or "Rank + Last Name".
CAP follows the Air Force practice of correct title use here.
However, you may use the term "Commander" when needed, but should also attach the type of unit being commanded. EXAMPLE: "Let me introduce my Squadron Commander, Major Healy".
EXAMPLE: "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Wing Commander".
EXAMPLE: "Cadet Flipy, please report to the Group Commander".
A Squadron Commander may be a Commander, but he or she must command something.
Quote from: seacamper on July 16, 2011, 01:25:46 PM
Hello, I am a new guy here. I just joined a new unit and was surprised to find that the squadron commander was being addressed as "Commander" as in "Commander Smith" (Insert hypothetical last name). I never heard that in the AF and would have just addressed him/her by "Rank Last Name" or hypothetically "Major Smith" (Or even easier, Sir/Maam) What is the protocol on that?
Thanks
My unit had that for years and we finally got it broke. The problem was the unit commander was Lt. Flynn, The testing officer was his wife Lt. Flynn, the CD/C was myself Lt. Sinn and then I got married and my wife Lt. Sinn was the ESO. That made it a bit confusing if you called out for any of the four of us because our names are similar.
It gets particularly interesting when a CAP member is also a member of a naval service with the grade of Lt Commander or Commander.
Quote from: nesagsar on July 16, 2011, 03:23:54 PM
It gets particularly interesting when a CAP member is also a member of a naval service with the grade of Lt Commander or Commander.
Shouldn't make a difference because in CAP they are a Major or Lt Col.
Quote from: davidsinn on July 16, 2011, 05:36:13 PM
Quote from: nesagsar on July 16, 2011, 03:23:54 PM
It gets particularly interesting when a CAP member is also a member of a naval service with the grade of Lt Commander or Commander.
Shouldn't make a difference because in CAP they are a Major or Lt Col.
Spend most of your week being addressed as "Commander" and then go to a meeting where someone yells out to "the commander". It would cause at least a brief moment of wondering whether you should respond. That is one good reason to follow the rules and address by name and grade.
Literally just heard this a few years ago. I cringed a little bit inside but it wasn't really worth saying anything at that moment because there was a line behind me at the check-in table :angel:.
"Skipper" is what I call him/ her.