Robert Hickey's Blog on
Names, Titles & Forms of Address
Invitations, Introductions, Precedence, Flags, etc.

Answers to Questions From On-Line Users (like you)

Got A Question?   Something You Are Looking For?
    If you have a question on how to address a particular office more than 140 offices are listed in the On-Line Guide To Forms Of Address,
   You can also browse all the previously asked questions They are saved by category , with a list of those categories at the bottom of this page. I've answered hundreds of questions, so your question may be covered there.
   The six most recent questions are also on this page -- with the most recent Q&A just below.
   If all that fails ... then send me an e-mail and I will reply. I most always get back within 24 hours. If I think your question would be of interest to others, I will post it with any personal specifics removed.       -- Robert Hickey

I answer every question I get. I just ask you let me know you got my reply. Here are the six most recent questions.
After they've been here, I move them to a page on this site with other questions on the same topic.
A list of those topics appears at the bottom of this page.

How to use Academic Post Nominals with Esq.?
      I cannot find a reliable source that addresses the use of Esq. along with academic credentials.
      I received a JD/MBA in 2004 and I am licensed to practice in both Georgia and Florida. As most attorneys admitted to practice in my jurisdictions do not have graduate business credentials, I think there is a competitive advantage if my clients and prospective clients know that I have and MBA in addition to my law licenses. What is the proper way for me to include these post nominals on my business cards, letterhead and email signature block?
              -- Gordon L. Pendleton, Atlanta, Georgia

Dear CAM:
         I think there is no mention of it for the following reason:
        JD and MBA are academic post-nominal abbreviations. There are rules for the ordering of post nominals and their use after names.
        Esq. is a courtesy title ... so it has more in common with other courtesy titles as The Honorable or The Reverend.  The rule with courtesy titles is ... while an elected official such as United States Senator may have a JD or an MBA ... academic degrees are not used with courtesy titles. So it always:
        The Honorable Saxby Chambliss
            And it is never
        The Honorable Saxby Chambliss, Esq
            or
        The Honorable Saxby Chambliss, JD
    Most attorneys in the US in practice use Esq. Those in academia are more likely to use JD.
    Would you consider the more academic approach?
        Gordon L. Pendleton, JD, MBA
    I include a chapter on courtesy titles and post-nominal abbreviations in my book.
               -- Robert Hickey

      Many many thanks for your prompt response and sage guidance. I will definitely add your book to my library.
              -- Gordon L. Pendleton, Atlanta, Georgia

Do I Use Periods with Abbreviated Military Ranks?
      We are a non-profit that has a lot of retired military officers on our board, as well as donors to our organization.
      Should I use  a period (.) in my abbreviations for the ranks or not? I’ve seen it done both ways, and I just want to make sure I have it correct. Thank you so much.
              -- CAM, Director of Development,  McLean VA

Dear CAM:
    The service-specific abbreviations used by the armed services for ranks and ratings are always written without periods and are upper and lower case specific:
        USAF Captain       Capt
        USN  Captain        CAPT
        USA Captain         CPT
    FYI, your question is answered in my book on pages 91-98. I include all those abbreviations.
               -- Robert Hickey

      Thanks for your response! My predecessor didn’t know anything about the military so, in many instances, she left off rank, branch of service, etc., or used a mish-mash of one or the other. I’ve been spending a good chunk of my time in the past few months just cleaning up the database.
              -- CAM, Director of Development,  McLean VA

How to Write The Name of a Retired USAF MSgt?
    I have a question regarding retired enlisted personnel. I am deployed and am having a flag flown for my father who is a retired MSgt from the USAF and I was wondering how I should have his name written on the certificate. I wanted to include his name and rank but didn’t know the best way to do that.
              -- Maj Stephanie Stewart, 668 EMDG Pharmacy

Dear Maj Stewart:
    Sounds to me your father is going to be very pleased.
    DOD style guides, which I have followed in my book suggest two styles for an official name for those who are fully retired  .. not those who leave after their time is up, or resign their commission. For retired personnel it is;
    MSgt Stephen Stewart, USAF, Ret.
        or
    MSgt Stephen Stewart, USAF, Retired
               -- Robert Hickey

Names, Names, Names: Finding a New Life in America
No Longer Means a New Name -- The New York Times
      I am interested in names, and the more I get around the more I-never-heard-that-name-before names I encounter.
      It seems few parents are interested in reusing the familiar-to-me John, Bill, Ann, or Mary ... names that are easy for me to remember!  My father's voice rings in my ears when he encountered unfamiliar given names ... he would say "that can't be a name for a person ... it's not in the Bible!"  Somehow I got named Robert and there's no Robert in the bible as far as I know!
      But anyway .... here is a fantastic article in the Thursday, August 26, 2010, The New York Times which presents some really insightful views of the sociological changes the recent history that are behind not just the trends in naming but about the reduced social pressure to conform.  Sam Roberts in his story suggest immigrants don't feel they have to be named more American to be an American. "... think of the Kardashian sisters or Renee Zellweger, for instance, who decades ago might have been encouraged to Anglicize their names ... changing a name is not as effective for Asians and Latin Americans who, arguably, may be more easily identified by physical characteristics than some Europeans were in the 19th and early 20th century."
               -- Robert Hickey

How to Carry-On With Courtesy?
      I want to draw your attention to a "On The Road" column in the Tuesday, August 24, 2010, in The New York Times with the premise that carry-on luggage and courtesy need to co-exist. It quotes my personal supreme leader -- Pamela Eyring, Director of The Protocol School of Washington®.
      In a column by Joe Sharkey, she offers some advice on what's really happening when we are seething "at other passengers 'stumbling down the aisle dragging their whole lives along'."  Of course Pamela notes that the flight attendants are asked to the almost impossible with difficult passengers while ensuring the safety of everyone else.
               -- Robert Hickey

How to Write Place Cards for a Rabbi & His Dr. Wife?
       How do I write the names of a Rabbi and his Dr. wife on place cards?   The names are Rabbi David and Dr. Sarah Schmidt.
              -- Tonya Krell

Dear Ms. Krell:
     A most formal social place card ... one that is intended just to identify for the guest where he or she is to sit ... you write what you would call the guest in formal direct address:
        Ms. Krell
        Mr. Hickey
        Rabbi Schmidt
        Dr. Schmidt
    At business events a place card often becomes an ID Placard or Tent Card ... with the guest's name front & back ... for everyone at the table to be able to see the guest's name. In these situations you write the form of their name that will be the most useful to facilitate networking:
        Rabbi David Schmidt
             or
        Rabbi David Schmidt
        Beth Israel Congregation
             or even ....
        Rabbi David Schmidt
        Beth Israel Congregation
        Henderson, Nevada
    It's no longer the by-the-book Emily Post Ultra-Formal Place Card ... but certainly is useful!
    FYI, your question is answered in my book in Chapter Six: Name Badges & Place Cards.  
               -- Robert Hickey

How to Write a University President's Name?
       I need to list the board of advisers for a new literary journal. I have reviewed your online guide, which is very helpful, but still have a question. Should I use President as an honorific for the university president?   Thank you for your solicitude and assistance!
              -- Brian H.

Dear BH:
     I include all the forms of address for academics in my book, and traditionally President is an organizational office ... and the holder is addressed however he or she is normally addressed in writing ... Mr./Ms./Mrs./Dr., etc. ... and then, after their name noted to be president of ...
    So traditionally university presidents would typically be ... most formally in writing:
         Dr. (Full Name), President of The University of (Whatever)
    However ... in recent years president is more and more frequently being used as an honorific.  So the wisest path would be to call his office and ask what is their practice.  
               -- Robert Hickey

How to Present Post Nominals Typographically?
       I tend to use a smaller font for the post-nominal letters than I use for my name.
            John Smith, MBA
       Is this O.K.? Or do they need to be the same size?
              -- Sebastian V. CPP

Dear SV:
    I have seen post-nominals set in a smaller type size or in small caps .... for example on a business card... I would say it is a typographic style used a graphic designer .... and is more decorative than meaningful.
    Formally, post-nominal abbreviations are part of the complete name and should be treated the same as the rest name. Like the honorific ... Mr./Dr./Captain ... or a courtesy title ... The Honorable/The Reverend ... the post-nominal abbreviations are part of complete name.
    So when writing your name on a letter, or including someone else's post nominals on correspondence, keep them the same size as the name.  
              -- Robert Hickey

How to Address an American 'British Knight'?
      On the rare occasion that one receives a foreign honor (as in the case with Rudy Giuliani) can he put the OBE as a post nominal?
              -- Sebastian V.

Dear SV:
    Knighthoods granted to Americans (non-subjects) are honorary and are not used as part of their name.
    Hence Mr. Giuliani would not formally include his knighthood's post nominals with his name .... and is not addressed as Sir Rudy.  He could of course mention in his bio, or someone else could mention it in an introduction. It's a great honor!
    However Elton John and Paul McCartney .... who are subjects .... are Sir Elton and Sir Paul and would use their post nominals.
              -- Robert Hickey

How to Address An Invitation's Outside Envelope
To a Member of the Armed Service?
     I stumbled across your website and am in desperate need of the proper way to address the attendants for our wedding ceremony. Although it is military inspired, and the groom will be in uniform (he's a 2nd Lieut in the army), it will not be officially conducted by the military. However, since I have included the groom's rank (lieutenant) in the invitation itself, I think it would only be proper to address the envelopes with the proper rank of those invited. There will only be the outer envelope to address.
    The first person is a 1st lieutenant in the army. It will be addressed to
                 _____ Will (last name) and Guest, (street, etc)
    Another attendant is a staff sergeant in the army.  It will be addressed to
                 ____ Jose (last name) and Guest, (street, etc)
    I read somewhere that there is a difference between the addressing of officers, NCOs, and enlisted. I am very confused b/c I have read also that whether you are a 1st Lieut. or 2nd Lieut, you just simply use Lieutenant.  Please help me know how to write the mailing address for these ranks! I'm not finding very consistent information!
    Thank you and very grateful,
              -- Brittany

Dear Brittany:
    I cover every every U.S. Armed Service rank and rating in detail in my book. Use (Full Rank) or (Full Rating) on the outside, mailing envelope. All personnel follow the same formula:
    (Full Rating or Rank) (Full Name)
            First Lieutenant William French
            123 Alphabet Court
            City, State, ZIP
            Chief Warrant Officer Joseph German
            456 Alphabet Court
            City, State, ZIP
            Staff Sergeant Thomas English
            789 Alphabet Court
            City, State, ZIP
              -- Robert Hickey

    Thank you very much for your quick response! I will definitely recommend your book. You have been a big stress reliever!
              -- Brittany

How to Address a Reservist?
     I am addressing a letter to a Reservist.  For his address block, would it be: Brigadier General John Smith, USAR Ret. ?
    With salutation Dear General Smith ?
    Thanks.
              -- Jamie

Dear Jamie:
    This very question is answered on page 207 of my book.
    Department of Defense guidelines give two ways to address a letter to a retired officer ... one for 'official" and one for "social" correspondence.
    1) If it is an official letter to him as a Retired General ... e.g., you are inviting him to attend a civic ceremony in uniform ... then the address block should be:
        Brigadier General John Smith, USAR, Ret.
    2) If it's social letter to him as a person ... and not in relation to his rank ... but on an issue where his rank is not pertinent .... then the address block should be:
        Brigadier General John Smith
    3) In both instances the salutation should be:
        Dear General Smith:
              -- Robert Hickey

How to Address a Consul General?
     How does one address the Consul-General (Consul-General of India - Durban, South Africa), when greeting him or acknowledging him in the audience?
              -- GC in South Africa

Dear GC:
    I include all the forms of Consuls and Consul Generals in my chapter on Diplomats and International Officials. Consul Generals are simply Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr.  .... whatever honorific they are entitled to personally.
    They are not The Honourable or Your Excellency .... (unless they are entitled to in in some other way due to personal, prior service.)
    So if you introduce him from the podium, you could say something as simple as ....
        Tonight we welcome our special guest, William Smith, The Consul General of India here in Durban
        Tonight we welcome our special guest, Mr. William Smith, The Consul General of India ...
        Tonight we welcome our special guest, The Consul General of India, Mr. Smith
              -- Robert Hickey

How to Address an Naval Officers?
     Barry C. Black, Rear Admiral ( RET), Chaplain of U.S. Senate will be the speaker at a local event.  How do I properly write the names of other local active and retired naval officials on invitations to attend the event?  Thanks.
              -- ICW

Dear ICW:
    I have a chapter in my book just on forms of address for the US Armed Services. There are two forms of address in Department of Defense Style Manuals suggested for writing the name of armed service personnel ... a social form ... and an official form.
    I am going to assume you will use official forms. Assuming you are mailing invitations in envelopes, then ...
    Active Duty -- official form:
        (Rank) (Full name), (Abbreviation for branch of service)
        Rear Admiral James Wilson, USN
    Retired -- official form:
        (Rank) (Full name), (Abbreviation for branch of service), Retired
        Rear Admiral Barry Black, USN, Retired
            or
        (Rank) (Full name), (Abbreviation for branch of service), Ret.
        Rear Admiral Barry Black, USN, Ret.
    I actually have many posting on how to address officers .... check out
         Active Duty   http://www.formsofaddress.info/USA.html
         Retired  http://www.formsofaddress.info/USA_Retired.html
              -- Robert Hickey

And finally, from a rather challenging internet surfer:
 
What Authority Do You Have?
Dear Mr. Hickey:
What authority do you have for your answers?
         --- Mary Louise Timmons

Dear Ms. Timmons:
    I'm not sure "what authority I have" but I've been teaching at The Protocol School of Washington® since 1988.
    After answering questions on forms of address for so long I guess I've gotten good at it!  What I've learned I've put in my book -- which I am pleased to say is used at lots of serious places: See http://www.formsofaddress.info/Collections.html. 
          -- Robert Hickey

USE OF NAMES & HONORIFICS   
Mr., Miss, Jr., III, & Names        
Married Women       
Deceased Persons         
People with Two Titles
Post-Nominal Abbreviations and Initials           
Joint Forms of Address    (How do you write two names?)   

USE OF SPECIFIC OFFICIAL TITLES        
Former Officials            
Professionals and Academics        
United States Federal Officials             
United States State Officials              
United States Municipal Officials             
       All About The Honorable with U.S. Officials         
       Former United States Officials            
United States Armed Services             
       Retired U.S. Armed Service Officers
Tribal Officials             
Clergy and Religious Officials           
Canadian Officials         
Australian Officials          
British Officials, Royalty, and Nobility        
Diplomats and International Representatives            
Foreign National Officials and Nobility        

SPECIFIC SITUATIONS
Etiquette             
Flags: Traditions and Protocol             
Introductions            
Invitations: Writing & Addressing         
Invitations: Just Armed Service Personnel        
Names on Programs, Signs, & on Lists           
Place Cards            
Precedence: Ordering Officials           
Thank You Notes