Retired Members of the
United States Armed Services
Questions & Answers, Frequently Asked Questions, and Blog

How Do I Address a Former (Non-Military) Official?     
Can One Use His/Her Rank in Retirement as a Civilian DoD Employee?     
How Do I Address a Former, but Not Retired, Military Officer?        
How Do I Address a Grey Area Retired Military Officer?        
How Do I a Use my Miltary Rank on a Return Address?        
How Do I Use My Retired Rank in My E-mail Address Block?  
Retired: Spelled Out -or- Abbreviated?        
Use of "Retired" & Military Rank on an Invitation     
Use of "Retired" on a Certificate?     
Use of USMC or USMCR: I Served in Both?        
How to Address a Retired General Officer in Conversation?        

How to Address a Retired O-8 (Major General)?    
How to Address a Retired O-8 (Rear Admiral)?      
How to Address a Retired O-7 (Brigadier General)?   
How to Address a Retired O-7 (Brigadier General) socially?      
How to Address a Retired O-5 (Lieutenant Colonel)?        
How to Address a Retired O-3 (Captain)?        
How to Address a Retired Officer of Unknown Rank?        
How to Address a Retired CW2 (Chief Warrant Officer)?        

How to Address a Retired JAGC?      
How to Address Retired Non-Commissioned Officers?     
How to Address Retired National Guard Officers?      
How to Address a Retired Officer and His Spouse?      
How to Address a Retired Officer who has a Doctorate?      
How to Address a Retired Officer who is a Physician?     
How to Address a Retired Officer who is also a Professor?      
How to Address a Retired Officer who is also a Dean?      

How Do I Address a Former (Non-Military) Official?
Link to Q&A just on Former Officials (e.g., government, non-military)

Can a Retired Officer Use His/Her Rank as a DoD Civilian Employee?
       Some years ago I recall seeing in an US Army protocol document that retired Army officers who subsequently become Department of the Army civilians were not to use or refer to their retired rank in connection with their civilian service position.  Can you verify that?
    V/R
    Timothy Stoner

Dear Mr. Stoner:
     The DoD directive you refer to forbids the use by retired personnel of a military rank in any sort of commercial enterprise. This is generally interpreted to forbid use anytime there could be any possibility someone might confuse a retired officer to be an active duty officer. So…
        As a civilian employee of a defense contractor working interacting with active duty personnel ... definitely no
        As a ski instructor in Telluride, Colorado ... probably not an issue.
         -- Robert Hickey

What DoD Directive Forbids Use of Ranks by Retired Personnel in Commercial Enterprises?
    I am working on an informal publication that will be published by the Defense Department and I need to list members who participated in some of the work. The members include retired military, retired government civilians, persons with academic degrees (PhDs), etc.
      I just looked at you website and I have a question .You reference a directive “the DoD directive you refer to forbids the use by retired personnel of a military rank in any sort of commercial enterprise.”  Do you know the exact citation for the directive?
          -- Writing Away @ the Institute for Defense Analyses

Dear WA@TIFDA:
    I asked an front-line expert on the topic ... a Protocol Officer (and Protocol School of Washington® graduate) for the reference: CDR Ginny Raderstorf, NC, USN Retired, Special Assistant, Executive & Legislative Affairs, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland. Here is what she says backs up the statement. Note: JER is the Joint Ethics Regulations.
    From the JER, para. 2-304:  "Use of Military Title by Retirees or Reserves. Retired military members and members of Reserve Components, not on active duty, may use military titles in connection with commercial enterprises, provided they clearly indicate their retired or inactive Reserve status. However, any use of military titles is prohibited if it in any way casts discredit on DoD or gives the appearance of sponsorship, sanction, endorsement, or approval by DoD.  In addition, in overseas areas, commanders may further restrict the use of titles by retired military members and members of Reserve Components."
    DODI 5410.20, Public Affairs Relations With Business and Nongovernmental Organizations Representing Business, has a section on commercial enterprises, too -- see para. 7.
    DODI 1334.01, which concerns wear of the uniform:
    "It is DoD policy that:
        3.1. The wearing of the uniform by members of the Armed Forces (including retired members and members of Reserve components) is prohibited under any of the following circumstances:
            3.1.2. During or in connection with furthering political activities, private employment or commercial interests, when an inference of official sponsorship for the activity or interest may be drawn."
    Thanks, Ginny!
                 -- Robert Hickey

How to Address a Retired Member of the National Guard?
     I have a question on the proper addressing of a Retired National Guard Command Sergeant Major. After his name, would it be USA, Retired or USANG Retired? Thank you!
          -- Becky Kozik

Dear Ms. Kozik:
     Well, actually, I am not familiar with the post nominal USANG ....
    I am more familiar with USA .. for the United Stated Army ... and ANG .. for the Air National Guard:
                  Lt Gen William Smith, USA, Retired
                  Lt Gen Harry M. Wyatt, ANG, Retired
    BUT ... I admit I am not the ultimate authority on military post-nominal abbreviations! 
    (Reader: if you know more about this ... let me know. I'm always interested in better information.)
    However, I do know that if you are retired from the United States Naval Reserve, USNR, you use USNR, Retired ... and you do not use USN as would someone who retired from standard, non-reserve, United States Navy who uses USN, Retired.
    If based on that standard practice, then if he retired from the  ANG ...then he would continue to use that post-nominal abbreviation.
                 Command Sergent Major (full name), ANG, Retired
       -- Robert Hickey

Robert
   I really do appreciate your prompt and thorough response.  I think your response makes absolute sense and it helps confirm what I was thinking.  Thank you again!
          -- V/R, BK

How to Sign a Letter as a Grey Area Retiree?
     I am a US Army Reserve Retired Captain (Gray Area Retiree).  I am employed in the civilian sector.  One of my former soldiers (still serving), has requested a letter of recommendation from me to help him achieve a career goal.
     I know that I can no longer use a military letterhead, and I intend to refer to myself as either CPT(R) Kenneth Norris, or Kenneth Norris, Captain, Retired.
     I don’t have the name of the authority that will be evaluating my former soldier, so I was going to use To Whom it may Concern.
     Can you help me with the rest of the letter formatting and correct any errors I may have made thus far?
      -- KC Norris

Dear CPT Norris:
    The DOD guidelines do not suggests either of the forms you mention: CPT(R) Kenneth Morrison or Kenneth Morrison, Captain, Retired.  The forms DOD guidelines suggest for retired armed service personnel are:
            Captain Kenneth Norris, USAR, Retired
                        or
            Captain Kenneth Norris, USAR, Ret.
    Being a Grey Area Retiree does not affect these forms of address.
    There are innumerable books on how to set up a letter, but here's what I would do. On your personal letterhead ... or just a sheet of stationery ... just set it up as you would any personal letter:
                        Date
                        Home Address
            To whom it may concern:
            (Text of the letter)
            (Closing .. Sincerely is standard in business ...
                    Very Respectfully is more standard among the military ...
                    but maybe a bit odd since you don't know of whom you are being VR?)
            (Signature)
            Captain Kenneth Norris, USAR, Retired
   -- Robert Hickey

Dear Fund Raiser:
     For official correspondence DOD guides use the comma ... and either "Ret." or "Retired" is acceptable.
             Brigadier General Arthur Portnoy, USA, Retired
             Brigadier General Arthur Portnoy, USA, Ret.
    You may want to consider for your database using the service-specific abbreviations for the ranks:
            BG Arthur Portnoy, USA, Ret.
            BG Arthur Portnoy, USA, Retired
    DOD people like the service-specific abbreviations because they can tell that a BG is in the Army, and a BGen is a Marine.  All those service-specific abbreviations ... USA, USN, USMC, USAF and CG .... are in my book.
   Note that the branch of service and retired status may not be necessary for what you are doing: On social correspondence (personal letters, invitations or cards) their status ... active duty, retired ... or branch of service ... is not pertinent ... and is not suggested in DOD guides.
    When "retired" IS PERTINENT is in military environments where "active duty" personnel are present.
    Say a retired officer is working at a defense contractor. It would be potentially confusing to present themselves as a "General" when in fact they are not longer a commanding officer and may be dealing with an active duty "General".   That's the logic, and in that case "Retired' is always noted.
                           -- Robert Hickey

Dear Ms. Greenwood:
    Refer to address the form I suggest for a Major General elsewhere on the site.
    If your note is more 'social' than 'official'  ... e.g.,  addressed to his home rather than his office ....  leave "USAF" off .... on social correspondence the branch of service is omitted.
    A social envelope is addressed to:
        Major General (Full name)
            (Address)
   An official envelope is addressed to:
        Major General (Full name), USAF, Ret.
            (Address)
   Salutation is the same in either official or social ....
        Dear General (Surname)
             -- Robert Hickey

Dear JP:
      DOD documents say anyone of any rank or rating who retires is entitled to use their rank or rating in retirement subject to certain restrictions in commercial enterprises -- such as in a business situation when it could be confusing whether you were presenting yourself as 'active duty' OR 'retired"  
    An example of when it should not be used would be a retired USAF officer who in retirement takes a job for Boeing ... and then deals with active duty personnel as a Boeing employee.  He should not use his rank as a Boeing employee since he is acting as a civilian.
    So ... that's your issue.
    However any retired person can continue to use their rank or rating socially ... or at work outside the commercial arena. I once worked at a university and many retired military personnel worked ... all used their ranks ... but then again it was in academia and there was no confusion if they were acting as DOD personnel.
             -- Robert Hickey

Dear Doug::
      You write "my retired rank after my name" -- DOD docs show two forms use for retired ranks which 'surround the name ...
              (Full rank) (full name), USA, Retired
                  or
              (Full rank) (full name), USA, Ret. 
    If you want to follow your colleagues form ... rank after name ... it's not in a DOD manual ... but how about:
              Douglas Bridwell, Captain, USN, Retired
                   or
              Douglas Bridwell, Captain, USN, Ret.
   DOD manuals only cover correspondence.
             -- Robert Hickey

Dear Ms. Gillman:
   I have the form for an official envelope for a Brigadier General on the site.
    But you need the social form for a note of condolence.
    For a social letter Department of Defense guides suggest "full rank” without the branch of service or ‘Retired.”
        Social envelope:

            Brigadier General (full name)

            (Address)

        Letter salutation is the same either way with just the "basic" rank:
           Dear General (surname):
            -- Robert Hickey

Should I Use USMC or USMCR: I Served in Both?
    Dear Robert,
    I enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on 10/17/1985, went to boot camp 05/28/86, was in the Marine Corps Reserve 09/86 to 9/90, active duty 10/1/1990, entered OCS commissioned 12/7/90, was on active duty through 7/1/97, went in to the Marine Corps Reserve from 07/97 - 11/1/05 when I retired as a Major.
    Should I list myself as Major, USMCR (retired) or Major, USMC (retired)?
    Does the Marine Corps still use the abbreviation USMCR?
    Any advice is appreciated--I just want to be sure I list it properly.
    Thank you!
             -- Paul

Dear Paul,
    Since you retired from the USMCR, you should note your retirement as being from the USMCR.
    The direct forms of address suggested by the DOD manuals are as follows, without parentheses:
         Major Paul J. Dexter, USMCR, Retired
            Or
         Major Paul J. Dexter, USMCR, Ret.
    Sometimes you see in a list
         Paul J. Dexter (Major, USMC, Retired)
    ... but that's not a direct form of address. It would be appropriate in print (e.g., in a list) if other names appeared without honorifics and somehow your retired status was pertinent.
            -- Robert Hickey

How to Address General Who Is an M.D.?
      My fiance and I are having a terrible time addressing some of our envelopes for our wedding. We have a number of high-ranking military officials that are retired and are medical doctors.
      For example we have a three star retired general (US Army) -- a Lieutenant General who is a physician.
      How do I write this: Lieutenant General James Doe, MD, Retired and Mrs. Janice Doe???
      Does Mrs. Janice Doe go on another line I would assume?
      We are including the women's names on our envelopes because I am a bit of a feminist and hate the idea of leaving off any reference to the woman's identity.
      Thanks for your help!
        -- Carrie Worsham

Dear Ms. Worsham,
    The most formal forms, e.g. how The White House would address an invitation to a Lieutenant General and his wife.  (BTW, they use my book.)
    1) No M.D.: You never use an academic degree with a military rank.
    2) The name of the person with the rank goes first.
    3) You can address your wedding invitations however you like, but as you infer it's traditional that when a couple uses the same last name ... and the woman uses "Mrs." ... woman's first name is not included.    
    Traditionally use of Mrs. (first name) + (last name) indicates a woman is divorced -- e.g., it's how she would be listed on a wedding invitation if they were no longer married, but she and her former husband were hosting the wedding.
    4) Branch of service and retired status are not used on social correspondence.
        So on the mailing envelope:
            Lieutenant General James Doe
                and Mrs. Doe
                    (address)
        And on the inside envelope you use 'conversational forms":
            General Doe and Mrs. Doe
       Or if they are family or very close friends
            Jim and Janice
            Uncle Jim and Aunt Janice
            -- Robert Hickey

How to Address a Ranger?
      I don't know the exact rank of an individual, but I know that he was a Ranger, and I know that he commanded men. He served in Vietnam, and saw a lot of fighting. 
     He also retired from the Military, and from our company.  He was a great guy and I greatly respect his military service and his work.  We are sending him a gift card as a surprise, and I wanted to address the card in a respectful manner.
     How would you suggest I address the card?  I've already checked with personnel, but they have put his file away and are no help.
     I appreciate your help.
        -- Ann Robinson

Dear Ms. Robinson:
    It's really great you want to honor this gentleman and his service.
    1) Members of military groups such as Paratroopers, Rangers, and Navy Seals, each have a military rank ... such as "Lieutenant"  or "Captain"... They are addressed by their military rank then after their name they are identified as a member of "XXX unit."
             Captain James Wilson, Member of the United States Army Rangers ... etc.
    2) Retired military can use -- or decide not to use -- their military rank in their post-military career.
    So if you don't know his rank --- and the personnel dept. doesn't know -- and he didn't ask his colleagues to address him as "Captain James Wilson" ... then I suggest you follow his lead and not address him with a rank and use "Mr. James Wilson"   He would be the one to express his preference to continue use of his military rank. 
     3) I cover forms of address for the "Texas Rangers" in my book .... so let me know if that's the kind of "ranger" you are talking about.
    Back to you guy .... maybe you can write a note in the card saying that you are aware of his service to the country and how much you admire his actions and bravery?   That might accomplish you goal!
      -- Robert Hickey

Can a Retired Officer Use His/Her Rank as a DoD Civilian Employee?
       Some years ago I recall seeing in an US Army protocol document that retired Army officers who subsequently become Department of the Army civilians were not to use or refer to their retired rank in connection with their civilian service position.  Can you verify that?
    V/R
    Timothy Stoner

Dear Mr. Stoner:
     The DoD directive you refer to forbids the use by retired personnel of a military rank in any sort of commercial enterprise. This is generally interpreted to forbid use anytime there could be any possibility someone might confuse a retired officer to be an active duty officer. So…
        As a civilian employee of a defense contractor working interacting with active duty personnel ... definitely no
        As a ski instructor in Telluride, Colorado ... probably not an issue.
         -- Robert Hickey

How to Address a Retired Rear Admiral?
Dear Robert Hickey:
     How would I address a retired admiral who now holds another position. Here's what I have in mind for the envelope and for the salutation. What do you think?
    ENVELOPE:
        Rear Admiral William Smith
            Director of the Executive Residence and Chief Usher
                The White House
                    1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
                           Washington, DC 20500
                                United States of America
    SALUTATION:
        Dear Rear Admiral Smith:
                    -- C. MacP., Toronto, Canada


Dear C. MacP:
    Use the form I show on page 216.
    Write "Rear Admiral (full name)" ... which is the full rank on the envelope .... but use "Admiral (surname)" as the salutation.
    All admirals are orally addressed as "Admiral"  which is the "basic rank" ... the "full rank" -- Fleet Admiral, Vice Admiral, Rear Admiral -- is used in writing. 
    On page 94 I include everything about how to write the branch of service and note his retired status.  Here you include the branch of service USN and Retired after his name. At the White House, there are probably active-duty "admirals" ... so do include Retired for clarity and completeness.
    So here's how I would do it:
        ENVELOPE:
            Rear Admiral William Smith, USN, Retired
                Director of the Executive Residence and Chief Usher
                    The White House
                        1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
                              Washington, DC 20500
                                    United States of America
        SALUTATION:
            Dear Admiral Smith:
    He will be pleased when he sees that you used his Naval rank as a courtesy.
           -- Robert Hickey

How to Identify a Retired Rear Admiral on a Document?
    I am writing a joint thank-you letter on behalf of two non-profit organizations in our community - the Women's Business Organization (WBO) - and the Historical Museum.  We recently partnered to do a fundraiser called "Dine Out Springfield", which raised money that allowed WBO to offer three additional scholarships this year and allowed the Museum to enhance their artifacts and community outreach.
      The WBO signatory is our current president.  The museum's signatory is a US Navy Rear Admiral who is retired.  What is the correct way for me to note his name and rank below his signature line?  Is it Rear Admiral Warren Thompson, USN, Retired or Warren Thompson, R. Adm. (retired) or something else??
          -- The President-Elect of  WBO

Dear T P-E of WBO:
    Note his name below his signature line in the same way one would address him most formally:
        Rear Admiral Warren Thompson, USN, Retired
    It might be a good idea to include his role under his name since he is not signing the document in any capacity related to his service as a rear admiral:
        Rear Admiral Warren Thompson, USN, Retired
        Representative for the Historical Museum
    I include all the forms of address for rear admirals on page 216 of my book.
    Some retired admirals might not use their rank in a post-retirement non-military position, but if you know that he's a retired admiral, his preference must be to be addressed by his rank.
          -- Robert Hickey

How Do I Address Retired Flag Officers?
Dear Robert:
What is the proper way to address retired flag officers? I have continued to address them as Admiral or General, especially those that I knew when I was in the service (Navy).
    --- Chip

Dear Chip:
    In conversation retired officers continue to be addressed with rank (or when their rank was a graded rank ... with their basic rank):
           General (name) or Admiral (name)
    Perhaps the only exception is when a retired officer takes a civilian job in retirement, and works with active duty personnel ... as happens in Washington, DC. ... e.g,, when a retired Air Force general takes a job at The Boeing Company selling airplanes to the Air Force.  Then he'll use Mr. (name) professionally. In the book Service Etiquette by Oretha D. Swartz (Naval Institute Press; Annapolis, MD; 1988) notes these restrictions are in connection with "commercial enterprises." 
          -- Robert Hickey

How to Use Military Rank & "Retired" On An Invitation
     Could you please assist with the proper wording of a wedding invitation for my son's wedding? My husband retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Marine Corps, and although the bride's parents are issuing the wedding invitation, our names will appear on the invitation.  The reason for this is that the private club at which my husband (not the bride's family) is a member requires that the name of the club member appear on social invitations.
     My question is whether designation as a "Retired" Marine Corps officer must be indicated on the wedding invitation?  The major problem is that my husband's name and title cover the entire length of the invitation, and there are no more spaces to include (Retired, USMC) on that line.  The bride's family has wondered if guests might assume that my husband is still on active duty.  Our stationer's research with Crane Paper Company (Crane's Blue Book of Stationery) states "When the bride's father is an officer and issues the wedding invitations with his wife, his military title precedes his name."
     The current wording goes something like this:

                                                                                    -- Annie G.

Dear Annie:
    What you've suggested looks good with some comments:
    1) Including the "USMC" and "Retired" would be important at an official event where active-duty officers and retired officers were attending in an official capacity.
    At this social occasion there won't be confusion whether the "Lt. Col." is there in an official capacity.
    2) There also a style of abbreviations used by the armed forces: DOD Abbreviations for Ranks and Ratings, These are service specific -- LTC for the Army, LtCol for the Marines, Lt Col for the Air Force. Capitalization, spaces, and lack of punctuation are as noted. These are always used at official armed forces occasions. Many military protocol officers use them as social events as well. Using them would be immediately understandable to service personnel, but might seem unusual to some civilians.
    3) What Crane means by "When the bride's father is an officer and issues the wedding invitation with his wife, his military title precedes his name" is that the most formal way to write the names would be for the "title" to immediately precede the name:
        Dr. John Edward Smith and Mrs. Smith
        Lieutenant Colonel Maurice Oliver Volentine Green and Mrs. Green

    The "Dr. and Mrs." and the "Lt. Col. and Mrs." are less formal forms.
    The "title immediately preceding the name" is more of an issue with very high officials such as
        The Honorable John Edward Smith and Mrs. Smith
        The Reverend John Edward Smith and Mrs. Smith

    In these case you want to avoid...
        The Honorable and Mrs. John Edward Smith.
        The Reverend and Mrs. John Edward Smith
                          -- Robert Hickey

How to Address a Retired Military Officer & Spouse?
Dear Mr. Hickey:
How do I address an envelope to a retired Lt. Col. in the Air Force and his wife?
             --- Living near the Base


Dear Living near the Base:
Use the forms I show under Joint Forms of Address, Members of the Armed Services on page 147.
    Formal forms for an "official" envelope would be:
            Lieutenant Colonel  Robert W. Thompson, USAF, Retired
                and Mrs. Thompson
                    Address
    Formal forms for a "social" envelope would be:
            Lieutenant Colonel  Robert W. Thompson
                and Mrs. Thompson
                    Address
    Or:
            Lt Col Robert W. Thompson
                and Mrs. Thompson
                   Address
1) Lt Col -- capitalized, spaced, and without periods as shown -- is the USAF-specific form of the abbreviation for a Lieutenant Colonel
2) 'Retired" would not be required for a social envelope. It would be on an official envelope. If you are addressing an invitation to a military event at which there will be active duty officers, you should use "...Thompson, USAF Retired" or "...Thompson, USAF Ret."
3) Spelling out the rank is always the most formal,  But in the armed services, they do use the service-specific abbreviations.
4) The most formal way to write an official person's name is to not break up the rank and the name ... hence Mrs. Thompson is on the next line -- not between his rank and his name.
5) The abbreviation with the periods is a "social form" which the military protocol officers do not like ... but if you look in "social etiquette books" .... you will see it.
    All that said about the 'rules' -- less formally you will certainly see on a holiday card addressed using the informal format of "Mr. and Mrs."
    Lt. Col. and Mrs. Robert W. Thompson
                              -- Robert Hickey

How to Address a Retired Officer Who Is A Professor?
Dear Mr. Hickey:
     Would you by any chance know the proper form of address for a USN Captain who is now a university professor with a PhD?  I read the note on your website regarding context (Captain when he's my commanding officer, Doctor when he's bandaging my foot, or something to that effect), but I wonder what would be suitable with an academic doctor, and in a more formal usage.  I've encountered "Captain Doctor [name]" once or twice on the Internet, but it seems a bit of a mouthful.
             --- P. L. Scott


Dear Mr. Scott:
    In the United States:
    1) We only use just one honorific at a time. So he would be "Captain (name)," "Dr. (name)," or "Professor (name)."
    2) If he's a retired Captain he probably prefers to be orally addressed as Captain (name).  In writing use Captain (full name), USN, Retired, Professor of Mathematics
    3) Military ranks are never used with academic degrees, so he'd never be "Captain (full name), PhD" . I cover this on page 99 in my book
    4) He's probably never "Dr. (name)."
     All this said, it's never inconsiderate to ask what he prefers! Ultimately it is his preference in which you are most interested.
           -- Robert Hickey

How to Address a Retired Officer Who is A Dean?
Hi Robert,
     How would I address an envelope to a captain retired from the US Navy, who now is the dean of a college?
             --- O.S.


Dear O.S.:
    It depends on what he likes to be called. If you find he likes to be addressed as "Captain (name)" at the college ... then address him (see page 217 in my book) as:
        Captain (full name), USN, Retired
            Dean of (name of school, college, etc.)
                (Name of College/University)
                    (Address)
    If you find he prefers to be addressed as "Dr. (name)" at the college ... then in writing I would address him as:
       (Full name), (Post-nominal abbreviation for his degree)
            Dean of (name of school, college, etc.)
                (Name of College/University)
                    (Address)
    "Dean (full name)" is a more informal form of address -- use it to address him orally. Call him "Dean (name)" in interactions with him as a dean. Both Captain (name) or (Name), (degrees) are more formal forms to use in writing.
    The final determination in every form of address is "what is the preference of the bearer" so in this case: What is the preference of this particular dean? In a conversation with a British protocol expert familiar with all the titles and honors you encounter in London, he said people are never offended if you acknowledge too many of their honors -- but may be if you acknowledge too few!
           -- Robert Hickey

Do You Use "Retired" on Certificates?
Dear Mr. Hickey:
    I will be requesting the White House to send a 50th Wedding Anniversary greeting to my parents.  My father (John W. Linton) served in the Navy for 25 years, and retired as a Captain after a decorated career (5 Distinguished Flying Crosses!) as an attack pilot in Vietnam and into the 1980's.  Is is appropriate for me to request that the Anniversary greetings from the White House be addressed to him using his retired designation?
        -- Jeanne Russell

Dear Ms. Russell:
    "USN Retired" is used with your fathter's name,
                Captain John W. Linton, USN Retired
    -- Robert Hickey

How to Address a Retired Officer Who Has a Doctorate?
     How does one, in written form, address a retired BGen (USAF) who has his PhD?  He goes by “Dr. Taylor” now that he is retired, but management also wants to acknowledge his service as well as his degree.
                BGen Henry Taylor, PhD, USAF (Ret)?
                BGen Henry Taylor, USAF (Ret), PhD?
                Dr. Henry Taylor, BGen, USAF (Ret)?
    Thank you,
         --- Bill Montgomery

Dear Mr. Montgomery:
    Three part answer:
    You say he 'goes by Dr. Taylor now. When retired officers represent private companies to the armed services ... they frequently skip using their rank when dealing with active-duty officers. So in spite of management's desire to bring his former rank into the picture, I'd get back to management that the best course is to follow his preference, but it would be appropriate introduce him as "May I introduce Dr. Henry Taylor. Dr. Taylor is a retired United States Air Force Brigadier General."
    Now on to the details:
      #1  There is an American tradition that we only give a person one title at time.
            **  If he prefers to be continued to be addressed as a Brigadier General
                  then use the form I have on Brigadier General
            **  if he prefers now to be addressed as a Doctor
                  use the form I have on Doctorate
    I say "American tradition" because the "British tradition" is to give a person EVERYTHING they would ever get ... so you see names like The Right Honourable Reverend Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Lord William Ramsey, MP, VC ....  But in the US we address a person with the one "honorific" or "courtesy title" that's appropriate to the situation .... who they are to us at the moment.
     #2 Regarding you use of abbreviations: "BGen" is the DOD service-specific abbreviation used by Marine Brigadier Generals.   The DOD service-specific abbreviation for USAF Brigadier Generals is "Brig Gen"
    #3 You see "Retired" noted many ways ... but use EITHER of the following ... to (Ret)
            Brig Gen Henry Taylor, USAF, Ret.
            Brig Gen Henry Taylor, USAF, Retired
    For future use of abbreviations, my books has all that. It answers your questions on page 94 (use of retired with retired officers) and page 97 (DOD USAF abbreviations). 
          -- Robert Hickey

How to Address a Retired USAF Captain?
        I was wondering if you could tell me what is the appropriate way to address a retired Air Force Captain when having an informal conversation.  I was not sure if Air Force captains hold their title after retirement.  Don't only Generals and Colonels continues to use their ranks?
        -- Adam Scott

Dear Mr. Scott:
     Anyone who retires from one of the services is entitled to continue to use of his or her rank as an honorific. This includes officers as well as enlisted personnel. Those who resign their commission do not continue to use their rank as an honorific. The Navy instruction directive: OPNAVINST 171O.7A, Social Usage and Protocol Handbook: A Guide for Personnel of the U.S. Navy outlines how to use ranks and ratings when addressing active duty and retired personnel ... without regard to the level of their rank or rating.
        -- Robert Hickey

How to Address a Retired Brigadier General?
       How do I write the name of a retired Brigadier General on a name badge? 
        -- Connie Upton

Dear Ms. Upton:
     Officers who retire with the graded ranks of General .... General, Lieutenant General, Major General, and Brigadier General continue to be addressed orally as General (surname).  If you are writing the name badges with  form of address others should call the retired officer in conversation ... then write:
        General (surname)
    But sometimes name badges are written less for just what to call someone and more as "ID badges" to promote networking at an event. I've seen them with complete name+the office+the organization too.  So if you are providing more information ... then write the form of his name normally used in writing (including the correct branch of service, of course):
        Brigadier General (full name), USA
        Brigadier General (full name), USAF
        Brigadier General (full name), USMC
                     -- Robert Hickey

How to Address a Retired Lt. Colonel, USA?
       I am compiling a list of shareholders for our bank, and one of our shareholders is a retired army Lieutenant Colonel.  I have read your suggestions for addressing letters, but how would he be listed in a list?  My initial thought would be to list it as a professional designation, such as D.D.S for a dentist.  So would it be proper to use John M. Smith, LTC USA, Ret.?
        -- Kathleen Granito, North Carolina

Dear Ms. Granito:
     Don't put the rank after his name. Correct forms (appears in my book on page 209) is civilian-style writing is:
        Lieutenant Colonel John M. Smith, USA, Retired
            Or  Lieutenant Colonel John M. Smith, USA, Ret.
    Using the US Army service-specific abbreviation (As opposed to the USAF or the USMC abbreviations) (I include these for all services on pages 94-98 in my book) for Lieutenant Colonel it would be:
        LTC John M. Smith, USA, Retired
            Or  LTC John M. Smith, USA, Ret.
    and in conversation (direct oral address) he is Colonel Smith
                     -- Robert Hickey

How to Address a Retired USNR JAGC?
    Robert, what are the rules for properly showing the name, etc, of a retired Commander of the Reserve of the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps; e.g.,
        Commander John J. Doe III, JAGC, USNR, Retired?
        CDR John J. DOE III, JAGC, USNR-Ret.?
    Many thanks --Joe

Dear Joe:
       One’s former command isn’t included in formal correspondence according to Navy style references. The recommended forms include:
        Commander John J. Doe III, USNR, Retired
            or
        CDR John J. Doe III, USNR, Retired
            or
        Commander John J. Doe III, USNR Ret.
            or
        CDR John J. Doe III, USNR Ret.
    1) Use of the service-specific abbreviations of rank is standard by the services, but outside the services civilians typically don't understand them,
    2) The sources I've seen don't use the hyphenated form "USNR-Ret.", Just writing "Retired" or "Ret." are preferred.
    3) If you want to note that the retired officer was JAGC ... I would include it orally in an introduction, or after the name when providing additional information.
                     -- Robert Hickey

Use of Rank by a Former (Not Retired) Officer?
    I want to honor my dad's military service (Naval Academy class of '67) on my wedding invitation, but he did not retire. He was a Lt. Commander. I assume it is NOT appropriate to list a former rank unless he retired as a Captain or above. Right? Thank you very much,
      -- A Blue-and-Gold Bride to Be

Dear Bride to Be:
      An interesting question and the answer is that one who doesn't retire doesn't continue to use the title. I checked with the Andria Post, Director of Protocol and Event Planning, Naval Sea Systems Command and here is her reply ....
     Since he did not "retire" (as an officer or an enlisted rating) he does continue to use the title. Basically, he served in an honorable fashion and perhaps served just his committed time (following graduation from that proud institution: the United States Naval Academy). 
      Perhaps she could submit an article to the local newspaper where she can reflect that she is "the daughter of John Paul Jones (a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Class of 1967) and Mary Jones of Springfield, Virginia."
     I would also be proud of the fact that my Dad was an academy graduate and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander, but the reference would be inappropriate on the invitation.
    Thank you Andria.
                     -- Robert Hickey

What Do I Write a Return Address with a Military Rank?    
   I have recently married a retired USN commander.  What is the proper way to have return mail address labels printed?  We would like to use them on our Christmas cards. Should it be ...
      Commander and Mrs. Franklin Harrow, USN, Ret.?
      Cmdr. and Mrs. Franklin Harrow?
                       -- Mary Ann Harrow

Dear Mrs. Harrow:
Socially ... you might want to use
    Commander and Mrs. Franklin Harrow
        (Address)
Nothing wrong with Cmdr. if you are pressed for space on a label.

FYI
1) The social books -- I edited the most recent version of the the Crane's Blue Book of Stationery -- give the "social" answer which is to spell out the rank:
        Commander and Mrs. Henry Anderson
    But some people want to use the USN's abbreviation for Commander:
        CDR and Mrs. Henry Anderson
2) Most formally one does not break up "CDR" from  "Henry Anderson"
    So these are not strictly the most formal:
        Commander and Mrs. Henry Anderson
        CDR and Mrs. Henry Anderson
    Ultra most formally it should read:
        Commander Henry Anderson and Mrs. Anderson
        CDR Henry Anderson and Mrs. Anderson
    But I think they'd be a bit stilted in this usage.
3) USN, Ret. after his name isn't required on social stationery like a holiday card ... IT IS used on official stationery. So if your husband were writing a letter to the newspaper's editor, and he wanted to be sure everyone knew he was not writing it as an active duty 'Commander" or if were being invited to a military function where there were "active duty" officers involved he'd be
        CDR Henry Anderson, USN Ret.
         -- Robert Hickey