Learn What V/r Means in an Email and How to Use It Properly

"V/r" is a common way to sign off formal emails in American English military correspondence. "V/r" means "Very respectfully"; "V" meaning "Very" and "/r" meaning "Respectfully."

The reason of using "V/r" in sign-offs is to show deference up the chain of command or as a sign of mutual professional respect between peers.

Within the Department of the Navy and the broader military, "Very Respectfully" and its abbreviation "V/r" are a deeply ingrained and well-understood custom for professional correspondence.

V/R or V/r = Very respectfully
/R = Respectfully

In the SECNAV M-5216.5 from June 2015, it's mentioned that the correct way to sign off an email is with “Respectfully” (when the recipient is junior in rank to the signer), and “Very respectfully” (when the recipient is senior in rank to the signer). The key is understanding the term "signer." The signer is the person sending the email.

“Very respectfully” (Senior in rank to signer): This means the person receiving the email is senior to the signer (the sender).
Therefore, a junior member signs off with "Very respectfully" when writing to a senior member.
“Respectfully” (Junior in rank to signer): This means the person receiving the email is junior to the signer (the sender).
Therefore, a senior member signs off with "Respectfully" when writing to a junior member.

In the manual, it's also mentioned that the abbreviated forms ("V/r" and "R/,") may be used "in a reply to an initial e-mail." This implies that for an initial, formal email, the full phrase ("Very respectfully" or "Respectfully") is preferred.

Example 1: Junior to Senior (Using "V/r,")

V/r,
/s/ JANE P. DOE
JANE P. DOE
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy
Training Officer

Example 2: Senior to Junior (Using "R/,")

R/,
/s/ JOHN Q. SMITH
JOHN Q. SMITH
Commander, U.S. Navy
Department Head

When to Use "V/r" (or "Very respectfully")

When Writing to a Senior Officer or Enlisted Member: This is the primary and most important rule. A person of junior rank always uses "Very respectfully" when formally corresponding with someone of a more senior rank.

Direct Support from Manual: The manual states to use “Very respectfully” when the recipient is “Senior in rank to signer.”

When Writing to a Peer (Same Rank): While the manual does not explicitly state the rule for peers, the established military custom is to use "Very respectfully." It conveys mutual professional respect and is the safest, most courteous option.

When Replying to an Email (as an Abbreviation): The manual specifically notes that the abbreviation "V/r" (along with "R/,") "may be abbreviated in a reply to an initial e-mail."

This suggests that while the full phrase "Very respectfully" is preferred for an initial formal email, the abbreviation "V/r" is officially sanctioned for follow-up correspondence.

When NOT to Use "V/r" (and What to Use Instead)

When a Senior Writes to a Junior: Do not use "V/r."

Correct Usage: A senior member uses "Respectfully" or the abbreviation "R/." The manual supports this by stating to use “Respectfully” when the recipient is “Junior in rank to signer.”

When Writing to Civilians: Do not use "V/r."

Correct Usage: The manual suggests using “Sincerely yours” or “With great respect.”

Who Should Use "V/r" in an Email Signature

"V/r" is used by the junior party in English military email correspondence of the United States of America to show deference to the senior party.

A senior member writing to a junior member should use "R/" (for "Respectfully").

Direct Quote from SECNAV Manual: Use... “Very respectfully” (Senior in rank to signer).

A Junior writing to a Senior: This is the primary rule. An Ensign writing to a Captain, a Sergeant writing to a Major, or a GS-12 writing to a GS-15 would all use "V/r."
A Service Member writing to a Peer: It is also standard and courteous practice to use "V/r" when writing to someone of the same rank. It conveys mutual professional respect.

Abbreviation ("V/r,") vs. Full Phrase ("Very respectfully,")

The choice between the abbreviation and the full phrase depends on the formality and context of the email exchange. The manual suggests using the full phrase in the initial email in the correspondence and abbreviations in the following replies.

Direct Quote from SECNAV Manual:
“Respectfully” and “Very respectfully” may be abbreviated in a reply to an initial e-mail...

Use "Very respectfully," (Full Phrase) for Maximum Formality:

When sending an initial formal email
When the correspondence is of a particularly serious or significant nature (e.g., a formal request to a flag officer)
Spelling it out is always the most formal and respectful option

Use "V/r," (Abbreviation) for Efficiency and Follow-ups:

When replying to an email, as specifically allowed by the manual
In routine, day-to-day correspondence where a formal tone is still required, but the initial formalities have already been established

If the person you are sending the email to is senior to you or the same rank as you, use "V/r," (or "Very respectfully").

Correct Use of Capitalization: V/R vs. v/r vs. V/r

The official and most correct format according to the governing document is "V/r,".

Direct Quote:
"“Respectfully” and “Very respectfully” may be abbreviated in a reply to an initial e-mail (“V/r,” and “R/,”)."

The capital "V" treats it like the beginning of a closing phrase, the lowercase "r" completes the abbreviation, and the comma is part of the standard punctuation for a closing.

Correct use of "V/r" in email signature/closing:

...This concludes the report.
V/r, <-- (You type this part manually)
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
JOHN Q. SMITH <-- (This is your automatic signature block)
Commander, U.S. Navy
Department Head, N4
USS CORRESPONDENCE (CVN-100)
DSN: 123-4567 | COMM: (123) 456-7890
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

FAQ: Using "V/r" in Military Correspondence Signatures

What does "V/r" stand for?

V/r stands for "Very respectfully". It is a formal complimentary close used in military and government correspondence.

What does "R/" stand for?

R/ stands for "Respectfully". It is also a formal complimentary close, but its use is reserved for senior members writing to junior members.

What is the reason behind using "V/r," for seniors and "R/," for juniors?

The difference signals respect for the chain of command. Using V/r, (Very respectfully) is a sign of deference shown upward from a junior to a senior. Using R/, (Respectfully) is the professional courtesy shown downward from a senior to a junior, maintaining a professional but hierarchical tone.

Who should use "V/r,"?

You should use V/r, in two main situations:

When you are junior in rank and writing to a senior.
When writing to a peer of the same rank as a sign of mutual professional respect.

Should I put "V/r," in my automatic email signature?

No. The complimentary close you use (V/r, or R/,) must change depending on the recipient's rank, while an automatic signature is static. You should type the correct closing manually before your signature block in each email.