how to address BGO

[💫💫💫]

this is prbly gonna sound stupid but please bare with me as I am new to this whole process. I am reaching out to my BGO (making initial contact). In my email, should I address them as Mr. "Last Name" or some other title? Again, I know I sound stupid but I am very new to this world and I don't want to make a bad first impression and address my BGO with the wrong title.

 

[ProudWVDad]

I believe the correct answer is, it depends. Are they still active military or are they civilian?

 

[gordt]

this is prbly gonna sound stupid but please bare with me as I am new to this whole process. I am reaching out to my BGO (making initial contact). In my email, should I address them as Mr. "Last Name" or some other title? Again, I know I sound stupid but I am very new to this world and I don't want to make a bad first impression and address my BGO with the wrong title.

Search them up. Do a little research and find their rank (ex mine was CAPT so i refer to him as CAPT “”) it shows better respect then choosing mr/ms if they are military background

 

[MidCakePa]

If you see no indication of rank, you cannot go wrong with “Dear Sir/Ma’am” or “Dear Blue & Gold Officer.” Either will be appreciated. Do not assume that he is a him.

 

[usna1985]

If you know the BGO is an officer, address him / her by rank. For example, “Commander Smith.”

If a civilian, Mr. or Ms. is appropriate.

If you have no info, follow the advice above.

I have an androgynous first name. If I had $1 for every time someone assumed I was a man, I’d have retired a decade ago! If a candidate addresses me as “Mr.”, I’m not offended. I politely correct them. I’ve also been addressed as “Officer xx.” I correct that as well.

BGOs aren’t offended if a candidate makes an honest error re title or gender. Do your best and let the BGO correct you as needed.

 

[💫💫💫]

Thank you all for your ressponses!

 

[Capt MJ]

Retired officers may also be addressed by their rank. It’s not a former rank; they are an officer on the retired list of their service. If they offer to be called Mike or Ms. Jones, go with that.

 

[Academician]

One small point to add. I tell my students to look at their BGO's (FFR, ALO, etc.) email signature block when they respond. It will often indicate their rank, if they desire the 'recognition.' Thus, start with Mr. / Ms. in the initial email and then follow-up with the indicated rank, if there is one noted in the signature block.

 

[aetosArmy]

One small point to add. I tell my students to look at their BGO's (FFR, ALO, etc.) email signature block when they respond. It will often indicate their rank, if they desire the 'recognition.' Thus, start with Mr. / Ms. in the initial email and then follow-up with the indicated rank, if there is one noted in the signature block.

That sounds like a good tactic