I'm quite certain I've earned it. Take your seat, Colonel.
Yes. Said witness bas a Brigadier General, retired as Major General. In my experience, not as an officer, ma'am was how one addressed women, officer or civilian. Sir for men. Gen Walsh addressed male senators as sir in the same hearing with no complaints. Embarrassing behvior, could be from her ego or lack of knowledge of the military.
RIG. GEN. MICHAEL WALSH: Ma'am, at the LACPR ...
SEN. BARBARA BOXER (D-CA): You know, do me a favor, could you say "senator" instead of "ma'am"?
WALSH: Yes.
BOXER: It's just the thing. I worked so hard to get that title, so I'd appreciate it. Yes, thank you.
WALSH: Yes, Senator.
Right, he called her Ma’am. Of course she didn’t realize having no experience with military, that is the equivalent to Sir. Military does not always use the rank name depending on the course of a conversation or the situation. A quick Ma’am or Sir is still as respectful - unless protocol has changed since my days.