The appropriate formal forms of address are as follows:
At all times, use of the rank and last/only name of the officer is appropriate, AS IS the rank alone. For example:
- Commander Marlet
- Commander
However, keep in mind that when speaking a rank, you use it’s abbreviate form. So, if you’re asking Lieutenant Junior Grade Joe Bloggs to come to the bridge, you’d say: “Lieutenant Bloggs to the bridge.” This works similarly with flag ranks. “FltAdml. Wolf” becomes “Admiral Wolf” when spoken.
When speaking to the Commanding Officer of a vessel, use the officer’s rank and last/only name, OR the rank only, OR “sir.” For example:
- Captain Brayson
- Captain
- Sir
When speaking to an officer of lower rank, use the rank, and last/only name, OR the last name alone, OR the rank alone, OR “mister”. (Yes, you can call a female officer “mister.”) For example:
- Ensign Kyle
- Kyle
- Ensign
- Mr. Kyle
When speaking to a Doctor, call them by their rank, or call them “Doctor,” followed by their last/only name. For example:
- Commander McReedy
- Doctor McReedy
- Doctor
StarFleet officers generally only call others by their first names while off duty, or when they’re alone together and regulations aren’t important. Be careful if you’re speaking to an officer of higher rank, at any time!
Ranks
There are many ranks one can ascend through in our group. Here’s a list of them, with their abbreviations:
- Ensign (Ens.)
- Lieutenant Junior Grade (Lt. JG / LtJG / LtJg.)
- Lieutenant (Lt.)
- Lieutenant Commander (Lt. Cmdr. / LtCmdr. )
- Commander (Cmdr.)
- Captain (Capt.)
- Fleet Captain (FltCapt.)
- Commodore (Com.)
- Rear Admiral (RAdml.)
- Vice Admiral (VAdml.)
- Admiral (Adml.)
- Fleet Admiral (FltAdml.)
More detailed information about ranks, including Marine Corps ranks, see our wiki.
Promotions
Once you have completed training and are posted to a ship, you are automatically promoted to Ensign. At the discretion of your commanding officer, you can rise in rank to Lieutenant Commander. To become a Commander or Captain, you must take both a written and a practical exam, which is administered by a friendly member of the community staff. You must also receive a recommendation that you are prepared for promotion.
All ranks above Lieutenant Commander are presented at the discretion of the Captains and Executive Councils.
