Commodore and Captain
Commodore was a rank held by Captains during their tenure of
certain specific appointments, on completion of which they reverted to the rank of Captain. Since 1997, however, the rank of Commodore has been substantive, and it ranks above Captain.
These ranks should not be abbreviated.
How to Address a Commodore
The recommended social style of address is as follows:
| Beginning of letter | Dear Commodore/Captain Smith |
| End of letter | Yours sincerely |
| Envelope | Commodore/Captain John Smith, CBE, RN |
| Verbal address | Commodore/Captain Smith* |
| Invitation | Commodore/Captain John Smith |
| Description in conversation | Commodore/Captain Smith |
| List of Directors or Patrons | Commodore/Captain John Smith |
| Place card | Commodore/Captain John Smith |
*A younger man, or a more junior officer in any of the Armed Forces, addresses him as 'Sir'.
