Abbess,
    Christian Orthodox       
Abbot,
    Christian Orthodox        
Accountant        
Acting Official       
Adjutant General     
Admiral         
Admiral, Texas Navy   
Adventist Minister       
Alderman         
Archbishop, Catholic        
Archbishop,
   Christian Orthodox        
Archdeacon, Episcopal        
Archimandrite        
Architect
Archpriest        
Ambassador, Goodwill
Ambassador to the U.S.
   from a foreign country      
Ambassador of the U.S.        
American Indian Chief        
Assemblyman
   U.S., State / or           
   Assemblywoman            
Associate Justice,
   U.S. Supreme Court          
Associate Justice of a
   State Supreme Court
Astronaut      
Attorney         
Attorney General           
Attorney General,
       Assistant   
Attorney, U.S.         
Australian Officials    

Baron, Baroness           
British Officials,
   Royalty, Nobility     
Brother, Catholic         
Brother,
   Christian Orthodox          
Bishop, Catholic            
Bishop,
   Christian Orthodox         
Bishop, Episcopal        
Board Member     
Boy        
Brigadier General       
Business Cards      

Canadian Officials    
Candidate    
Captain,
   USA, USAF, USMC     
Cardinal             
Chairman
    Federal Reserve      
Chairwoman      
Chancellor      
Chaplain in the
    Armed Services        
Chaplain of Congress          
Chargé d’Affaires         
Chief Executive Officer 
Chief Judge          
Chief Justice,
      U.S. Supreme Court 
Chief Justice, of a State
      Supreme Court             
Chief of Police          
Chief of Staff     
Chief Operating
   Officer          
Child            
Chiropractor     
City Manager    
Clergy & Religious
    Officials     
Club Official          
Colonel, Kentucky      
Colonel, USA, USAF,
    or USMC     
Commandant       
Commissioner, Court     
Commissioner         
Commodore of a         
      Yacht Club         
Congressman, U.S.               
Congresswoman, U.S.   
Consul and or
   Consul General    
Consultant      
Corporate Executive         
Councilman
    Councilwoman      
Counselor (Diplomat)      
Countess     
County Officials       
Couples     
    U.S. Military
    U.S. Officials
    Private Citizens  
Curator        

Dalai Lama          
Deacon         
Dean, academic            
Dean, clergy            
Deceased Persons        
Degree, honorary      
Delegate, U.S., State            
Dentist             
Deputy Chief of Mission      
Deputy Marshal          
Designate, Elect,
    Pro Tempore      
Diplomats      
District Attorney           
Doctor, Chiropractor     
Doctor of Dentistry           
Doctor of Medicine              
Doctor, Military           
Doctor of
   Veterinary Medicine          
Doctor, Optometrist   
Doctor of Osteopathy            
Doctor, Other Disciplines     
Doctorate        
Doctorate, honorary      

Earl            
Elect, Designate
   Pro Tempore      
Emeritus/emerita      
Eminence     
Emperor    
Engineer    
Etiquette    
Excellency           

Family     
Fiancee      
Firefighter    
First, Second,
   Third, etc.        
First Lady, Spouse
   of the President of
   the United States 
First Lady, Member
    of Her   
    White House Staff      
First Lady, Spouse
   of a Governor
   or Lt. Gov.    
First Lieutenant   
Flag Protocol     
Former Officials    
Freeholder       

Gay Couple      
Geshe
General
    USA, USAF, USMC
Girl       
Goodwill Ambassador      
Governor General         
Governor, Lieutenant 
Governor, Lt., Spouse   
Governor, Tribal Council          
Governor, U.S. State       
Governor, Former    
Governor
    Spouse of     
Governor's Staff,
    Member of      
Governors, Board of 

High Commissioner    
Honorable, The          
Honorary Ambassador       
Honorary degrees
Honorary doctorate    
Honourable, The       

Indian Chief         
Inspector General    
Interim Official   
Introductions       
Invitations  
   Writing &  
   Addressing  
Invitations
    Military:
    Writing &
    Addressing

Judge, former     
Judge of US City or
        US Count     
Judge, US Federal            
Junior, Senior,
    I, II, III, etc.       
Justice, Associate
     Federal
     Supreme Court
Justice, Associate
     State
     Supreme Court

King     
Knight      

Late, The
   (deceased persons)        
Lawyer      
Lesbian Couple    
Lieutenant      
Lieutenant Colonel,     
   USA, USAF, USMC          
Lieutenant General,
   USA, USAF, USMC      
Lieutenant Governor         

Use of Rank with Their Name by Veterans
These are Former (Not Retired) Personnel
    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

   I am listing contributors in the credits of my documentary film on the history of our local USAF base. Some are retired officers. Others served in the USAF but then left the Air Force do to other things after a couple of years. Can I write all their names (Rank) (Name) (Abbreviation for their Branch of Service)?
      -- Filmer

Dear Bride to Be & Flimer:
      The answer is that one who doesn't retire doesn't continue to use the rank as part of their name. Use of rank as part of one's name is reserved for those who serve until retirement. I checked with the Andria Post, Director of Protocol and Event Planning, Naval Sea Systems Command and here is her reply ....
     When one leaves the service and resigns his/herrank, so he/she does not continue to use the rank as part of his name. He'she served in an honorable fashion and served his/her committed time. So on the invitation it would be:
               Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson
      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 use of the rank would be inappropriate on the invitation.
    In circumstances when you do want to note the service of an individual because it is pertinent to their participation at an event, list it in a way that is not a part of their name. E.g., At a Memorial Day ceremony or at a Independence Day event at which you are listing the veterans participating in the event's program:
               James Wilson (Captain, USAF)
    Fully retired individuals would be listed with the rank before their name:
               Colonel James Wilson, USAF, Retired
    -- Robert Hickey

Veterans Using Their Rank
        
I respectfully would like to offer my comment on what I perceive to be an incorrect statement regarding the use of military rank and title in the above posting.
        With all due respect, I would say that Ms. Andria Post at the Naval Sea Systems Command has erred.

        In fact, a veteran who has served honorably in a time of war may bear the title of the highest grade held during that war.  This right is conferred by Congress in law by 10 US Code 772 Section  (e) .  I have only included references to retired officers in (c) and those who served honorably during wartime (e), and omitted (a)(b)(d)(f) and further.


       CITE-10  USC  Sec. 772  01/03/2012 (112-90)  TITLE 10 - ARMED FORCES  Subtitle A - General Military Law   PART II - PERSONNEL  CHAPTER 45 - THE UNIFORM
     Sec. 772. When wearing by persons not on active duty authorized

     (c) A retired officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may bear the title and wear the uniform of his retired grade.

     (e) A person not on active duty who served honorably in time of war in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may bear the title, and, when authorized by regulations prescribed by the President, wear the uniform, of the highest grade held by him during that war.

        SOURCE (Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 35; Pub. L. 99-145, title XIII, Sec. 1301(a)(1), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 735; Pub. L. 101-189, div. A, title XVI, Sec. 1621(a)(1), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1602; Pub. L. 104-201, div. A, title V, Sec. 551(b), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2525.)

         In the scenario described by “Bride-To-Be” , her father,  a 1967 graduate of the US Naval Academy, would have, in fact, served during wartime (Vietnam War), and we may safely conclude did so honorably, as all service as a commissioned officer is deemed honorable unless such officer was sentenced to dismissal (very unlikely) by a court-martial.  Therefore, I would encourage Miss Bride-To-Be to refer to her father by the highest grade held by him during wartime.
        Additionally, there seem to be several more questions on this subject, and I believe that some protocol personnel are erring to the detriment of honorably discharged wartime veterans.  Retired personnel obviously have earned the right to refer to themselves as such, and are further bound by DOD regulations with regard to the manner in which they make such reference.  I wonder whether honorably discharged wartime veterans, not so bound by DOD regulations, may socially bear the title so long as they comport with applicable laws.
        -- D.A.B.

Dear DAB:
       Thanks so much for your note.
       Having worked on this topic for 25 years … here are my reactions:
       1) What jumps out at me is "when authorized by regulations prescribed by the President."
       I believe this applies to recall to active duty and a veteran assuming his/her former rank.  I am unaware of any regulation prescribed by the President at this time.
       2) The Armed Service definitions of "retired" and "veteran" are distinct.
       Retired personnel do not resign their ranks. They are never technically separated from their Service. Whereas, veterans do resign their rank and are separated from the service.
       3) As an observer of traditions, I note the pattern of limiting "address by rank to fully retired personnel" is typical in uniformed services.
       The tradition is also followed by the Canadian and Mexican armed services ... Maybe others too, but I know that those two limit use of rank to fully retired personnel.
       A retired police officer, one who had a full career, can continue to use his rank when retired, but someone who was a police officer for a time and then chose to move on to another job … cannot. 
       Same with firemen. 
       4) At the most recent Veterans Day Celebration in the US Senate, they read the names of those attending in two ways: retired personnel as (Rank)+(Name) and veterans as (Name), (Rank).
       I don't see this in anyway honoring anyone's service more or less, but it does reserve certain courtesies of rank to fully retired career (and medically retired) personnel.
       -- Robert Hickey

What DoD Directive Forbids Use of Ranks by Retired Personnel in Commercial Enterprises? 
Can a Retired Officer Use His/Her Rank at a Commercial Enterprise?
    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.
    JER, para. 2-304 concerns use of ranks
   "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 concerns use of uniforms or insignia
    Paragraph 7 lists criteria to determine whether the best interests of the Government and DoD are enhanced by use of DoD materials, uniforms and insignia by anyone other than the Government and DoD.  Any use of identifiably DoD material outside a a DoD environment is limited.
    DODI 1334.01 concerns wearing of uniforms:
    "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."
    Thank you, Ginny!
                 -- Robert Hickey

But My Employer Wants Me to Use My Rank...
       I have recently retired from the Air Force after 20 years of service and the company I am currently employed with would like me to include my retired rank and status in my signature block... something like:
                RICHARD L STANTON, USAF, MSgt, Ret.
       After looking though you blog, I am in full agreement with the statement from your Pentagon source that says if retirees are in a new job, then they should use a signature block that supports that job and should not their former military rank & retired.
       However there are other retirees working in the company who do use their retired status on business cards and email signature block.
        My question is ... Is there any firmer or more direct verbiage addressing the use of retire rank other than the above using the ambiguous "should," I do not really want to rock the boat at my new job, but I also don't want to be pressured into essentially "Pimping" out my retirement status for the corporation.
              -- Rich Stanton

Dear Rich,
       There is only the DoD guideline and at issue is how it's interpreted: ... 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.
       I observe armed services protocol officers interpreting the use of one's former rank in a post-retirement job as giving the appearance of seeking to gain some advantage over others based on one's pre-retirement rank or another's lack of military service.  If the new employer is solely interested in the vets experience, then the vet has the knowledge no matter how they are addressed. Right?
       A private-sector corporation has no long-term investment in maintaining the respect and prestige of active-duty ranks but perhaps there is a short-term benefit to their bottom line.
       This contrasts with the DoD which has a long-term investment in maintaining the value the respect and prestige of those in uniform.
       To me it's economics: can I leverage my former position to my future personal benefit?
      -- Robert Hickey

Who Can Use Their Rank/Rating When Retired?
        Can a retired Chief Sergeant Major [CSM] require others (both military and civilian) to address them as CSM (Name), Retired and not as Mr./Mrs. in a social interaction?
       -- SFC D.Y., USA

Dear SFC, D.Y. USA,
     USE OF RANK?
    The rules in DoD documents (e.g. JER, para. 2-304) state that a retired person can use their rank as long as the do as specified.
    There is no mention of any certain ranks being entitled to use their rank.
    REQUIRE OTHERS TO USE THEIR RANK?
    A person has the right to say their name is -- whatever they want to say their name is. So a person has the right to require others to address him or her as they prefer. (They may or may not be able to enforce their requirement, but that's another issue!)
    E.g., In business, some women prefer Mrs. (Name).  Others prefer Ms. (Name).  Though I have an opinion of use of those honorifics in the work place -- It's not really my right to ignore another person's preference as to how he or she is addressed. 
    So if a retired Chief wants to be addressed as Chief ... socially ... call him Chief.
        -- Robert Hickey

Dear C.M.,
      I see this as especially inappropriate -- since his lead photo shows him presenting himself in uniform in the pursuit of an unrelated professional endeavor.  See the image of his website below.
       DoD guidelines are designed to prohibit anyone receiving ... or appearing to seek to receive ... benefits, deference, or courtesies due to active-duty armed service personnel. The DoD regs limit any courtesies to those who serve with the power of the government behind their actions.  Protocol officers at the Pentagon interpret the reg's suggested use of one's rank in commercial enterprises to refer to charitable activities (on the board of a local hospital) and community events (selling Christmas trees for a service organization). It would not include any endeavor which can be construed to be employment.  They are clear that a retired officer or vet in the context of a post-service position is addressed as Mr./Ms./Dr./etc. (Surname).
      This is not to in any way devalue one's service. We do absolutely honor it.  In a biography, or on a resume, mention of one's service along with one's complete history is pertinent. But other than that, the continued use of one's rank as a retiree should be limited to personal and social use, or in official situations directly related to their service.
       Whether there is a DoD protocol police out there enforcing it, is another issue. Perhaps the opinion of his fellow retirees will be persuasive?
     See my posting on use of rank which notes the pertinent regs .
       -- Robert Hickey

May One Use a Photo of One Uniform?
     We have a client that is currently in the reserves and is making business cards. She is not stating a title at all but it wearing her uniform in the picture on her business card. Her husband informed her that she isn't allowed to do this but we were wondering, for this client and for future clients, what the rule was for wearing uniforms in photographs on business item such as business cards, flyers, yard signs, etc. Any help would be appreciated. A copy of the business card is attached with the contact information removed.
       -- A.M.M.

Dear A.M.M.,
    A Department of Defense regulation that's pertinent is DODI 1334.01.
    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.
    So, most conservatively, since this is a business card promoting a commercial enterprise -- I would say the DoD would not support the photo in this context.
       -- Robert Hickey

May I Use My Rank at My Civilian Job
If I Am Clear That I am a Reservist? 
        I am a Colonel in the USAR with 28 years of service.  I just returned from my 2nd tour of deployment in Iraq.  I am a veteran several times over.  Here is my question.  I recently went to work with an organization that our primary client base are the VA Hospitals.  I have gone back to reserve status for the time being.  Can I use my rank on my business cards and signature block, as long as I used USAR?
        I read your blog, but see two different views.
        You posted:  
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.
        That would seem to imply I can use my rank at a commercial enterprise if I am clear and do not discredit the DoD.
               -- BB

Dear BB:
        Forms of address are meant to inform all parties with whom they are interacting.
        I recently had a note from a Yale professor with a PhD in English who had been cited by the city of New Haven for misrepresentation for publicly advertising his private nutrition, yoga & wellness classes  .... as being taught by "Dr. Michael Anderson".
        He said everyone knew him and it was clear he wasn't an MD or had a doctorate in a health field.
        I see him presenting his name in a way where he might (rightly or wrongly) receive a undue credibility.
        Thus calling himself  "Dr. Anderson" was O.K at the university teaching English, but was not O.K. teaching nutrition .... since his degree was pertinent teaching English, but not nutrition.
        I see the clause you noted to be interpreted to prohibit the use of one's rank if there is a possibility one might receive any courtesy and privilege rightfully granted to the holder of a rank.
        To me it's the selling to a branch of the government that is the red flag.
        RE: 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.
        Using one's rank when selling to government would seem to be covered in the "sponsorship" or "endorsement" notations.
        I know that retired USAF officers who work for Boeing or Lockheed-Martin, selling services to the DoD, are forbidden to use their ranks in writing ... although I am sure their personal history comes up in conversation.
        Anyway ... that's the way I see it.
                -- Robert Hickey

Use of Reserve Rank as an Civilian DoD Employee?
       I’m a Navy Reserve Commander not on active duty, working as a civilian instructor at (one of the Armed Service Academies) and am a DoD employee. What is the permissible title to use on a signature block or in the classroom setting?
              -- John MacDonald

Dear John:
      You are instructor and do not hold that job because of your rank, right?
      Then you should use a signature block supported by the office you hold.  So, as a instructor use your academic credentials, such as:
                John MacDonald, MBA, MS
     In the classroom students would address you as a civilian, because that's what you are in the classroom.
     The DoD's position is there is no appropriate professional/official use of rank at a position in which you do not serve (are assigned to it by the US Government) as a person of rank. To the DoD it can be seen as an attempt to receive some courtesy due the rank in an office where there is no force or power of the US Government behind the person & the rank.
     You can of course mention your rank and Naval Reserve status in text, such as in your biography.
       -- Robert Hickey

Use of Rank with Their Name by Veterans
These are Former (Not Retired) Personnel
    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

   I am listing contributors in the credits of my documentary film on the history of our local USAF base. Some are retired officers. Others served in the USAF but then left the Air Force do to other things after a couple of years. Can I write all their names (Rank) (Name) (Abbreviation for their Branch of Service)?
      -- Filmer

Dear Bride to Be & Flimer:
      The answer is that one who doesn't retire doesn't continue to use the rank as part of their name. Use of rank as part of one's name is reserved for those who serve until retirement. I checked with the Andria Post, Director of Protocol and Event Planning, Naval Sea Systems Command and here is her reply ....
     When one leaves the service and resigns his/herrank, so he/she does not continue to use the rank as part of his name. He'she served in an honorable fashion and served his/her committed time. So on the invitation it would be:
               Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson
      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 use of the rank would be inappropriate on the invitation.
    In circumstances when you do want to note the service of an individual because it is pertinent to their participation at an event, list it in a way that is not a part of their name. E.g., At a Memorial Day ceremony or at a Independence Day event at which you are listing the veterans participating in the event's program:
               James Wilson (Captain, USAF)
    Fully retired individuals would be listed with the rank before their name:
               Colonel James Wilson, USAF, Retired
    -- Robert Hickey

Use of Rank by a Former (Not Retired) Enlisted Member?
      How do I address a prior-service Marine, taking into consideration that she has remarried since her honorable discharge. She was Sgt. Jane Doe, however her married name is Smith. Would she be address in a formal military setting as Sgt. Doe or Sgt. Smith?  To add to complications, She married Master Chief Petty Officer Keith Smith who is retired from the U.S. Coast Guard.
    -- CMSV

Dear CMSV,
    Those who are retired from the armed services are permitted to continue to use their rank socially.
    By Department of Defense guidelines those resigning their commission or being honorably discharged ... are not permitted to continue to use their ranks after their service ends.
    Since you say she was honorably discharged, she is now addressed as a civilian using her current name without rank: Ms. Jane Smith.  I used "Ms." rather than "Mrs." since "Ms." is the most typically used honorific for women today when their marital status is not pertinent.  But if for some reason she prefers "Mrs. Jane Smith" I would follow her preference.
    As to whether it matters if she is married to an armed services retiree, Department of Defense guidelines are also clear that being married to a member of an armed service does not allow any use of the spouse's rank. So in joint address she would be:
        Master Chief Petty Officer James Smith
            and Mrs. Smith.
    I cover all this in my book.
     -- Robert Hickey

May One Use A Rank as Veteran, If Not Retired?
       Is my son-in-law abusing the use of the title: SSGT, USMC, even if including Vet on return address labels such as this one:
               SSGT Todd S. Miles, USMC, VET
               124 Rivington Avenue
               Fairmont, AL 34567-8901
       He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps several years ago after serving two years state-side on active duty and then a couple of years stateside in the reserves at which time he "got out".  He claims once a Marine always a Marine and uses that as justification to use his former rank and service affiliation on correspondence ... such as in the return address on envelopes. He receives no income related to his military service since he "got out."
      I appreciate the fact that he served his country in the Marine Corps, but is this legal, appropriate and/or otherwise proper?  I don't desire that my daughter's friends and/or relatives to be laughing behind their backs if this form of address does not fit into at least one of those descriptions.
       -- Ben Packard

Dear Mr. Hickey,
       I am a former enlisted soldier who spent five years as infantry in the Army serving a combat tour in Afghanistan before finally getting out in 2008. I am currently attending school with plans of returning to the Army once I complete my degree. However, in the mean time there are occasions where I would like to use my military rank for letters of recommendations, etc. What would be the correct format for using my former rank with my name?
      -- C.H.

Dear Mr. Packard & C.H.,
       Use of one's former rank by non-retired military personnel is not a prescribed usage by the Department of Defense (DoD). Use of rank is reserved for career 20-year retirees -- with the intention that their use of the rank is for personal social use -- and is not for use subsequent civilian work-related situations.
       In a bio or in a resume the service to our nation would be included as part of one's experience -- it's just using the rank as part of one's name the DoD specifically prohibits.
       So the correct form of address in both cases is Mr. (Name).
        -- Robert Hickey

May One Use A Rank as Veteran for a Charity?
      I am a USMC veteran and am sending out Toys for Toys Awards to those who supported our campaign. On the bottom right, there is room for my signature, which I intend to just print out in a nice looking script font.
      I also intend to put my "Name" and "USMC" or "MCL" below my name as the coordinator of Toys for Tots. The Marine Corps League (MLC) administers the county's Toys for Tots program.
     I think including my USMC rank will increase my name recognition in our community. The questions I have are
     1. Do I put Vincent Corrado, SGT, USMC if I am no longer in the Marines?  I served my 4 years and received an honorable discharge.
     2. Or do I need to say Former?
     3. Or do I just stick with Vincent Corrado, MCL ?
      -- Vincent Corrado

Dear Mr. Corrado:
      Identify yourself by the capacity you are in sending out the letters -- with your Name + your affiliation with the MCL (Marine Corp League) -- coordinator of the charity.
     If you want to mention you are a USMC veteran, the right place to do it would be in the text of the letter.
     Use of a rank in the form you suggest is reserved to fully retired personnel and is limited to social use.
      -- Robert Hickey

How to Write My Retired Rank
in an E-mail Signature Block?
     Robert, I was recently trying to confirm how to cite my retired military rank in a signature block being used in correspondence. Can you please clear up my confusion.

     Tom Reardon

     Chief Warrant Officer 3

     Retired, USA

Dear Tom,

     DOD style manuals deal with official correspondence for active duty personnel ... so there are guidelines.  For example in AFH 33-119 states: At a minimum, official signature blocks should include name, rank, position and organization, but often include telephone numbers (both commercial and DSN) and addresses (both commercial and e-mail).
     Even though it says including e-mail address the one's I see often don't include an e-mail address since you have an e-mail from the person and the e-mail is included elsewhere. But that said, based on the forms I see, here's the formula:
        1) The NAME IS CAPITALIZED, followed by rank, then service on the first line. 
        2) The duty title is on the second line.  
        3) Other information such as in address, phone, cell, classified e-mail address, etc. Many people include a full mailing address as that would typically appear on official letterhead.
     So a formula would be:
              NAME, Rank, Branch of Service
              Duty line / Name of office
              Mailing Address
             Phone Number(s)
   Which look like this:
             DEBORAH LASSITER, Lt Col, USAF
             Title of Position
            Name of Office
            Pentagon, Room, Washington, D.C.  Zip Code
            Phone: 703-222-3333
            Cell: 123-345-6789
                      or
            TIMOTHY W. THOMPSON, LTC, USA
            Title of Position
            Name of Office
             Address, Washington, D.C.  Zip Code
             Phone: 703-222-3333
     So based on that a retired address block might look like:
            DANIEL C. WALLACE, MSgt. USAF, Ret.
            Mailing Address
            Phone: 703-222-3333

    Be sure to read the next note about when and where it's correct to use your rank when retired .

                                    -- Robert Hickey

May I Use My Rank At Work My Retirement Job?

      How do I write include my rank in a post-retirement signature block at my new job? Should I would include that I am retired after my name: Captain Robert W. Thompson, USN, Retired ?
      -- Bob Thompson


      I am a retired active duty senior NCO working at hanger as government contractor with National Guard personal. They work in uniform, I don't.  How should we address each other?
      -- Todd Neilson


Dear Bob &  Todd,

     According to Protocol Officers at the Pentagon (my contact in in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force) ... here's their view on use of rank at a new employer: If retirees are in a new job, then they should use a signature block that supports that job and should not be using military rank and retired – it is a misrepresentation. They are an employee of the new employer and representing the new employer in their new official position – not the military. We run into this a lot when retired officers who attend Pentagon events and they are coming in their new “contractor” status not as a private/retired status. We don’t address them with their retired rank on invitations or tent cards etc., but as Mr/Ms (name) + their new company affiliation.
      In commerce, forms of address should reflect the role you are performing: Those present because they are on active duty are Rank (Name); Those present, because they are working in a civilian role, are Mr./Ms. (Name).
   -- Robert Hickey