JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
There is an Air Force Instruction that tells us the official terms of address for every enlisted rank. The Enlisted Force Structure, AFI 36-2618, provides information about each rank, including the often overlooked official terms of address. Let's look at them.
E-1 - airman basic
E-2 - airman
E-3 - airman first class
E-4 - senior airman
All E-1 through E-4 may also be addressed as Airman or Airmen
E-5 - staff sergeant
E-6 - technical sergeant
E-7 - master sergeant
E-8 - senior master sergeant
E-5 through E-8 may also be addressed as Sergeant
E-9 - chief master sergeant or chief
"Senior" is specifically noted as not being an appropriate term of address for senior master sergeants. They should be addressed as senior master sergeant or sergeant.
Near the other end of the rank structure is airman first class, often referred to as A1C in conversation. A1C (spoken as "A" "1" "C") is not listed as an official term of address and should not be used as such. I attend many ceremonies and interact with many referral agencies throughout Joint Base Charleston and I often hear these mistakes and they detract from otherwise professional events and environments.
Attention to detail, such as senior vs. senior master sergeant and A1C vs. airman first class is important to the professional military member. Though considered trivial by some, taking the time to learn and use the correct official terms of address is an easy way to show respect and appreciation for the level of responsibility the Air Force has entrusted to enlisted personnel at each rank.