Two types of Captains:
—-* USA (Army), USAF (Air Force) & USMC (Marine Corps)
—-* USN (Navy) & USCG (Coast Guard).
—-—-Forms for both appear below.

–____–—-For a captain and spouse, see Couple, MilitaryHow to Address a Captain

How to Address a Captain: USA, USAF, or USMC

Here is how you address official correspondence to a Captain: USA, USAF or USMC.

—-Envelope, official:
—-—-Captain (Full Name), USA/USAF/USMC
—-—-(Address)

—-Letter salutation:
—-—-Dear Captain (surname):

Here is how you address social correspondence (like an invitation or personal note) to a Captain: USA, USAF or USMC.

—-Envelope, official:
—-—-Captain (Full Name)
—-—-(Address)

—-Letter salutation:
—-—-Dear Captain (surname),

Abbreviating Ranks: Above I’ve shown the rank fully spelled out. Each service has service-specific abbreviations for their ranks. For ‘captain’ the USA uses the abbreviation: CPT – all capitals, no period. The USMC and the USAF use the abbreviation: Capt – Cap and lower case, no period. Follow this link to service-specific abbreviations.

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

How to Address a Captain: USN or USCG

Here is how you address official correspondence to a Captain: USN or USCG.

—-Envelope, official:
—-—-Captain (Full Name), USN/USCG
—-—-(Address)

—-Letter salutation:
—-—-Dear Captain (surname):

Here is how you address social correspondence (like an invitation or personal note) to a Captain: USN or USCG.

—-Envelope, official:
—-—-Captain (Full Name)
—-—-(Address)

—-Letter salutation:
—-—-Dear Captain (surname),

Abbreviating Ranks: Above I’ve shown the rank fully spelled out. Each service has service-specific abbreviations for the ranks. For the U.S.N. and the U.S.C.G. the abbreviation for captain is CAPT. This abbreviation is routinely used within the services.  Follow this link for service-specific abbreviations.

How to Address a Captain, USA, USMC, USAF or USN, USCG

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

How to Address a Captain in the US Army?

My future son-in-law, a West Point grad who is now a Captain in the Army, visited our home last weekend for the first time. I am writing him a thank you note for his thoughtful gift. My question: on the envelope do I write Mr. William Smith or Captain William Smith?  Since this is personal, which title would be correct?
——————– Rennie Hendricks

Dear RH:
—–#1) Armed services personnel are addressed by rank both professionally and socially. He’s always Captain (name) except when you are addressing him on a first-name basis.

—–#2) Since this is personal, use the social form (no branch of service on social correspondence.):

———-Social envelope:
———-—–Captain William Smith
—–———-Address

———-Salutation:
———-—–Dear Captain Smith,

—–But since it is a personal note, you likey can start your note:
—–—–Dear Bill,

– Robert Hickey

See These Related Posts:
—––—How to Address Active Duty Personnel
———How to Address Retired Personnel
—––—How to Address Reservists
—––—Use of Rank by Retired Personnel
—––—Use of Rank by a Reservist
—––—Use of Rank by a Veteran
—––—How to Address a Military Doctor
—––—How to Address a Military Chaplain
—––—How to Address a Military Couple
—––—How to Abbreviate Ranks

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

When Should You Use the Forms on this Page?

You can use these forms of address for any mode of communication: addressing a letter, invitation, card or Email. (If there are differences between the official and social forms of address, I will have mentioned the different forms.)  The form noted in the salutation is the same form you say when you say their name in conversation or when you greet them.
___What I don’t cover on this site are many things I do cover in my book: all the rules of forms of address, about names, international titles, precedence, complimentary closes, details on invitations, place cards, all sorts of introductions, etc. I hope you’ll get a copy of the book if you’d like the further detail.

Not Finding Your Answer?

—-#1)  At right on desktops, at the bottom of every page on tablets and phones, is a list of all the offices, officials & topics covered on the site.

—-#2)  If you don’t see the official you seek included or your question answered send me an e-mail. I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day or so (unless I am traveling.)  Note: I don’t have mailing or Email addresses for any of the officials and I don’t keep track of offices that exist only in history books.

—-#3)  If I think your question is of interest to others, Sometimes I post the question  – but always change all the specifics.

— Robert Hickey 

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

Recommended Resources:  The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW) and Protocol and Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA)    For more information see the Protocol Resources page.