Using Rank on Retirement
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Peripatetic
Posts: 11,298
Using Rank on Retirement
From Sir Humphrey - should start an interesting thread......
https://tinyurl.com/y2fd7nua
Ranking It in? Should the Military Retain Their Rank Titles on Retirement?
....The risk is that the public understanding of defence becomes linked to images of middle aged men with funny job titles and a certain florid complexion getting angry about things they don’t understand, and wondering what on earth the MOD is playing at. It runs the risk of inadvertently politicising the military by dragging them in when it is not entirely clear to the audience that your interviewee no longer has credible access or relevance.
There is a fundamental question about the act of letting go, and moving on with life. The wearing of uniform is a powerful part of ones life and can shape behaviours and actions for decades afterwards. Many people do find it hard to let go, used to holding a certain status in life and then seeing it snatched from them, they cling to their titles in a way that is both sad, but understandable.
Where this becomes uncomfortable is when you see people wearing their rank in civvy street – be it working as a civil servant and expecting people to brace up because you were formerly a full colonel, or by those in uniform assuming that those who have left don’t lose their position in the system. The author was once verbally bollocked by a serving individual for ‘failing to brace up’ as the then First Sea Lord walked past him while he was deep in conversation with someone.
He pointed out that he was actually a civilian, to which the response was ‘yes well you’re ex-military so you should know better’.Apparently his retort of ‘well I’m an ex-boy scout, but you don’t see me going dib dib dib, dob, dob, dob all the time’ wasn’t considered helpful......
https://tinyurl.com/y2fd7nua
Ranking It in? Should the Military Retain Their Rank Titles on Retirement?
....The risk is that the public understanding of defence becomes linked to images of middle aged men with funny job titles and a certain florid complexion getting angry about things they don’t understand, and wondering what on earth the MOD is playing at. It runs the risk of inadvertently politicising the military by dragging them in when it is not entirely clear to the audience that your interviewee no longer has credible access or relevance.
There is a fundamental question about the act of letting go, and moving on with life. The wearing of uniform is a powerful part of ones life and can shape behaviours and actions for decades afterwards. Many people do find it hard to let go, used to holding a certain status in life and then seeing it snatched from them, they cling to their titles in a way that is both sad, but understandable.
Where this becomes uncomfortable is when you see people wearing their rank in civvy street – be it working as a civil servant and expecting people to brace up because you were formerly a full colonel, or by those in uniform assuming that those who have left don’t lose their position in the system. The author was once verbally bollocked by a serving individual for ‘failing to brace up’ as the then First Sea Lord walked past him while he was deep in conversation with someone.
He pointed out that he was actually a civilian, to which the response was ‘yes well you’re ex-military so you should know better’.Apparently his retort of ‘well I’m an ex-boy scout, but you don’t see me going dib dib dib, dob, dob, dob all the time’ wasn’t considered helpful......
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: South of the Watford Gap, East of Portland
Posts: 252
I might suggest that 'rank' is a title for which one has worked hard to attain and, hopefully, fully merit and is/was conferred by dint of your Commission granted to you by the Monarch. Upon leaving the Services, there is a hint that you are no longer serving by the addition (in written form) of 'retd' after your rank.
Would you expect a doctor to rescind his hard-earned title upon retirement? I think not.
If your drinking pals down at the local hostelry like to shout 'Evening Colonel' when you walk in - what harm is there in that? Expectation that the entire room to comes to attention is another matter which might need counseling to moderate.
It might also come down to personal standards and respect. Some 40 plus years after leaving school, there is no way I could return to a school reunion and not call any of the surviving teachers by their christian names.
Would you expect a doctor to rescind his hard-earned title upon retirement? I think not.
If your drinking pals down at the local hostelry like to shout 'Evening Colonel' when you walk in - what harm is there in that? Expectation that the entire room to comes to attention is another matter which might need counseling to moderate.
It might also come down to personal standards and respect. Some 40 plus years after leaving school, there is no way I could return to a school reunion and not call any of the surviving teachers by their christian names.
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Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 13,112
After a couple of decades of RAF service I decided that was enough and took my option to leave. Some years later I was persuaded to become an RAF VR(T) Officer to fly cadets at an air experience unit. However, it took so long to get into the system that when I was called forward I’d just experienced a major change in personal employment circumstances and soon realised I could no longer guarantee time off to fulfil my RAF duties. I was working on a very demanding flying roster with infinite changes and had to withdraw my services from the RAF (resulting in a bit of a fallout with the squadron boss). So I might be one of a small minority who has, in effect, resigned from RAF service twice.
I have most definitely never used my previous military rank in civvy street.....from what I’ve seen since I’m glad because it often just makes one look rather silly.
I have most definitely never used my previous military rank in civvy street.....from what I’ve seen since I’m glad because it often just makes one look rather silly.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Lechlade, Glos.UK
Posts: 741
Interesting topic. It has always been a mystery to me why senior officers, ie Sqn Ldr, Major or Lt Cdr retain their rank on retirement, whilst ranks below do not. Mind you, there are some well know people who break that rule. I do have a business card with my rank and post-numerals on; not for show, but it opens a few doors occasionally; especially in the aviation world. After all, I am not an ex CCF cadet (well actually I am). But a very long time ago it did cause a bit of trouble. I was a director of a prestigious car club/Ltd company and renewed by business card when I ran out. A fellow director, who was in charge of office staff, discovered my cards in my slot and ordered them to all be destroyed. Why? well he was an ex Able Seaman and hated officers, especially RAF ones 
Silly little man.
Silly little man.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Bomber County
Age: 70
Posts: 169
I retired from the RAF "retaining the rank of wg cdr" and got a job as an SEO/SBL/Grade C1 - level civil servant where I served the RAF for another 16 years.
I was never tempted to use my rank - would have been embarrassing since most of my bosses were sqn ldrs.
Most knew my background so would occasionally ask my opinion but I never ever thought of using the rank to my advantage.
(The advantage for the RAF was that occasionally when my boss's post was gapped, they would ask me to run things for a while)
After full retirement the only letter I get to "Wg Cdr Radar101" is my RAFA subs letter.
I was never tempted to use my rank - would have been embarrassing since most of my bosses were sqn ldrs.
Most knew my background so would occasionally ask my opinion but I never ever thought of using the rank to my advantage.
(The advantage for the RAF was that occasionally when my boss's post was gapped, they would ask me to run things for a while)
After full retirement the only letter I get to "Wg Cdr Radar101" is my RAFA subs letter.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: York
Posts: 719
Would you expect a doctor to rescind his hard-earned title upon retirement? I think not.
People who cling to such things, having lived most of their lives through their ‘rank’ just look sad.
Though I accept my view may be influenced by my time in the Royal Air Force where many NCO techies could be better qualified than a fair few officers.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 482
Personally, I think the only people that keep their rank are those that have an inflated ego and cant let go.
Exactly the same with doctors, once you longer treat patients you are not a doctor. No different to someone who used to be a teacher, dustbin man, policeman, florist or any other occupation.
I have never understood it... You don't hear of ex VPs being called Mr President....
Exactly the same with doctors, once you longer treat patients you are not a doctor. No different to someone who used to be a teacher, dustbin man, policeman, florist or any other occupation.
I have never understood it... You don't hear of ex VPs being called Mr President....
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Way north
Age: 44
Posts: 432
Gone are the days when you titulated people by their profession, education, ranks etc.
I remember my grandmother used to put a lot into it.... Now we only use it whenever we're looking for a job.
I personally don't see why we should revert to it?
I remember my grandmother used to put a lot into it.... Now we only use it whenever we're looking for a job.
I personally don't see why we should revert to it?
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 482
Originally Posted by ShotOne
Still a valid question why they should retain the title decades after ceasing to practice.
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: London
Posts: 323
This is going back a bit, but my school was full of them; mostly Army, but I remember a few Navy too. One always had to refer to them as Major xxx, Commander yyy, Capt zzz etc. Even at the time it seemed a bit weird; one teacher I never got on with insisted on being called Lieutenant xxxx, which said a lot in hindsight.
I have a number of good friends with PhDs, never once heard any of them referred to as Dr xxxx, even in a professional capacity.
I have a number of good friends with PhDs, never once heard any of them referred to as Dr xxxx, even in a professional capacity.
