Using Rank on Retirement
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Fawlty Towers would just not have been the same without the Major - hence the amendment above!!!! 
TBH, it is Basil himself who seems to "use" the Major's title just to "big up" his humble emporium - not the Major! And Ballard Blascheck played the part to perfection! Particularly due to some of those classics such as the Major hunting down the rat in the Bar, I always found myself having difficulty in keeping a straight face when first being introduced to Pongos of a certain Rank as that was how I pictured them ending up - totally unjustly of course.
So, enjoy some pure non-PC nostalgia!!!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-fjZYEhtaM
TBH, it is Basil himself who seems to "use" the Major's title just to "big up" his humble emporium - not the Major! And Ballard Blascheck played the part to perfection! Particularly due to some of those classics such as the Major hunting down the rat in the Bar, I always found myself having difficulty in keeping a straight face when first being introduced to Pongos of a certain Rank as that was how I pictured them ending up - totally unjustly of course.
So, enjoy some pure non-PC nostalgia!!!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-fjZYEhtaM
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Universities are full of people with post nominals and interesting to note only on official responses do professors etc use full title. Rest of the time its all first name terms. All mine are aware I'm ex-service but its not a point for discussion and I don't raise it. This is work of a different requirement.
Wg Cdr Very Important BA (Hons) MBA MSc PGDE DMS DipIM MIMC, CMC FInstLM FCMI RAFVR(T) retd
Wg Cdr Quite Important BA (Hons) PGCE FInstLM MBILD TechIOSH RAFVR(T) retd
Flt Lt Notso Important MA(PP) MA (Law) BSc HNC CMgr FCMI Chartered FCIPD FInstLM FRSPH FRSA MRAeS RAFVR(T) retd
Are their ego's that fragile they need to do this?
Funny how the common theme being normal ex-mil don't discuss or broadcast it unless in appropriate company yet attention seekers like this are quite the opposite.
Wg Cdr Very Important BA (Hons) MBA MSc PGDE DMS DipIM MIMC, CMC FInstLM FCMI RAFVR(T) retd
Wg Cdr Quite Important BA (Hons) PGCE FInstLM MBILD TechIOSH RAFVR(T) retd
Flt Lt Notso Important MA(PP) MA (Law) BSc HNC CMgr FCMI Chartered FCIPD FInstLM FRSPH FRSA MRAeS RAFVR(T) retd
Are their ego's that fragile they need to do this?
Funny how the common theme being normal ex-mil don't discuss or broadcast it unless in appropriate company yet attention seekers like this are quite the opposite.
As alluded to previously, my business cards do not include any of my pre- and post-nominal entitlements. So when someone hands me a business card with a list like the above, I tend to tick them off and add "oh, only Mxxx not Fxxx?" or "so you're not xxxx" etc
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Originally Posted by toratoratora View Post
My ex-wife’s current husband (long since retired from the RLC) insists on using ‘Major’ at every opportunity, even on his bank account, but then he is a bit of a t**t.
My ex-wife’s current husband (long since retired from the RLC) insists on using ‘Major’ at every opportunity, even on his bank account, but then he is a bit of a t**t.
During the British Raj in India issues of precedence between Indians and British sometimes caused problems. The College of Heralds in London once noted, "The Agha Khan is held by his followers to be a direct descendant of God. English Dukes take precedence."
Into the village in which I live came a retired Lt Col and on his first trip to the local alehouse he was asked what he did. His reply was something along the lines that he had just retired from the army. Asked his rank, he played the 'telephone colonel' bit by saying he was a colonel and then started to hog the conversation with quite a bit of 'when I was in ........'. The next time he came into the pub some wagg called out to him 'hey corporal' to which he was quite affronted but never tried the colonel bit again.
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Tinker
Nice to see, Shy Torque, a reference to a character, now dead, from the village in which I have lived since 1993. Tinker proved to be the sole individual in the village who would bother to give time of day to self and wife as we strolled around its environs. For so many, the presence in their midst of a low-ranking Welsh military retiree, me, a Socialist Roman Catholic to boot, was too much to bear, and it quickly became apparent. In relation to the topic, it must be possible to live one's life story by actions, as did Tinks, rather than by the assumption of a rank. I found a startling example of this during my working life when I was told that a colleague was now a Lord. Simple, buy the Lordship of a Manor, but in doing so beware the obscure obligations which may be involved.
Last edited by JENKINS; 27th Jan 2021 at 15:39.
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Originally Posted by Bob Viking
....... But if they act like a prat then feel free to tell them, whoever they are. BV
...and may be the main reason I never attained a rank worthy of mentioning (as my boss said "Please don't tell the AOC to shut up again").
....... But if they act like a prat then feel free to tell them, whoever they are. BV
...and may be the main reason I never attained a rank worthy of mentioning (as my boss said "Please don't tell the AOC to shut up again").
I do not to approve as those that do use previous titles tend, in my experience, to be self-important arseholes.
My father was Head Maltster for a family run brewery, members of said family insisted on Wing-Co and Sqn-Ldr,
when my father was finally de-mobbed it was as a Lt-Col, he never ever used any title, other than Mr.
My father was Head Maltster for a family run brewery, members of said family insisted on Wing-Co and Sqn-Ldr,
when my father was finally de-mobbed it was as a Lt-Col, he never ever used any title, other than Mr.
"every organisation needs about one or none like you, LB. I am not sure which!"
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I have found this thread quite interesting and informative and particularly so as a person who has gained advanced academic qualifications and is entitled to be addressed as "Doctor". I have not used the term for a very long time and most people either address me by my Christian name or as Mister if they don't know otherwise. Just like military ranks and titles in the services have a purpose so do civilian ones like manager, supervisor, director, etc.. However when a civilian stands down, gets fired or retires the rank or title ends at that point. So why not the military ones?
Just a couple of maybe useful points. I admit to using the title Doctor when I have anything to do with the Health Service or medical things in general. I have two reason and the first is using the title Doctor more or less ensures that I will be treated as a person of some intelligence rather than that of the Village Idiot. Secondly my age - now in my ninth decade sometimes I feel that being over 80 can mean being treated as someone with a mental age of two who should be parked in the old folks home.
Finally regarding the Health Service. If you are an ex-service person do make sure that you GP and the local health practice have your records marked accordingly. The reason is that we are supposed to given a "priority service". I do not know whether or not this works across the UK but I have seen it work here in West Wales regarding hearing problems, hip and knee problems.
Just a couple of maybe useful points. I admit to using the title Doctor when I have anything to do with the Health Service or medical things in general. I have two reason and the first is using the title Doctor more or less ensures that I will be treated as a person of some intelligence rather than that of the Village Idiot. Secondly my age - now in my ninth decade sometimes I feel that being over 80 can mean being treated as someone with a mental age of two who should be parked in the old folks home.
Finally regarding the Health Service. If you are an ex-service person do make sure that you GP and the local health practice have your records marked accordingly. The reason is that we are supposed to given a "priority service". I do not know whether or not this works across the UK but I have seen it work here in West Wales regarding hearing problems, hip and knee problems.
I have never been in the military so have no idea why those who have see it necessary to use a title they no longer hold or need. The master of the foxhounds I had to deal with in my water main laying days in Cheshire was one who insisted on being Captain Something .... and talking with a ridiculous plummy accent that just got up everybody's nose. I was also led to understands that ex military men are permitted to call themselves by a rank one higher than they actually served with. And those with a problem with the pompous "Captain" would mutter that he only ever held the substantive rank of Lieutenant.
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 ?
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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I am reminded of something I experienced many years ago when I left the RAF.
On the first day of my new job I wasn't the only new starter and it was obvious there were a few ex-service people about to embark on their new civilian career path.
The conversation followed the usual path, who are you, where did you serve, what did you do, rank etc.....
There was one buffoon who informed me because I used to be 3 ranks lower than him he commanded more respect from me and that he would be held in higher esteem than me in the new job!
He was very quickly put in his place!
Oh how I chortled!
On the first day of my new job I wasn't the only new starter and it was obvious there were a few ex-service people about to embark on their new civilian career path.
The conversation followed the usual path, who are you, where did you serve, what did you do, rank etc.....
There was one buffoon who informed me because I used to be 3 ranks lower than him he commanded more respect from me and that he would be held in higher esteem than me in the new job!
He was very quickly put in his place!
Oh how I chortled!
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That reminds me of someone I knew who left as a Sqn Ldr and joined a well known airline as a FO. He would tell everyone he flew with that anyone who didn’t make his former rank was frankly not worth recruiting as a pilot to the airline. I heard this via one of his captains who formerly was ‘just’ a Lt in the FAA...
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I have never been in the military so have no idea why those who have see it necessary to use a title they no longer hold or need. The master of the foxhounds I had to deal with in my water main laying days in Cheshire was one who insisted on being Captain Something .... and talking with a ridiculous plummy accent that just got up everybody's nose. I was also led to understands that ex military men are permitted to call themselves by a rank one higher than they actually served with. And those with a problem with the pompous "Captain" would mutter that he only ever held the substantive rank of Lieutenant.
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 ?
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 ?
The purpose of this equivalent rank exercise was to sort out messing facilities.
Come on guys there must be more of you out there who have had to put up with worse nonsenses.
Last edited by DODGYOLDFART; 28th Jan 2021 at 14:53.
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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 ?
Surely that sort of blatant advertising is just asking to be a potential target of the ungodly ?
I have never been in the military so have no idea why those who have see it necessary to use a title they no longer hold or need. The master of the foxhounds I had to deal with in my water main laying days in Cheshire was one who insisted on being Captain Something .... and talking with a ridiculous plummy accent that just got up everybody's nose. I was also led to understands that ex military men are permitted to call themselves by a rank one higher than they actually served with. And those with a problem with the pompous "Captain" would mutter that he only ever held the substantive rank of Lieutenant.
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 ?
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 ?
I have seen it suggested a few times that retired officers can assume one rank higher on retirement, but it is certainly not the case so far as the Royal Navy is concerned. The Captain of the Heads wouldn't dream of it....
Jack
The use of rank titles after retirement was much more normal back around the time I joined the RAF. In the local pub a retired RN Cdr and a retired RAF Sqn Ldr would often call in - it was quite normal for them to be addressed so rather than as 'Mr.'
But the threat of terrorism over the following years meant that we were discouraged from using rank titles in correspondence or being seen out and about in uniform. So what was once normal simply faded out.
It's becoming common once again to see people in the local area in uniform and if they wish to be known by their rank when they retire, then so be it.
But the threat of terrorism over the following years meant that we were discouraged from using rank titles in correspondence or being seen out and about in uniform. So what was once normal simply faded out.
It's becoming common once again to see people in the local area in uniform and if they wish to be known by their rank when they retire, then so be it.