How to Address ALO When Rank Unknown

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YoitsFly

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Jul 29, 2022
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I recently submitted my candidate kit and have completed the majority of my application. I received the email address for my ALO and want to set up the interview, but I do not know how to address him in the email. Should I address my ALO as "sir" because I do not know their rank or something else? Is there a way to find his rank? I am probably being too detailed on something small like this, but I just want to make sure I address him correctly, especially on our first contact. Thanks in advance.
 
I applaud your attention to detail. I'd suggest a LinkedIn search as a starting point. If you google "First Name Last Name LinkedIn" as your search string, it might be a start. In the absence of any other information, "Sir" is a perfectly appropriate way to address someone to show respect.
 
LoneStarParent said:
I applaud your attention to detail. I'd suggest a LinkedIn search as a starting point. If you google "First Name Last Name LinkedIn" as your search string, it might be a start. In the absence of any other information, "Sir" is a perfectly appropriate way to address someone to show respect.
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Thank you for this information. On linked in, their profile says "Chief, Education Services at U.S. Air Force". Would they be addressed as "Chief ____"?
 
YoitsFly said:
Thank you for this information. On linked in, their profile says "Chief, Education Services at U.S. Air Force". Would they be addressed as "Chief ____"?
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No, "chief" is reserved as an address to a CMSgt. If you still can't find out, the question "how should I address you" is always a good choice.
 
Good morning/evening/afternoon Mr. X,

E-mail.

Thank you for your time sir. I am looking forward to meeting.


Very Respectfully
Your Name
 
shock-n-awe said:
Unless you’re an NCO….
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I grew up in an Army family, and always thought you shouldn't call NCOs sir. I was surprised when I got to the Academy and found it's very common, if not the standard, to call our AMTs sir and not Sergeant. Might just be down to the weird academy dynamic
 
Peter2025 said:
I grew up in an Army family, and always thought you shouldn't call NCOs sir. I was surprised when I got to the Academy and found it's very common, if not the standard, to call our AMTs sir and not Sergeant. Might just be down to the weird academy dynamic
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It’s called positional authority. They don’t technically outrank you, but in that role, you are subordinate.
 
Peter2025 said:
I grew up in an Army family, and always thought you shouldn't call NCOs sir. I was surprised when I got to the Academy and found it's very common, if not the standard, to call our AMTs sir and not Sergeant. Might just be down to the weird academy dynamic
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I think that's just because cadets don't know anything about the active duty nor did they have any exposure.
 
shock-n-awe said:
Unless you’re an NCO….
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Peter2025 said:
I grew up in an Army family, and always thought you shouldn't call NCOs sir. I was surprised when I got to the Academy and found it's very common, if not the standard, to call our AMTs sir and not Sergeant. Might just be down to the weird academy dynamic
Click to expand...

foxtailsean said:
I think that's just because cadets don't know anything about the active duty nor did they have any exposure.
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For at least the past 10-15 years (and I'm guessing much longer) the whole "don't call me sir/ma'am" thing for NCOs has not really been a part of the USAF culture like it is in other services. Sir/ma'am is generally accepted across any rank. Advice that many sister-service folks get before PCSing to an Air Force Base includes this little tidbit so that they can avoid culture shock.

For a long long time one of the very first things a newly enlisted trainee would be taught at BMT was the reporting statement "Sir/Ma'am, trainee XXXX reports as ordered." More recently, BMT requires the use of rank in all cases where it is known and sir/ma'am in all cases where it is not.
 
I am an ALO and didn't serve. I am a citizen volunteer. Though we are the minority, I would say ~10% of the ALO force are like me so not all ALOs have 'rank"

When in doubt a simple, respectful Dear Mr/Ms/Sir/Ma'am will do when you don't know a person's rank. You can adjust your greeting later once you know. If I were a Doctor (and this is an anonymous Internet forum so I will never confirm/deny), I would take no offense if I was not addressed as Dr by someone who didn't know.
 
I don’t know about today’s ARMY, but back in the day, if someone called an NCO “Sir”, they would most always snap back
“Don’t call me Sir, I work for a living!”
So my comment was for those old enough to remember those days I guess…

Carry on
😎
 
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