Using Rank on Retirement
One of the funniest shows on British TV is Dad’s Army
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc...as-export.html
The use of post-nominals can backfire, as attested by an accountant who was a Master of Arts, had a Master of Business Administration and was an Associate Member of the British Institute of Management. He wrote a letter than accounting firm in Africa and used his post-nominals when he signed it. He received a response a couple of weeks later, addressed to Mr Ma Mba Ambim.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Remind me not to SLF on any flights you pilot. I have been very touched indeed by the gratitude I have been shown on the couple of times I have helped out with little incidents at cruising altitude.
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The Colonel was responding to the advert for someone experienced to take on the Missionary Position......
it amazes me how may people have car number plate surrounds or wear caps that say "I fought in Vietnam" or "Ex Marine Corps" etc. (usually followed by "and proud of it"; which I am happy they are entitled to be
Surely that sort of blatant advertising is just asking to be a potential target of the ungodly
Surely that sort of blatant advertising is just asking to be a potential target of the ungodly
And the most popular TV show exported is Keeping Up Appearances. Not quite sure if that means that the rest of the world enjoy laughing at us.
When I retired from the RAF (late 70s) I had no intention of using my rank, but I did have difficulty in persuading my bank (Coxs & Kings) to stop using my rank on correspondence. I eventually succeeded in getting them to desist when I wrote pointing out the potential security issues at that time (NI).
Earned it, what? Sucking on the teat of the tax payer for years and not having the courage to get out in the real world and stand on your own two feet. This is what you call earning it? And then to expect to be given some recognition for bludging half a lifetime. And yes, 2 chips for balance.
He didn't use his rank. The media did.
Bit of thread drift, but what about using post nominals to indicate an order or decoration (OBE, DFC etc)? Never had anything like that myself but I'm damn sure I would use them at every opportunity if I had!
In 1943 my dad was a WO2 in the Military Police in North Africa. He was given the job of arranging security for King George VI when he was visiting the area where dad was serving. At the end of the visit dad was marched in for a brief audience with HM, who thanked him and presented him with the ribbon of the Royal Victorian Medal for personal services to the monarch (he got the actual medal at the Palace in 1946). One week later his commission came through. Had he already been an officer when he got the medal he would in fact have received the MVO instead. On return to his civilian job as an AA inspector, his employers thought it would be rather good to emphasise the fact that one of their staff had letters after his name, but discovered that there was no entitlement to post nominal letters for the RVM, so thereafter all his official correspondence came addressed to Inspector *** , MVO, which of course he was not entitled do. Dad used the post nominals shamelessly for the rest of his life, and to be honest I don't think it was that much of a crime!
In 1943 my dad was a WO2 in the Military Police in North Africa. He was given the job of arranging security for King George VI when he was visiting the area where dad was serving. At the end of the visit dad was marched in for a brief audience with HM, who thanked him and presented him with the ribbon of the Royal Victorian Medal for personal services to the monarch (he got the actual medal at the Palace in 1946). One week later his commission came through. Had he already been an officer when he got the medal he would in fact have received the MVO instead. On return to his civilian job as an AA inspector, his employers thought it would be rather good to emphasise the fact that one of their staff had letters after his name, but discovered that there was no entitlement to post nominal letters for the RVM, so thereafter all his official correspondence came addressed to Inspector *** , MVO, which of course he was not entitled do. Dad used the post nominals shamelessly for the rest of his life, and to be honest I don't think it was that much of a crime!
Below the Glidepath - not correcting
...However, to my real question, I spend some time in the USA and it amazes me how may people have car number plate surrounds or wear caps that say "I fought in Vietnam" or "Ex Marine Corps" etc. (usually followed by "and proud of it"; which I am happy they are entitled to be.)...Surely that sort of blatant advertising is just asking to be a potential target of the ungodly ?
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Part of this is true!
For a while I worked in the Civil Service (pre-privatised BT). I went in as an H.E.O (Higher Executvive Officer) and had several E.Os (Executive Officers) reporting to me.
Over on the more techy side we had Information Officers (I.Os).
One day I saw a guy wandering down the corridor with some sheep. "Who's that?" I enquired of a chum. "Oh, that's old McDonald" came the reply. "He's an E.I. E.I O.!!
(OK, I made up the last bit, but I expect you noticed)
Over on the more techy side we had Information Officers (I.Os).
One day I saw a guy wandering down the corridor with some sheep. "Who's that?" I enquired of a chum. "Oh, that's old McDonald" came the reply. "He's an E.I. E.I O.!!
(OK, I made up the last bit, but I expect you noticed)
When I left regular service my letter said I could: ‘retain my rank’. I subsequently had two commissions running at the same time and hence I had (even if tenuously) three ranks I could use if I so wished.
I used the two ‘active’ ranks very carefully to ensure there was no confusion and I never played the former higher regular service rank and so never embarrassed my various bosses or tried to push or take liberties with my past status.
There was one mildly amusing occasion at a formal dinner where I got to my place at table (not the top and below the Salt) and discovered the local comedian had put out ten place cards around my position, all with different ranks – everybody had a good laugh and the card I remember most, styled me as a Vice Admiral in the Swiss Navy.
Twelve months ago, as I hit 76, I decided it was somebody else’s turn and packed it all in. The strange thing is, I now get more mail/emails using my former regular service rank than at any time previous – very strange!!!
Old Duffer
I used the two ‘active’ ranks very carefully to ensure there was no confusion and I never played the former higher regular service rank and so never embarrassed my various bosses or tried to push or take liberties with my past status.
There was one mildly amusing occasion at a formal dinner where I got to my place at table (not the top and below the Salt) and discovered the local comedian had put out ten place cards around my position, all with different ranks – everybody had a good laugh and the card I remember most, styled me as a Vice Admiral in the Swiss Navy.
Twelve months ago, as I hit 76, I decided it was somebody else’s turn and packed it all in. The strange thing is, I now get more mail/emails using my former regular service rank than at any time previous – very strange!!!
Old Duffer
