In the military, the way you address superiors depends on their rank and gender. For male officers, the proper form of address is “sir.” But what about female officers – should they also be addressed as “sir”?
The short answer is no. Female officers are addressed differently than their male counterparts. The proper term for female officers is “ma’am.”
Proper Forms of Address
Here are the standard forms of address for male and female officers in the U.S. military:
Male Officers
| Rank | Form of Address |
| Officer cadet/Midshipman | Mister/Miss + last name |
| Second lieutenant/Ensign | Sir |
| First lieutenant/Lieutenant junior grade | Sir |
| Captain/Lieutenant | Sir |
| Major/Lieutenant commander | Sir |
| Lieutenant colonel/Commander | Sir |
| Colonel/Captain | Sir |
| Brigadier general/Commodore | Sir |
| Major general/Rear admiral (lower half) | Sir |
| Lieutenant general/Vice admiral | Sir |
| General/Admiral | Sir |
Female Officers
| Rank | Form of Address |
| Officer cadet/Midshipman | Mister/Miss + last name |
| Second lieutenant/Ensign | Ma’am |
| First lieutenant/Lieutenant junior grade | Ma’am |
| Captain/Lieutenant | Ma’am |
| Major/Lieutenant commander | Ma’am |
| Lieutenant colonel/Commander | Ma’am |
| Colonel/Captain | Ma’am |
| Brigadier general/Commodore | Ma’am |
| Major general/Rear admiral (lower half) | Ma’am |
| Lieutenant general/Vice admiral | Ma’am |
| General/Admiral | Ma’am |
As you can see, “sir” is only used for male officers, while “ma’am” is used for female officers. The proper term of address depends on gender, not rank.
Origin of “Sir”
The term “sir” originated as a way to address men of higher social rank or status. It was derived from “sire,” meaning “lord” or “master.”
Over time, “sir” became a respectful address for men. It entered military tradition as a way to address superior male officers.
So while “sir” conveys respect, it has masculine origins. That’s why female officers are addressed differently.
Reasons for Using “Ma’am”
There are a few key reasons why “ma’am” is used for female officers rather than “sir”:
Gender Neutrality
Using “ma’am” creates a gender neutral form of address. Male officers are addressed as “sir,” while female officers are “ma’am.” This avoids the perception that males are the default and reinforces that women have equal status as officers.
Respect for Rank
Like “sir,” “ma’am” acknowledges an officer’s superior rank. It shows respect for their authority and station.
Clarity
Using “ma’am” avoids confusion that could result from calling female officers “sir.” The different terms create clarity on how to properly address both male and female commanders.
When in Doubt, Default to “Ma’am”
Because of its neutrality and clarity, “ma’am” can be used for any female officer if you are unsure of their exact rank. But you should address them by their specific rank if you know it.
The only exception is recruits addressing female drill sergeants. They are to be addressed as “drill sergeant” just like their male counterparts.
Outside of training, “ma’am” is the standard form of address for any female officer. So if in doubt, you can safely default to “ma’am.”
Conclusion
In summary, female military officers are addressed as “ma’am” rather than “sir.” This creates gender neutrality, shows respect for their rank, and avoids confusion with male officers who are addressed as “sir.” While the specifics depend on an officer’s rank, “ma’am” is the proper default term for any female officer when you are unsure of their exact title.