How to Address Retired Officers
or Enlisted Personnel of a
United States Armed Service
Retired active duty officers may continue to use their ranks; circumstances will determine continued use of ranks by retired reserve officers. The service designation (abbreviation for the branch of service) is used in official situations, but whether it is included or omitted in a particular official situation is often determined by the circumstances and the need for clarity.
Envelope, official:
(Full rank) (full name), USA/USAF/USMC, Retired
(Address)
or
(Full rank) (full name), USA/USAF/USMC, Ret.
(Address)
or
(Full rank) (full name), USN/USCG, Retired
(Address)
or
(Full rank) (full name), USN/USCG, Ret.
(Address) So, for example, that would like ....
Captain Robert W. Thompson, USN, Retired
(Address)
Envelope, Social:
(Full rank) (full name)
(Address) So, for example, that would like ....
Captain Robert W. Thompson
(Address)
Letter salutation:
Dear (basic rank) (surname):
How to Address Retired Military Personnel?
Questions about how to address retired officers and enlisted personnel are among the most frequent questions I get. Check out either of the two pages for additional information: Link to Q&A just on how to address retired military personnel Link to Q&A just on use of rank by retired military & veterans
Link to Q&A just on Joint Forms of Address
(Includes military personnel and their spouses)
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