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by QMCRET on March 21st, 2006

QMCRET

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Should a military MD be addressed by rank or as "doctor"?

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  • by Drinking Dano on March 25th, 2006

    Drinking Dano

    With in the Commonwealth Realms, it is proper to refer to a medical Doctor by either rank or “Doctor”, unless you are having a conversation unrelated to medical issues, in which case you generally refer to them by their rank.

    This however is mostly used as guidelines (as opposed to “law” which it really is, under the Queen’s Rules and Regulations) and my in experience, most medical Doctors actually prefer you use their medical title. One does refer to a medical Doctor who is a General as General. But again, the only medical Doctor I ever met who was a General (Major General in that case) preferred you referred to him as Doctor.

    It’s interesting to note however, that when it comes to Religious personnel, they can be referred to in a number of ways. More often then not however, they are simply referred to as “Padre”. It becomes even more confusing if that person has a doctorate in Theology. If that is the case, (For a protestant Padre) they could be referred to as;

    Rank Smith
    Reverend (Or equivalent) Smith
    Reverend (Or equivalent) Rank Smith
    Reverend (Or equivalent) Doctor Rank Smith
    Doctor Rank Smith
    Padre Smith or simply Padre

    Most religious figures in the military will often try to get you to avoid thinking of them as military officers so that the lowest recruit might feel a little more comfortable talking to them on both personal and religious issues. I actually knew one Padre who was a Major and refused to return salutes. He would simply smile and nod.

    If an Officer has a scientific title of “Doctor” then the rank is used unless the officer him/herself would prefer otherwise. In this case, it’s more of a courtesy to that officer than what is proper.

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