I'm writing a letter to a 2nd Lt. Do I actually write out "2nd Lt. NAME" or do 2nd and 1st Lieutenants just get grouped as "Lt. NAME"? (I've never heard someone actually referred to as 1st Lt or 2nd Lt, so I didn't know if it was commonplace to disregard the degree part.)
Military Question: how to address a particular rank in a letter
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I'm writing a letter to a 2nd Lt. Do I actually write out "2nd Lt. NAME" or do 2nd and 1st Lieutenants just get grouped as "Lt. NAME"? (I've never heard someone actually referred to as 1st Lt or 2nd Lt, so I didn't know if it was commonplace to disregard the degree part.)
SarcasticDwarf
Diamond Member
- Jun 8, 2001
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I think it may depend on how formal you are being. If it is a very formal letter, I believe you need to put it all in there. It also depends on familiarity. Better safe than sorry.
In writing, I think the distinction is ussually made, but generally not when addressing them in person, on the phone, etc.
It's a formal letter, so you need to address it as Sir or 2LT ________. It's also the same with NCO's...for example, writing a letter to SFC Smith, but you can call him Sergeant Smith.
-=bmacd=-
edit: They earned their rank, and if they ever introduce themselves to you, they will say, "my name is 2nd Lieutenant Smith", not just "lieutenant smith"
hope this helps
-=bmacd=-
-=bmacd=-
edit: They earned their rank, and if they ever introduce themselves to you, they will say, "my name is 2nd Lieutenant Smith", not just "lieutenant smith"
hope this helps
-=bmacd=-
In a letter, 2LT Lastname. In person, Lieutenant Lastname regardless of whether they're a first or second lieutenant.
Personally, I'd just call them "Frank" or whatever their first name happens to be...
Don Vito Corleone
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Actually I believe the custom is to use the greeting: "Dear Lieutenant Jones." You can leave off the 2nd in the greeting, but you should use in in the address that's included at the top of the letter, so it would read:
2Lt Jack Jones
72 ABW/CCS
7460 Arnold St
Tinker AFB OK 73145
That's the way I've always seen it handled, and I was in the AF for six years and wrote and received hundreds, perhaps thousands of letters.
2Lt Jack Jones
72 ABW/CCS
7460 Arnold St
Tinker AFB OK 73145
That's the way I've always seen it handled, and I was in the AF for six years and wrote and received hundreds, perhaps thousands of letters.
Bateluer
Lifer
- Jun 23, 2001
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Not entirely sure about writing a letter, I would imagine you'd write out their full rank, 2nd Lieutenant Jones, for example. Probably with a colon after that, instead of a comma, depending on how formal you are.
In speach though, ever rank has multiple terms of address. A 2nd Lieutenant can be addressed as simply 'Lieutenant' or 'Second Lieutenant'.
In speach though, ever rank has multiple terms of address. A 2nd Lieutenant can be addressed as simply 'Lieutenant' or 'Second Lieutenant'.
Dr. Detroit
Diamond Member
- Sep 25, 2004
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Dear Butter Bar
When you address the envelope use 2nd LT
when talking to him you would call him LT.
When you address the envelope use 2nd LT
when talking to him you would call him LT.
Don Vito Corleone
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Okay, you are the lucky beneficiary of the fact that I'm not busy at work.
The official Air Force style manual says I'm right, at page 174. This rule may vary for the other services, but I can't imagine it would vary much.
Don Vito Corleone
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No offense to TB, but I can't imagine that as an MP he writes a lot of official letters. I wrote at least 1 or 2 a day for six years.
Don Vito Corleone
Elite
- Feb 10, 2000
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