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Using Rank on Retirement

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Using Rank on Retirement

Old 22nd Jan 2021, 22:22
  #121 (permalink)  
 
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Mark and Learn

A cautionary tale:
Speaking of our American cousins, several years ago at a dinner in Washington I was sat next to an impressive-looking chap who was not inclined to conversation. I was probably a couple of martinis ahead of him.
I vaguely recalled that he had been introduced as "Colonel" so I took that as a starting point. It was slow going but he eventually disclosed that he was USAF retd. "Oh, how interesting!" I said. "What did you fly?" He was silent for a while then he said "Space Shuttle."
I might have guessed - he oozed the Right Stuff.
Another pause. "Twice."
That shut me up, which obviously suited him just fine.
So I turned my conversational talents on the attractive brunette sitting opposite. Turns out she was a Colonel retd. too. And his wife.
Moral: Retired officers really should drop their ranks. Or perhaps I should drink fewer martinis...
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Old 22nd Jan 2021, 22:28
  #122 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by tarantonight
Research shows name is probably John Crosland, (a WWII Fleet Air Arm Pilot), but he is not on Team Sheet for FA Cup Final 1953 - could be another year though?? - he played for Blackpool 1946 - 1954. Substitute in ‘53 perhaps?

TN.
I read that John Crosland DSC played left back for Blackpool in the 1948 Cup Final, along with both Stanley Matthews and Len Mortensen, but regrettably they lost 4-2 to Matt Busby's Manchester United.

Jack

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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 00:27
  #123 (permalink)  
 
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Re surgeons being called "Mister"

I had an appointment to see a consultant urologist about a bladder problem. At reception, I was told I would not be seeing the chap I was expecting but was told I would be seeing Mr Shearer instead. When I was wheeled in I was somewhat confused to see quite an attractive young lady behind the desk. When I asked if I was in the right room, because I was expecting to see Mr Shearer, she laughed and said - "No, I'm Miss Teixera" (a Portuguese name, which sounded just like Mr Shearer). As a surgeon she followed the practice adopted by her male counterparts and referred to herself as Miss. Anyway all went well, and I was so relieved when she told me that surgery would not be required, that when she asked me if I would like her to check my prostate while I was there, I quite happily concurred.

(My prostate was fine as well!)
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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 01:52
  #124 (permalink)  
 
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Over the years that I used to visit my Mother in a village in deepest Dorset, I met most of her neighbours at various social functions. There was one very pleasant chap, who had no airs and graces, who was a retired General from a famous infantry regiment. He did not use his rank amongst his neighbours, but his much younger, second wife always referred to him as The General and was most insistent that all and sundry should use his rank when referring to him. As a consequence, she was known, behind her back, as Mrs. General!
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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 05:49
  #125 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Tankertrashnav
Re surgeons being called "Mister"
... when she asked me if I would like her to check my prostate while I was there, I quite happily concurred.

(My prostate was fine as well!)
Pleased to hear that the update was good news.

When SIL obtained his PhD, he jokingly told his father, a consultant rheumatologist, that now there was a real doctor in the family. His father then revealed that he also had a PhD. It had lain there unnoticed by his family among his other qualifications.
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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 06:07
  #126 (permalink)  
 
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This thread just gets better and better...

I have the misfortune to deal with the Department for Transport on a daily basis and the latest thing appears to be including gender identity after your name in the signature block:

Regards

Papadolmio (He/ Him)
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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 06:33
  #127 (permalink)  
 
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Can you not put He/Man. By the powers of greyskull...


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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 07:14
  #128 (permalink)  
 
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I suppose you could, might be accused of body shaming though and not sure whether He-Man is inclusive enough nowadays.

I did wonder about being a bit mischievious and start using it on my company emails just to see how long it took to work it's way through the company- the danger being that I might be seen to be taking the p**s and end up on a inclusivity course or something.
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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 07:15
  #129 (permalink)  
 
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One of our North Atlantic Barons - the early Captains who were ex WWII bomber pilots - sternly admonished me when as a lowly S/O - Nav. on a Stratocruiser I attracted the co-pilots attention by calling him by his Christian name - We DO NOT use christian names on the flight deck MR XXXXXXXX said the Captain. When eventually gaining command myself, I would introduce myself to the crew by saying that I didn't have a Knighthood, my name was ( Christian name ) and point out that if they were uncomfortable with that, then whilst on duty I was indeed "Captain" but in the bar that night I was ( Christian name )

A psychiatrist died and upon reaching the Pearly Gates St.Peter welcomed him with the words " I'm glad you've come, we're having a little trouble wit God, he thinks he's a BOAC Captain."

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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 07:47
  #130 (permalink)  
 
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I was leaving Incirlic HQ back in the 90s the day after a new Prowler Sqn had arrived. The whole lot of aircrew were in the car park for their arrival brief. The Colonel brought the whole sqn to attention and saluted me. I went over stood to attention, saluted him and explained I was a OR 9 for future reference. In a southern drawl he said, ‘hey, you’ve done the time and with a badge like that you sure do deserve it’ and shook my hand!
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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 08:24
  #131 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by charliegolf
Classy. If I had the GC, the ribbon would even be on my pyjamas!

CG
I suspect that he , like some VC's , just never , ever, wanted to relive the events of the day/hour/seconds it took him to earn the medal
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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 08:27
  #132 (permalink)  
 
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You almost never hear it these days, certainly not as a means of the individual trying to gain personal advantage, 50 yrs ago it was common enough for a manager to be Major this or Captain that, or an estate owner to be the Brigadier or General.
These days uniformed types dress down into mufti immediately in the UK and don’t use their title, there are disadvantages to that, knowing in advance who you are speaking to influences what you say.
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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 09:40
  #133 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Asturias56
I suspect that he , like some VC's , just never , ever, wanted to relive the events of the day/hour/seconds it took him to earn the medal
Absolutely. Seems to be the way with all these individuals.

CG
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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 09:48
  #134 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by sharpend
Why? well he was an ex Able Seaman and hated officers, especially RAF ones Silly little man.
So you were outranked?
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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 10:00
  #135 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Ken Scott
Ignoring the VSOs in business angle it does seem to be a peculiarly army thing - going into the pub and asking ‘is the Squadron Leader here?’ would be met with blank looks.
Not quite true Mr Scott cos in my pub everyone knows I'm a Sqn Ldr (retd) so no blank looks for me!

Best
OKOC
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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 10:01
  #136 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by jez d
Reminds one of George Bernard Shaw's quip: "Titles distinguish the mediocre, embarrass the superior, and are disgraced by the inferior."
It was my privilege to count amongst my friends Cecil Lewis (Sagittarius Rising), who not only flew in both wars but also became one of the founding fathers of the BBC. He was great friends with GBS, who used to hold soirees for the great and interesting at his London home, in the 20's and 30's.

At one such gathering, Cecil fell into conversation with an interesting chap who had spent some time in the Middle East and afterwards, walked him to Paddington to catch his train home. As he took his leave, he said the fellow "I am sorry, old chap, I didn't catch your name". The reply was a smile followed by "Oh, it's Lawrence".

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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 10:10
  #137 (permalink)  
 
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This thread just gets better and better...

I have the misfortune to deal with the Department for Transport on a daily basis and the latest thing appears to be including gender identity after your name in the signature block:

Regards

Papadolmio (He/ Him)
Not only in dealings with the DfT. I understand ‘stating your pronouns’ is now creeping into usage in emails within the RAF.
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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 10:18
  #138 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by anson harris
So you were outranked?
Ouch, sensitive there I feel.
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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 10:54
  #139 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Ken Scott
Not only in dealings with the DfT. I understand ‘stating your pronouns’ is now creeping into usage in emails within the RAF.
Nooooooooooo!

Ref the VC/GC, was it not Bill Speakman who said something along the lines of 'winning it was easy, living up to it is harder'.

My 'favourite' VC of WW2 is John Kennealy aka Leslie Robinson, who won the VC in Tunisia whilst in the Irish Guards having deserted from the Royal Artillery. Look him up, it's quite a story.
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Old 23rd Jan 2021, 11:15
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When I was still serving, my wife and I were in a country restaurant celebrating our wedding anniversary and when we were ordering our desert the waitress took the order and retired, only to reappear quite quickly and inform me that there was only one of what I had ordered left and the “Wing Commander” always had that. As she spoke she nodded towards a table in the bay window where an older, white haired, moustachioed, rather noisy gent was sitting with a group. I paused, looked at the menu again and then said, “well, you can tell the Wing Commander that the other Wing Commander is having it tonight.”
And I did.
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