It is common practice to refer to Lieutenant Colonels as well as full Colonels as Colonel in the Army, USAF & USMC; just as Navy Lieutenant Commanders are referred to as Commander even when they don’t have the extra stripe. Also, sergeants are generally referred to as sergeant whether they are E-5 or E-7; E-8s are First Sergeant or Master Sergeant and E-9s are consistently called Sergeant Major. I was a Sergeant First Class, E-7, but was I was generally addressed as Sergeant Grey Friar. And folks could see my SFC rank on my collar/sleeve/shoulder, depending upon the uniform I was wearing.
WELCOME HOME, brother-in-arms.
Yours, TMN78247
USA, Retired