Protocol & Etiquette Corner

Submitted by the Office of the Surgeon General Protocol Point of Contact:
LT La Keisha C. Jones, USPHS (lakeisha.jones@hhs.gov)

Please note that information provided in this Commissioned Corps Bulletin article is intended to provide clarification for officers of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) who are coordinating, executing, and participating in Corps related activities, events, and ceremonies. In response to the frequent questions received from civilians, officers, and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Operating Divisions, Staff Divisions, and non-HHS organizations to which Corps officers are assigned, the Office of the Surgeon General will publish monthly columns to provide clarity on topics such as, but not limited to, ceremonial programs, officership, and proper uniform wear.

Please contact the Office of the Surgeon General if you have any questions or concerns regarding protocol and etiquette in the Corps – Lakeisha.jones@hhs.gov

Address and Greetings

As a Corps officer it is critical to become proficient with the ranks of our sister services to avoid unintentional discourtesy.

For a complete listing on the enlisted ranks of the uniformed services with clear visual insignias go to http://www.defenselink.mil/specials/insignias/enlisted.html

In the sea services (U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service), rank precedes the officer’s name. When in civilian dress, officers are introduced by their rank and name followed by “of the Public Health Service.” This distinguishes the rank from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force.

Sea Service Rank, Titles, and Verbal Courtesies										ARMY/AIR FORCE/MARINE CORPS RANK EQUIVALANCE
							Addressing Officers to Civilians
							Addressing Officers to Civilians
Pay Grade	PHS TITLES	ABBREVIATION	RANK INSIGNIA	Person Addressed or Introduced	Introduced As	Service Personnel Address As	Introduced As	Addressed As
O-11 (War Time Only, Navy Only)				Fleet Admiral	Fleet Admiral	Admiral Jones	Fleet Admiral	Admiral Jones	Flag Grade or Admiralty
O-10	Assistant Secretary of Health	ADM		Admiral or Navy: Admiral Jones, Chief of Naval Operations; USCG: Admiral Jones, Commandant of the Coast Guard; PHS: Admiral Jones, Assistant Secretary for Health (and Surgeon General if acting in both capacities)	Admiral or Navy: Admiral Jones, Chief of Naval Operations; USCG: Admiral Jones, Commandant of the Coast Guard; PHS: Admiral Jones, Assistant Secretary for Health (and Surgeon General if acting in both capacities)	Admiral Jones	Admiral or Navy: Admiral Jones, Chief of Naval Operations; USCG: Admiral Jones, Commandant of the Coast Guard; PHS: Admiral Jones, Assistant Secretary for Health (and Surgeon General if acting in both capacities)	Admiral Jones		General
O-9	Surgeon General	VADM		Vice Admiral or Navy: Vice Admiral Jones, (Title); USCG: Vice Admiral Jones, (Title); PHS: Vice Admiral Jones, Surgeon General, the United States Public Health Service	Vice Admiral or Navy: Vice Admiral Jones, (Title); USCG: Vice Admiral Jones, (Title); PHS: Vice Admiral Jones, Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service	Admiral Jones	Vice Admiral or Navy: Vice Admiral Jones, (Title); USCG: Vice Admiral Jones, (Title); PHS: Vice Admiral Jones, Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service	Admiral Jones		Lieutenant-General
O-8	Assistant Surgeon General / Deputy Surgeon General	RADM		Rear Admiral (Upper Half) PHS: Surgeon General, Assistant Surgeon General	Rear Admiral (Upper Half) PHS: Assistant Surgeon General	Admiral Jones	Rear Admiral	Admiral Jones		Major-General
O-7	Assistant Surgeon General	RADM (PHS) RDML (NAVY/USCG)		Rear Admiral (Lower Half) PHS: Assistant Surgeon General	Rear Admiral Jones	Admiral Jones	Rear Admiral	Admiral Jones		Brigadier-General
O-6	Director	CAPT		Captain	Captain Jones	Captain Jones	Captain Jones	Captain Jones	Senior Grade	Colonel
O-5	Senior	CDR		Commander	Commander Jones	Commander Jones	Commander Jones	Commander Jones	Senior Grade	Lieutenant Colonel
O-4	Full	LCDR		Lieutenant Commander	Lieutenant Commander Jones	Commander Jones	Lieutenant Commander Jones	Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss Jones	Junior	Major
O-3	Senior Assistant	LT		Lieutenant	Lieutenant Jones	Lieutenant Jones	Lieutenant Jones	Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss Jones		Captain
O-2	Assistant	LTJG		Lieutenant Junior Grade	Lieutenant JG Jones	Lieutenant Jones	Lieutenant Jones	Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss Jones		First Lieutenant
O-1	Junior Assistant	ENS		Ensign	Ensign Jones	Ensign Jones	Ensign Jones	Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss Jones		Second Lieutenant
				Commander of a Ship	Captain or “Skipper” (regardless of rank)	“CO”, Rank + Name	Rank + Name	Rank + Name
				Executive Officer of a Ship	Commander or “XO” (regardless of rank)	“XO”, Rank+Name	Rank + Name	Rank + Name
				Medical / Dental Professionals	Doctor (regardless of rank)	Doctor	Doctor+Name, Rank + Name	Doctor + Name, Rank + Name
				Clergy	Chaplain (regardless of rank or religion)	Chaplain	Rank+Name	Rank+Name

Addresses and Greetings (continued)

Here are some general service and civilian forms of address and greetings to keep in mind:

When greeting or saying goodbyes, always look the person in the eye.
Junior service members salute senior service members first and wait for the salute to be rendered in return when greeting and when saying goodbyes.
Junior service members address senior personnel as “Sir” or ‘Ma’am”. Junior service members should not assume he/she can address senior personnel by their first name until they have been directed to do so. In formal settings, or when outside personnel are present, officers should use the more formal address.
Senior service members do not address junior service members as “Sir” or Ma’am”. They address them by their rank and surname.
Junior service members should wait until the more senior service member offer his/her hand to shake.
When shaking hands outdoors, if time and weather permits, remove gloves. When shaking hands indoors during ceremonial settings, remove both gloves.
The proper way for a female officer to shake hands is to offer a firm clasp. A quick gentle press will suffice.
The proper way for a male service member to shake hands is to connect hands with a comfortable, firm, solid grip.
When greeting someone of higher rank, a client, or clergy, it is appropriate to stand.
When providing introductions, a more junior officer or younger person is always introduced to an older person or more senior officer. Example: LTJG Rogers, this is CAPT Williams – then turn to the CAPT and state – CAPT Williams, this is LTJG Rogers.
When providing introductions among individuals who are approximately the same age or rank, the man is introduced to a woman: Example: Sarah, this is Richard – then turn to the man and state – Richard, this is Sarah.

Current Issue Front Page