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How do i address an officer?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pixie21
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Pixie21

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Hi Guys: another quick question here..

Last week i met a retired Group Captain who gave me his email address so that i could ask him some questions / set up a meeting to discuss my application. (when speaking to him i used Sir every other word!) I have composed an email to him but am unsure how to open it..
Dear Sir? Dear Group Captain? should i use his name? :PDT_Xtremez_06:
any ideas would be a HUGE help!
 
Pixie21 said:
Hi Guys: another quick question here..

Last week i met a retired Group Captain who gave me his email address so that i could ask him some questions / set up a meeting to discuss my application. (when speaking to him i used Sir every other word!) I have composed an email to him but am unsure how to open it..
Dear Sir? Dear Group Captain? should i use his name? :PDT_Xtremez_06:
any ideas would be a HUGE help!
Click to expand...

If you do it as if you were writing a letter, you cannot go far wrong.
Dear Sir,

blah - - - -

Sincere thanks
sign.
 
He is retired therefore he no longer holds the queens commission and you are not in the RAF yet, so you do not need to address him as sir, you would not call the paper boy sir :PDT_Xtremez_14:

By all means address the letter as dear sir, but that is where it ends.

Remember neither of you are in the RAF so why should you call him sir, he can refer to himself in formal letters as Group Captain (rtd) but that is it.
 
I reckon 'Dear Sir' will be fine mate.
Just be polite, respectfull and honest and most importantly, don't try to bullsh1t him.
If the guy is worth his salt, he will pick up on your eagerness and enthusiasm and give you some good 'top end' advice.
Just remember, you won't be joining up as a Group Captain so the daily 4pm hot, buttered crumpets and foi gras in the Officer's Mess will have to be put on hold for a few years.:PDT_Xtremez_19:
WW
 
pie sandwich said:
He is retired therefore he no longer holds the queens commission and you are not in the RAF yet, so you do not need to address him as sir, you would not call the paper boy sir :PDT_Xtremez_14:

By all means address the letter as dear sir, but that is where it ends.

Remember neither of you are in the RAF so why should you call him sir, he can refer to himself in formal letters as Group Captain (rtd) but that is it.
Click to expand...

I think you'll find that he still has a commission, however, he will have moved from the active to the retired list.

If you want this guy to help you then why not use Sir at the beginning, I'm sure you don't want to get his back up and if he's a nice guy he won't even notice.
 
welshwizard said:
Just remember, you won't be joining up as a Group Captain so the daily 4pm hot, buttered crumpets and foi gras in the Officer's Mess will have to be put on hold for a few years.:PDT_Xtremez_19:
WW
Click to expand...

damn.... i love a crumpet. :-) great advice everyone!
 
I cannot believe that anybody has reached the age they are able to join the RAF without having learned the correct way to address a letter/email without asking for advice!

Thread closed, refer to your 11+ years in the classroom. I am certain some English teacher will have given you the basics of letter writing. If not go to college on an adult lit course!
 
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