Post Nominals
My Dad is a 'PhD'. Many years ago he took over as works manager of a factory where he was initially known as 'Dr Who?'. After negotiations with the local union reps he became 'Dr No!'.
Ladies & Gentlemen,
Don't knock the use of post nominal letters!
If one looks at any of the social media things such as 'Linkedin', one finds an almost unimaginable list of claimed achievements and experience, which when interpreted into everyday language, actually means nothing too grand.
It used to be claimed that members of the armed forces frequently 'undersold' themselves when applying for jobs or comparing themselves with their civilian counterparts. Some online CVs certainly lay that particular ghost.
Like so much else it's mostly a load of spherical objects!
Old Duffer (BA Bombay failed)
Don't knock the use of post nominal letters!
If one looks at any of the social media things such as 'Linkedin', one finds an almost unimaginable list of claimed achievements and experience, which when interpreted into everyday language, actually means nothing too grand.
It used to be claimed that members of the armed forces frequently 'undersold' themselves when applying for jobs or comparing themselves with their civilian counterparts. Some online CVs certainly lay that particular ghost.
Like so much else it's mostly a load of spherical objects!
Old Duffer (BA Bombay failed)
Gentleman Aviator
(BA Bombay failed)
He took great delight in putting (ironically we hope) "MSc (Madras)" after his name on his office door.
We always thought if he'd tried a bit harder he might have qualified for an MSc (Vindaloo)!
Well this afternoon I received an email from, shall we say a contractor, who in his signature block had the post noms QDJM MCMI. I don't pretend to know everything, so it might be me being a bit thick, but Google has been no help - please tell me QDJM means something other than the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal?????
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I know a civilian company owner cheeses off with all the OBE, BEM etc who directed his Secretary to put COM after his name.
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: South Africa
Age: 87
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Which is of course much rarer than either QGJM or QDJM!
HRH the POW wears his I notice.
IAN16th Old Boy Entrant
You work out the abbreviation.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,809
Received 135 Likes
on
63 Posts
Wow ... 16 OBEs. That's really impressive 
Which is of course much rarer than either QGJM or QDJM!
Mine has rarely seen the light of day since OC Eng said "'ere, 'ave one of these". Still, trying to find where on earth it had been squirreled away help pass a wet & miserable afternoon. Am obviously out of Duraglit...
Last edited by Lyneham Lad; 14th Nov 2014 at 19:04.
Certainly in my two jobs since leaving, ok on cv's. Not used in work.
When a young airman many years ago, my (coloured) Snco had a brass office door plate with post nominals HWNIC.
We eventually found out what they stood for- Half Wit N****r in Charge.
When a young airman many years ago, my (coloured) Snco had a brass office door plate with post nominals HWNIC.
We eventually found out what they stood for- Half Wit N****r in Charge.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Well, Lincolnshire
Age: 69
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My very old pal tells a story.
Many years ago as a teenager he worked for a builder for 1 week. Come payday Friday, his pay envelope was typed with his name followed by DCM.
"What does DCM mean? Boss"
Boss replies
"DCM means Don't Come Monday, you're sacked"
Oh how we laughed.
Many years ago as a teenager he worked for a builder for 1 week. Come payday Friday, his pay envelope was typed with his name followed by DCM.
"What does DCM mean? Boss"
Boss replies
"DCM means Don't Come Monday, you're sacked"
Oh how we laughed.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Temporarily missing from the Joe Louis Arena
Posts: 2,131
Received 27 Likes
on
16 Posts
Although entitled to use the post-nominal 'RN' amongst overs I've never been tempted, lest I be mistaken for a bottom fancying navy boy rather than the hard as nails registered nurse that I am.
Gentleman Aviator
Am obviously out of Duraglit...
Top tip I was given for cleaning medals (and use) is the rubber (eraser!) on the end of a pencil.
Have you just let slip that you are a Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North Yorkshire
Age: 82
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is an appropriate time and place for using post-nominals. Using them inappropriately invites ridicule. There are similarities with wearing your medals. You wouldn't wear them out shopping.
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: South Africa
Age: 87
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You wouldn't wear them out shopping.
Army veteran, 70, assaulted as he walked to cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday | Daily Mail Online
You wouldn't wear them out shopping.
They do in Russia, or at least they did 20 years ago when I was staying there. It was quite common to see WW2 veterans wearing their medal ribbons, or less often the medals themselves when out and about in civvies on a day to day basis.
The Gold Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union (which is solid gold) was meant to be worn at all times, never the ribbon alone, and I did a double take in Moscow one day when a smartly dressed man strode past me wearing said medal on his lapel. The Soviets didnt use post-nominals but still took medals very seriously and there was no cynicism directed at the holders. Holders of the Order of Lenin were allowed to go to the head of the queue at railway booking offices, post offices, shops etc, and in the latter days of the Soviet Union that was a privelege worth having!
They do in Russia, or at least they did 20 years ago when I was staying there. It was quite common to see WW2 veterans wearing their medal ribbons, or less often the medals themselves when out and about in civvies on a day to day basis.
The Gold Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union (which is solid gold) was meant to be worn at all times, never the ribbon alone, and I did a double take in Moscow one day when a smartly dressed man strode past me wearing said medal on his lapel. The Soviets didnt use post-nominals but still took medals very seriously and there was no cynicism directed at the holders. Holders of the Order of Lenin were allowed to go to the head of the queue at railway booking offices, post offices, shops etc, and in the latter days of the Soviet Union that was a privelege worth having!