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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

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

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 Williamsthen 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 Richardthen turn to the man and stateRichard, this is Sarah.
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