Posted on Jan 14, 2015
Is it ok for veterans to use their old rank, if others address them by it?
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Good evening. I have a general etiquette question that caught me off guard earlier today.
I am separated from the Army. Not retired. So I can't be SGT So and So (ret.)
That is ok. So I still have to write the Army people from time to time. I wrote the education section regarding the college transfer of education benefits. I signed the message with my first name. The person helping me knew I was no longer with the Army. We have an email exchange. After she looks at my record and the addressing starts to be "SGT So and So".
At this point I am wondering if I should correct her, accept it, start signing "SGT So and So". I continued to sign with my first name. Friends, what are your thoughts? What do you do when people want to address you by a former rank?
I am separated from the Army. Not retired. So I can't be SGT So and So (ret.)
That is ok. So I still have to write the Army people from time to time. I wrote the education section regarding the college transfer of education benefits. I signed the message with my first name. The person helping me knew I was no longer with the Army. We have an email exchange. After she looks at my record and the addressing starts to be "SGT So and So".
At this point I am wondering if I should correct her, accept it, start signing "SGT So and So". I continued to sign with my first name. Friends, what are your thoughts? What do you do when people want to address you by a former rank?
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 20
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I definitely agree with everyone who has posted on here. Once rank is earned it is yours. That being said I have a little story to tell.
After I retired in 2013 I went back to School full time. As I was meeting with my first adviser who was a PhD in English and Co dean of the Department of Education at the school. While sitting with her she was looking at my name and asked what I like to be called. I answer with the standard Rob, as it is my first name, but half jokingly i also chimed in, "You can call me Master Sergeant, or Sergeant if you like." She quickly chimed in "I am not calling you that." I honestly blew it off as a half joke. I turned around and asked her what she like to be called, "Professor? Mrs? First name? Dr?" Her immediate response was, " Dr. It is what I earned."
Now the irony of that statement hit me then, but honestly I just dropped it because I was quite new at the University and did not want to start conflict with my array of new professors, who some were younger then me including my adviser.
But; How was my title of Master Sergeant any different from her Dr.? What elevated hers above mine? I earned my title, and worn it with distinction till I retired in 2013. My achievement was documented like hers and was earned though countless hours of hard work, study, blood, sweat and tears.
The answer I have come up with is.. It is not different. Our titles we earn in the military are just as important as any title earned in the Civilian world. If you wish to use your title outside the military, a title you earned, then you have every right to. No one should tell you otherwise. And to this date, if I send any type of email correspondence to my professors. I do use the title block of Master Sergeant, USAF Retired. And I use it with pride.
After I retired in 2013 I went back to School full time. As I was meeting with my first adviser who was a PhD in English and Co dean of the Department of Education at the school. While sitting with her she was looking at my name and asked what I like to be called. I answer with the standard Rob, as it is my first name, but half jokingly i also chimed in, "You can call me Master Sergeant, or Sergeant if you like." She quickly chimed in "I am not calling you that." I honestly blew it off as a half joke. I turned around and asked her what she like to be called, "Professor? Mrs? First name? Dr?" Her immediate response was, " Dr. It is what I earned."
Now the irony of that statement hit me then, but honestly I just dropped it because I was quite new at the University and did not want to start conflict with my array of new professors, who some were younger then me including my adviser.
But; How was my title of Master Sergeant any different from her Dr.? What elevated hers above mine? I earned my title, and worn it with distinction till I retired in 2013. My achievement was documented like hers and was earned though countless hours of hard work, study, blood, sweat and tears.
The answer I have come up with is.. It is not different. Our titles we earn in the military are just as important as any title earned in the Civilian world. If you wish to use your title outside the military, a title you earned, then you have every right to. No one should tell you otherwise. And to this date, if I send any type of email correspondence to my professors. I do use the title block of Master Sergeant, USAF Retired. And I use it with pride.
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1SG (Join to see)
Well said MSgt Robert Pellam ; With me being who I am, I would have had to call her out on her, "Dr. It is what I earned." And explained how I (WE) had earned mine and path, travels, deployments, conflicts, etc, I (we all) had to endure to "earn" ours..and oh by the way, some died along the way; some damn good ones too.
Hippocritical Educators do strike a nerve with me and I have a tendancy to let them know it in the past. Some suprisingly took it well and some acted as if I had hit the head with a brick! But once the verbal interaction had passed, their displayed attitude in my presense was much better, though in their minds and opinions, no change, and in fact they probably had a stronger negative personal opinion then before I confronted them. On one particular ocassion I was comforted more so by the comments from many in the class I was in who said Thank you and nicely done then verbal interaction with our PHD "Doctor" who didn't know what to perscribe for a headache and I said, "For some, just pulling your head out of ass would be a start!"
Personally, you'll get more respect from me for your MSgt rank (and anyother rank) ahead of that PHD or Doctor title. But that's just me!
Hippocritical Educators do strike a nerve with me and I have a tendancy to let them know it in the past. Some suprisingly took it well and some acted as if I had hit the head with a brick! But once the verbal interaction had passed, their displayed attitude in my presense was much better, though in their minds and opinions, no change, and in fact they probably had a stronger negative personal opinion then before I confronted them. On one particular ocassion I was comforted more so by the comments from many in the class I was in who said Thank you and nicely done then verbal interaction with our PHD "Doctor" who didn't know what to perscribe for a headache and I said, "For some, just pulling your head out of ass would be a start!"
Personally, you'll get more respect from me for your MSgt rank (and anyother rank) ahead of that PHD or Doctor title. But that's just me!
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
I am pretty sure it took you just as long or longer to EARN MSgt as it did for her to EARN Dr.
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Michael Morton
Pursuant to the authorities of Federal Statute, i.e., 10 U.S. Code § 772(e), all United States Military War Veterans who served "Honorably" (whether they are dead or alive) are not only entitled to wear their uniform when authorized (by the President), but, beyond that, they are entitled to bear the "Title Of Their Highest Rank" (Regulatory Authorization not required In Re: Title/Rank), whether they are dressed in uniform, or, not.
Further, a retired officer (commissioned or non-commissioned) of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may bear the title and wear the uniform of his retired grade.
I have pasted a copy of that particular Federal Statute herein below:
***********************************************
10 U.S. Code § 772 - When wearing by persons not on active duty authorized
a)
A member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard may wear the uniform prescribed for the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, as the case may be.
(b)
A member of the Naval Militia may wear the uniform prescribed for the Naval Militia.
(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.
(d)
A person who is discharged honorably or under honorable conditions from the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may wear his uniform while going from the place of discharge to his home, within three months after his discharge.
(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.
***********************************************
Further, a retired officer (commissioned or non-commissioned) of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may bear the title and wear the uniform of his retired grade.
I have pasted a copy of that particular Federal Statute herein below:
***********************************************
10 U.S. Code § 772 - When wearing by persons not on active duty authorized
a)
A member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard may wear the uniform prescribed for the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, as the case may be.
(b)
A member of the Naval Militia may wear the uniform prescribed for the Naval Militia.
(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.
(d)
A person who is discharged honorably or under honorable conditions from the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may wear his uniform while going from the place of discharge to his home, within three months after his discharge.
(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.
***********************************************
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I think just letting it be is ok. I believe she is doing it out of respect. Becoming a SGT is an honor so calling you that is a respectful thing.
I would just move on and use your first and last name as a civilian would.
I would just move on and use your first and last name as a civilian would.
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SMSgt Ottis West
I love being Ottis again however, when I am around my former peers or old troops they still refer to me by rank I smile respond in king and keep it moving. Definitely a show of respect spot on Maj.
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Rank once earned should be yours forever. Only a Art15, court martial or rank determination board can take it away.
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