Duke From Canada, joined Sep 1999, 1135 posts, RR: 2 Posted (8 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 862 times:
I have seen a number of cases in which retired military officers are referred to by their title (including, perhaps, my late grandfather, a Colonel).
Are there any laws or regulations about this, and is it a universal custom? Are certain situations more appropriate than others for calling an officer who has resigned by the title?
LHMark From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 7255 posts, RR: 51 Reply 1, posted (8 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 856 times:
It depends. Any retired officers selling fried chicken get referred to by their rank.
"Sympathy is something that shouldn't be bestowed on the Yankees. Apparently it angers them." - Bob Feller
Amy From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2005, 1150 posts, RR: 9 Reply 2, posted (8 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 855 times:
As fare as I know:
You only take your title if you were captain or above. I also believe that your retirement title is one less than the rank you were upon your leaving the amred services, although this might well be wrong.
I should also Imagine that the person would have to make a proper career out of the armed services, not just a short service comission etc.
Kieron747 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (8 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 853 times:
Hello,
I'm not sure if there are any actual laws regarding this. In my field of work, I have come across several old retired service officers who like to retain their title. Quite often, even when signing papers, I have seen for example...
Captain John Smith RAF (Ret).
I don't see anything wrong with it if an officer has not been discharged or something like that. Titles can mean a hell of a lot to people. I for one still take pride in writing 'Doctor' infront of my name.
ANCFlyer From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (8 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 852 times:
US Military Customs and Courtesies. I have several retired Officer that I communicate with regularly.
One, in particular, in Kentucky that I still call Colonel. I have known him for 22 years. He was a senior Captain when we met. He will always be Colonel to me, out of respect for he as a man and an Officer in the US Army. That's not to say we're not friends. I know his wife well, and watched his two children grow up. I helped him build his new house in Kentucky (after his other burned down). It's tradition, it's courtesy, it's a military thing. He still calls me Sergeant Major.
Another gent, here in Alaska, similar situation. I've known him for 18 years, met him as a senior Captain as well. We're both retired, he from the Air Force. Still he will never be Bob between the two of us. When speaking in public - or to a thrid party - I use his name so no one is confused. When speaking alone with him, it's Sir or Colonel.
Now - there are a few officers I know - active and retired - that I will avoid speaking with or won't give the courtesy of referring to their current or retired rank. It's a respect thing . . . . respect is earned, not given.
This custom is not restricted to officers, but to senior enlisted personnel as well. In my current occupation I do not use my retired military title. But on all my civilian paperwork, e-mail, etc (except for personal letters) I do use it. It's a matter of pride and custom. I earned it, honorably, and I intend to keep it honorably.
DesertJets From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 7673 posts, RR: 18 Reply 5, posted (8 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 839 times:
My sister in-law's grandfather, long after he retired from the navy, was refered as Commander by people in the neighborhood. Though at the time, 50's and 60's, most of the people in their Rockville, MD neighborhood were active or retired Navy.
Stop drop and roll will not save you in hell. --- seen on a church marque in rural Virginia
CaptOveur From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (8 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 810 times:
It depends on how much ego is attached to their former rank. Also it depends if you want anything from them. If they were more in love with the bird on their shoulder or the stripes on their arm than life itself and you want something from them, you might want to call them by their former rank. If you really want to piss off some egotistical bastard who is in love with their rank I suggest NOT calling them by it.
ANCFlyer From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (8 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 806 times:
Quoting CaptOveur (Reply 6): If you really want to piss off some egotistical bastard who is in love with their rank I suggest NOT calling them by it.
It does come in handy when visiting the military bases . . . because of the reserved parking for Colonels/Captains (O-6), Generals/Admirals (O-7 thru O-10) and Chiefs/Sergeants Major/Master Chiefs (E9s) Remember, Capt, Sergeant's Majors are Swaggering, Overbearing Dictators with Delusions of God Hood! Only, I don't swagger . . .
You would be correct too, Capt . . . nothing pisses me off more than some Air Force Gate Cop that says "Howdy, welcome to Elmendorf, have a nice day, CHIEF". Little shit never learned proper rank structure and shouldn't be standing a gate post.
DL021 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 11433 posts, RR: 81 Reply 8, posted (8 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 793 times:
Rank is earned and when the serviceman retires they are entitled to the perquisites of their rank, including saluting (if in uniform) and being addressed by their rank.
DL021 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 11433 posts, RR: 81 Reply 11, posted (8 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 782 times:
Quoting ANCFlyer (Reply 10): Depends on who I had a date with the night before - sometimes I simply crawl!
Or ask for three steps out the door...while you run from the man with the .44?
Duke From Canada, joined Sep 1999, 1135 posts, RR: 2 Reply 13, posted (8 years 1 month 1 week 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 738 times:
Yes, clear enough. Of course, honorary folks like Col. Sanders and Col. Parker are in a league of their own.
BTW, like his agent Col. Parker, Elvis Presley was made an honorary Colonel by the Governor of a State. It didn't make Col. Parker too happy. Of course, in the Army, Elvis got to Sergeant and that was it...
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From Canada, joined Sep 1999, 1135 posts, 
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Remember, Capt, Sergeant's Majors are Swaggering, Overbearing Dictators with Delusions of God Hood! Only, I don't swagger . . . 
Don't ask, don't tell . . . 
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