Security note: For security reasons it is essential that correspondence to Service personnel - whether serving or retired at their private addresses should omit all reference to their service rank and decorations. Plain or double envelopes must be used.
The tables below show you how to address Officers of the Armed Forces both verbally and in writing.
- Officers
- Relative Ranks in the Royal Navy
- Relative Ranks in the Army
- Relative Ranks in the Royal Air Force
- In general
Officers
| Address | Example | |
|---|---|---|
|
Royal Navy officers Ranks should be written in full. "Royal Navy" should be written after their names and decorations for Commodore and below., retired officers may continue to use "Royal Navy". |
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Royal Marine officers Ranks should be written in full. "Royal Marines" after names and decorations of Lieutenant Colonels or below. Retired Marine officers may use "Royal Marines" |
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Army officers Ranks should be written in full. The Regiment or Corps should be written in full after their names of Lieutenant Colonels or below. |
Captain AP Doe, Royal Artillery
Lieutenant Colonel J G Doe Welsh Guards |
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Royal Air Force officers Ranks should be written in full. "RAF" should be written after the name and decorations of Air Chief Marshals and below. |
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Officers with titles
Rank should be written before any title |
Admiral of the Fleet, The Lord Doe |
Dear Lord Doe |
| Colonel Sir John Doe | Dear Sir John | |
| Squadron Leader The Honourable... | Dear Squadron Leader... | |
Relative Ranks in the Armed Forces
Royal Navy
| Rank | Dear... | Retired |
|---|---|---|
| Admiral of the Fleet: |
According to title, otherwise Lord or Sir |
Title is retained for life |
|
Admiral Vice Admiral Rear Admiral |
According to title, otherwise Admiral |
By custom rank is used |
| Commodore | Commodore | By custom rank is used |
| Captain | Captain | |
| Commander | Commander | |
| Lieutenant Commander | Commander | |
| Lieutenant | Lieutenant | |
| Sub-Lieutenant Midshipman | Mr/Miss |
Army
| Rank | Dear... | Retired |
|---|---|---|
| Field Marshal |
According to title otherwise Lord or Sir |
Title is retained for Life |
|
General Lieutenant General Major General |
General | Rank may be used |
| Brigadier | Brigadier | Rank may be used |
|
Colonel Lieutenant Colonel |
Colonel | Rank may be used |
| Major | Major | Rank may be used |
| Captain | Captain | |
|
Lieutenant Second Lieutenant |
Mr/Miss |
Royal Air Force
| Rank | Dear... | Retired |
|---|---|---|
| Marshal of the Royal Air Force |
According to title otherwise Dear Lord or Sir |
Title is retained for life |
|
Air Chief Marshal Air Marshal Air Vice Marshal |
Air Marshal | Rank may be used but should not use "RAF" after their names |
|
Air Commodore Group Captain Wing Commander |
Air Commodore Group Captain Wing Commander |
Rank may be used but should not use "RAF" after their names |
| Squadron Leader | Squadron Leader | As above |
| Flight Lieutenant | Flight Lieutenant | |
|
Flying Officer Pilot Officer |
Mr/Miss |
In general
In all three services:
- All are addressed as [Dear + rank + surname] unless otherwise stated
- The word "retired" is not used in correspondence.
There are variations within each Service, for example:
- The use of "Royal Navy" after the name is sometimes abbreviated to "RN"
- In some Army Regulations second lieutenants are addressed as "Cornet" or "Ensign"
- An envelope to a Flying Officer can be addressed to either "John Smith Esq., RAF" or "Flying Officer John Smith RAF".
Given these differences it is always wise to check with the officer concerned.