How should a civilian address a military member?

Why the address of a military person follows precise rules

How to address a military person when you are a civilian? This is a question many people ask themselves without daring to admit it for fear of making a mistake, appearing ignorant of customs, or unintentionally offending. However, the rules are simple once you know them, and military personnel sincerely appreciate when a civilian makes the effort to respect them.

In the French army, the rank is much more than a title: it is the professional identity of the military person, the result of their career, efforts, and responsibilities. Addressing a military person by their rank is therefore above all a mark of respect for what they represent. This guide explains everything, from general to simple soldier, both orally and in writing.

The mystery of "mon": where does it come from and when to use it?

You have surely heard "mon général," "mon colonel," or "mon capitaine." This "mon" preceding the rank is often misunderstood: it is not a possessive adjective indicating that the military person belongs to you! It is actually the abbreviation of "Monsieur," as confirmed by the Académie française.

Ranks preceded by "mon"

The "mon" is used for officers and adjutants, but only when referring to a man. Here are the ranks concerned:

• My General (brigade general, division general, corps general, army general)
• My Colonel (colonel AND lieutenant colonel, both are called "my colonel")
• My Commander
• My Captain
• My Lieutenant (second lieutenant AND lieutenant)
• My Adjutant (adjutant AND chief adjutant)

Ranks without "mon"

From the rank of sergeant onward, the "mon" disappears. The military person is simply called by their rank, with or without their name:

• Sergeant / Staff Sergeant → "Sergeant" or "Chief" (the staff sergeant is commonly called "Chief")
• Corporal / Chief Corporal → "Corporal" followed by the name
• Soldier / Sailor → "Monsieur" followed by the name, or simply the name

Special case: female military personnel

Since "mon" is the abbreviation of "Monsieur," it does not apply to female military personnel. They are addressed directly by their rank, without "mon." So, one says "General" and not "Mon General," "Colonel" and not "Mon Colonel." This rule applies to both civilians and military personnel.

Summary table: how to address each rank

Here is the complete table of formulas to use according to rank, whether you are a male or female civilian, in speech or writing.

Sources: French Academy — Ministry of the Armed Forces — Military Conduct Guide.

How to address a military person in writing: letter and email

Writing to a military person as a civilian follows specific rules, especially for an official letter or formal request. Here is the structure to follow.

Form of address at the beginning of a letter

The letter always begins with the form of address corresponding to the rank. Examples:

• For a general: "General," (male) or "General," (female)
• For a colonel: "Colonel,"
• For a captain: "Captain,"
• For a non-commissioned officer: "Sergeant,"

Polite phrases at the end of a letter

The final polite phrase must exactly match the form of address. Here are the classic formulas:

• General: "Please accept, General, the expression of my highest consideration."
• Colonel: "Please accept, Colonel, the expression of my distinguished consideration."
• Captain/Lieutenant: "I beg you to accept, Captain, the assurance of my respectful consideration."
• Non-commissioned officer: "Please accept, Sergeant, the expression of my distinguished greetings."

The 6 mistakes to absolutely avoid

Even with the best intentions, it is easy to make a mistake when addressing a military person. Here are the most common errors and how to avoid them:

• Simply saying "Sir" or "Madam" without mentioning the rank is the basic rule never to forget
• Calling a military member by their first name, unless the relationship is clearly informal and the military member has suggested it themselves
• Guessing the rank at random—if you don’t know the rank, politely ask: "May I know your rank, please?"
• Shortening the rank: saying "Lieut" for lieutenant or "Colon" for colonel is reserved for internal camaraderie
• Using "mon" for a female military member is the most common mistake well-meaning civilians make
• Avoid making jokes about the army or discipline during a first meeting, even if the person seems relaxed

FAQ: The most frequently asked questions

Is a civilian required to use the rank when addressing a military member?

No, a civilian is not legally required to use the rank. According to official customs, civilians may address an officer by their rank without preceding it with "mon." Simply saying "Hello Captain" is perfectly correct for a civilian. However, it is a very appreciated sign of respect.

How to address a member of the French Navy?

The French Navy is a special case: it does not use "mon" in its internal forms of address. For a civilian, the custom is to address naval officers as "Monsieur" followed by the last name, except for admirals and commanders where only the rank is used.

How to address a retired military member?

An honorary military member (retired) retains their rank for life. It is therefore perfectly correct and appreciated to continue addressing them by their rank: "Mon Colonel," "Mon Général," etc. This is a widely practiced custom in circles where veterans regularly interact with civilians.

Conclusion

How to address a military member as a civilian? In summary: always use the rank, precede it with "mon" for male officers and warrant officers, omit "mon" for women and non-commissioned officers from the rank of sergeant. In writing, pay attention to the salutation and closing politeness. And above all, don’t hesitate to politely ask for the rank if you don’t know it—it’s much better than making a mistake.

Passionate about the military world? Discover our selection of military insignia authentic and military uniforms at Surplus Militaires France.