Abbreviating military rank titles: acceptable?

RSwordsman · Jul 3, 2014

I have an instance where the title "Commander" appears twice in fairly quick succession. In the US military at least, ranks have standard abbreviations for various situations where writing out the entire name would be too cumbersome.

Would abbreviating something like the above to "Cmdr." be appropriate to use in prose outside of dialogue? A nagging feeling tells me no, but I'd like to know for sure and quick research was inconclusive.

NRoach · Jul 3, 2014

I wouldn't, personally. Sometimes you need to use the same word twice in a short time, and you wouldn't abbreviate any other.

Dennis E. Taylor · Jul 3, 2014

I've been told that inside dialog, you should even spell out numbers. Basically, you write what they are saying.

Chase · Jul 3, 2014

If ranks before names are spoken in dialog, I would spell out Chief Jones, Lieutenant Smith, and Commander Johnson.

In narrative, I would say it's okay to write: CPO Jones told Lt. Smith that Cmdr. Johnson was on the bridge.

However, specifics are best to work with. May we look at the lines in question?

NRoach · Jul 3, 2014

Angry Guy said:
I've been told that inside dialog, you should even spell out numbers. Basically, you write what they are saying.

My rule of thumb for numbers is that for all numbers below 13 I'll write the word (one, ten, five) and for all above the numerals.

I'd disagree the the same rules apply to numbers as ranks, though. Cmdr suggests a different attitude that Commander, personally; one more rushed.

RSwordsman · Jul 3, 2014

I meant for use outside dialogue in narrative, but I managed to reword it so it didn't repeat as such and the full spelling wasn't as cumbersome. Thank you very much for the replies so far

Rufus Coppertop · Jul 5, 2014

I'd find myself wondering if cmdr stands for commander or commodore?

Chase · Jul 5, 2014

Rufus Coppertop said:
I'd find myself wondering if cmdr stands for commander or commodore?

In the U.S. Navy, the sometimes on-again-off-again and now honorary rank of commodore is "cdre," as in Cdre. Perry who was later promoted to Adm. Perry.

Cmdr. is only for commander.

T Robinson · Jul 5, 2014

But it is a valid point by Rufus. If there is any possibility of reader confusion, it is better to spell it out and be clear. The point you just made would be unknown by most people.

Rufus Coppertop · Jul 5, 2014

Chase said:
In the U.S. Navy, the sometimes on-again-off-again and now honorary rank of commodore is "cdre," as in Cdre. Perry who was later promoted to Adm. Perry.

Cmdr. is only for commander.

The differences make perfect sense and a lot of people seeing them in context would realize which one refers to which rank. I'd go with T Robinson's advice and spell them out in full though.

(Maybe it's just me but there's something about the title "commodore" that suggests really nice hats and harpsichords squeezed into cabins.)

Chase · Jul 5, 2014

T Robinson said:
But it is a valid point by Rufus. If there is any possibility of reader confusion, it is better to spell it out and be clear. The point you just made would be unknown by most people.

Rufus Coppertop said:
The differences make perfect sense and a lot of people seeing them in context would realize which one refers to which rank. I'd go with T Robinson's advice and spell them out in full though.

(Maybe it's just me but there's something about the title "commodore" that suggests really nice hats and harpsichords squeezed into cabins.)

I absolutely agree, Commodore Robinson and Commodore Rufus. I was merely being my smartass self and answering Ruff's question, 'cause my father and older brother were career navy men.

Private Last Class Chase, US Army (Ret)

Duncan J Macdonald · Jul 7, 2014

And just to be totally anal about this, the U.S.Navy uses all capitals for rank abbreviations. Thus:
ENS = Ensign
LTJG = Lieutenant, Junior Grade
LT = Lieutenant
LCDR = Lieutenant Commander
CDR = Commander
CAPT = Captain
RMDL = Rear Admiral, Lower Half (Commodore Equivalent. If needed, CDRE)
RADM = Rear Admiral
VADM = Vice Admiral
ADM = Admiral

Jamesaritchie · Jul 7, 2014

NRoach said:
My rule of thumb for numbers is that for all numbers below 13 I'll write the word (one, ten, five) and for all above the numerals.

I'd disagree the the same rules apply to numbers as ranks, though. Cmdr suggests a different attitude that Commander, personally; one more rushed.

In dialogue, size doesn't matter. nyAone can say "five hundred", but no one ever has, or ever will, say "500".

Jamesaritchie · Jul 7, 2014

RSwordsman said:
I have an instance where the title "Commander" appears twice in fairly quick succession. In the US military at least, ranks have standard abbreviations for various situations where writing out the entire name would be too cumbersome.

Would abbreviating something like the above to "Cmdr." be appropriate to use in prose outside of dialogue? A nagging feeling tells me no, but I'd like to know for sure and quick research was inconclusive.

The question, I think, is why would you want to abbreviate such a word? What are you gaining by doing so? So what if the word appears twice? That was your choice.

Chase · Jul 7, 2014

Duncan J Macdonald said:
And just to be totally anal about this, the U.S.Navy uses all capitals for rank abbreviations.

Thank Neptune, the navy only dictates to All Hands, Tailhook, and such swabbie publications.

Duncan J Macdonald · Jul 7, 2014

Chase said:
Thank Neptune, the navy only dictates to All Hands, Tailhook, and such swabbie publications.

Avast there, ye landlubber! We also be dictatin' to Proceedings and Pirates Almanac!

Chase · Jul 7, 2014

Duncan J Macdonald said:
Avast there, ye landlubber!

My dad, a navy chief, claims other services stole this question and its series of responses:

Hey, Mac! Are you a turtle?

Duncan J Macdonald · Jul 7, 2014

Chase said:
My dad, a navy chief, claims other services stole this question and its series of responses:

Hey, Mac! Are you a turtle?

Alas sir, I am not. All that I have achieved on my own is the Order of the Dragon and becoming a Trusty Shellback.

Abbreviating military rank titles: acceptable?

RSwordsman

NRoach

Dennis E. Taylor

Get it off! It burns!

Chase

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RSwordsman

Rufus Coppertop

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T Robinson

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Rufus Coppertop

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Duncan J Macdonald

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Jamesaritchie

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Duncan J Macdonald

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