Why does RP keep your military rank in your profile and name once you are either a Veteran?

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Sun, 31 May 2015 11:50:21 -0400

I am not sure if this has been answered ( I did look), but I am curious as to why we (once we are a Veteran or Retired) still have the rank title in our names? I will be officially a disabled veteran on 11 June, and on 12 Jun, my title will no longer be SPC (P) Jay Heenan. I will just be Jay Heenan. I ask this, because often I notice that individuals that referred to as their rank even if they are no longer active, reserve or guard. I am not complaining, I am just curious that is all.

***EDITED on 31 MAY at 1938 hrs***

I owe each one of you an apology. I completely get why RP attaches our rank with our name as a Veteran (and retiree). I was reading all of the comments and I dawned on me that my issue was my own. I was angry at the things that happened to my while in the service that prevented me from being promoted. So I apologize for directing my anger at a place it had no business being. I am sorry and God Bless.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 12:26 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 May 2015 12:26:25 -0400

A veteran and retiree may still be referred to by his latest rank in uniform in formal occasions.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made May 31 at 2015 12:29 PM

PFC Tuan Trang — Sun, 31 May 2015 12:29:18 -0400

I guess is a tradition, Like i always say, once a soldier always a soldier, you ranks and title will go with you.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made May 31 at 2015 12:31 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 31 May 2015 12:31:17 -0400

SPC(P) Jay Heenan, I'm not sure about veterans, but retirees are allowed and authorized by regulation to use their titles in retirement. I've never had the occasion nor desire to use it, but if I wished to, I could.

Response by LTC John Shaw made May 31 at 2015 12:34 PM

LTC John Shaw — Sun, 31 May 2015 12:34:57 -0400

Military tradition seems to be the primary reason, perhaps someone from RP can officially address the question.

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made May 31 at 2015 12:44 PM

LTC Hillary Luton — Sun, 31 May 2015 12:44:42 -0400

I am not an authority on this subject, but my best guess would be because RP is a military forum. As such, it is simply respectful to recognize an individual's last rank upon retirement or separation from service. Possibly RP is trying to keep the military aspect of the forum which includes rank. Do I feel a little weird when someone addresses me as Ma'am now that I'm retired? Yes, I do, but I just let go. I also feel a little weird when a soldier salutes me as I come through the gate even though I'm showing them a retired ID card. It doesn't happen every time and I have to be honest, I don't know what the rules are on that, but I just politely salute back and drive on . If they don't salute, I don't say anything.

Response by SSgt Charles Edwards made May 31 at 2015 1:05 PM

SSgt Charles Edwards — Sun, 31 May 2015 13:05:14 -0400

I've been out over four years and some of my former troops still refer to me as Sarge.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made May 31 at 2015 1:20 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sun, 31 May 2015 13:20:59 -0400

Respect/Tradition

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 31 at 2015 2:05 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Sun, 31 May 2015 14:05:30 -0400

Well for retired folks (both officer and enlisted), they still ARE that rank, only they have been moved to the retired rolls. For officers in particular, commissions are for life unless you resign it or have it stripped due to UCMJ actions. Retired officers can still exercise some authorities granted by commissions even after retirement (most notably the ability to administer oaths).

Response by SGT Richard H. made May 31 at 2015 2:08 PM

SGT Richard H. — Sun, 31 May 2015 14:08:10 -0400

It's a professional Military network. It only makes sense to state our Military experience level. That said, it also makes sense that we take into account other before and after experience and education when gauging the validity of each others comments as well.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 31 at 2015 2:30 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 31 May 2015 14:30:40 -0400

Today, I am a PFC (Dear Lord, are there any who require an explanation?).

In the Army I rose to the rank of Captain and must admit that I feel a flush of pride when reminded of it, as when an operator at USAA refers to me as "Captain" when I call about my insurance or bank accounts.

I would like to have remained on active duty longer and risen even higher, but I was a terrible officer. Sure I did my duty honorably and gained something of a reputation for getting things done (especially odd ball assignments). But I also had a reputation for stepping on toes to get things done. But my rank is a sign that I didn't do the minimum even if I wasn't what you'd call "RA" and definitely not "STRAC".

Still, I was a Captain and "Captain Jack" isn't a bad nickname to have these days...

PS: Of course none of this has anything to do with the reasons that RP maintains the rank of forum members. For that, I don't have a clue

Response by Sgt Den OBrien made May 31 at 2015 2:33 PM

Sgt Den OBrien — Sun, 31 May 2015 14:33:22 -0400

Everyone reverts back to a PFC at that time. (Proud feckin civilian)

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made May 31 at 2015 3:52 PM

SGT Frank Leonardo — Sun, 31 May 2015 15:52:31 -0400

Well then you would know the last rank held by that soldier

Response by PO1 John Meyer, CPC made May 31 at 2015 4:43 PM

PO1 John Meyer, CPC — Sun, 31 May 2015 16:43:43 -0400

I work the front desk at an orthopedic doctor's office. I always address retirees by their rank, when I see it. I do the same for active duty and reservists, even though I really don't have to. It's all about that thing that Aretha Franklin sang about... respect.

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made May 31 at 2015 5:39 PM

MSgt Robert Pellam — Sun, 31 May 2015 17:39:51 -0400

SPC(P) Jay Heenan Everyone in this thread pretty muched answered your main question. I am going to address something else.

You say you are just going to be "Jay Heenan" after you are Med retired. Well honestly, you will all ways be a Specialist. Your time in the military has given you an experience most never know. You will meet other vets too and learn just how deep the military influence is. I think Rally Point is just one of those places where we can keep in contact with others who can relate to our experiences in one way or another.

Good luck SPC Jay Heenan. I hope your transfer is smooth and you get to enjoy civilian life.

Response by SGT Stanley Bass made May 31 at 2015 6:06 PM

SGT Stanley Bass — Sun, 31 May 2015 18:06:33 -0400

When I became disabled and medically retired in 2005, and I got out of the Army after 15 years and 10 months I was done. Sold all my military stuff I had. I wanted nothing to do with the military at that point. I still had USAA for my insurance company and every time I called them They referred to me as SGT Bass. At first I would wonder why. But it is a military organization Run by I am sure former Service members, such as RP is. For service members and Veterans. Over Time I have realized it is simply a show of respect for us all as service members or Veterans that they are showing us. I know after all those years having served that the military is still in me and I still speak some military lingo, and when I call up my insurance company they call me SGT. I enjoy that now, because it reminds me of what I did and how I earned that. Wait til you deal with the VA everybody is Sir or Ma'am. Much like the Civilian Sector, you will be just a number. So for me it is nice to be called by my rank that I earned while serving on Active Duty.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 6:21 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 May 2015 18:21:29 -0400

This is an exclusive military site, for one. Two, you earned that rank and the title. Everyone on here respects it, whether it's PVT or GEN. BTW, tell me the last time you heard someone call a retired four-star Mister!?!

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made May 31 at 2015 8:20 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sun, 31 May 2015 20:20:02 -0400

Unless stripped by UCMJ or CM action, you are the last rank you honorably held. Even in death, just look at the tombstones around the world!

Response by SSG Melvin Nulph made May 31 at 2015 10:58 PM

SSG Melvin Nulph — Sun, 31 May 2015 22:58:55 -0400

Things will get better for you, have faith. Being a member of RP is something I wish I heard of a long time ago.

Response by SGT Timothy Rocheleau made May 31 at 2015 11:02 PM

SGT Timothy Rocheleau — Sun, 31 May 2015 23:02:30 -0400

Because even if you are retired or separated you will always be whatever rank you held when you separated. Although I am simply Timothy R to everyone now I worked my ass off to become Sgt. R while in the military. It is an accomplishment that one should be proud of. And RP is a military themed social media forum. It's out of respect and tradition I would guess.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jul 30 at 2017 12:04 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 12:04:17 -0400

I am retired but I certainly don't attach it to my name anywhere but here.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 1 at 2018 12:05 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 00:05:16 -0400

SPC(P) Jay Heenan Nice to hear you accepting responsibility for your post. Seeking and accepting responsibility has been my goal in life!

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Jul 1 at 2019 9:42 PM

MSgt Neil Greenfield — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 21:42:02 -0400

Think of it this way. This is not to sound macabre, but the day you die is when you (or your survivors) are entitled to a free headstone or grave marker, care of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

It will identify your burial site with your name, date of birth/death, your rank and branch, and any conflicts that occurred during the time you served. So, you will be forever addressed by your rank.

That is if you want this benefit. Funerals are not cheap, and getting this free benefit is something to think about.