☆ENGLISH ONLY☆コミュのhow to address retired/discharged militery personnel

i don't know much about military...
but i heard that once they join the military they will always want to be one...
so i guess you should treat them as military men~~~

If they're not in service anymore, just use Mr. or Ms., don't use their former rank to address them. Reason for discharge doesn't matter.

I agree with #2.

I have several retired military in my family, including my father and both grandfathers. No one has ever addressed any of them by rank UNLESS he was standing there in full military attire (for reunions, ceremonies, etc).

Retired members of the US military technically retain the right to use their rank. Occasionally forformal use, you'll see someone use their previous rank. For example, sometime a formal letter might be signed "John Smith, Lt. Col. USAF (Retired)".

However, for everyday address, the rank of retired military personnel generally should not be used.

You're not likely to run into anyone who was dishonorably discharged, so don't even worry about that.

Use Mr./Ms./Mrs. with their name if you know it, and use Sir/Ma'am if you don't know their name, just like you would with any other person.

Thanks guys for your input. Very helpful.

5#,
You might, but they aren't gonna tell you about it! lol

I am a Military Officer, but inactive Reserves while living in Japan. I am also a Doctor.

The question is very subjective to the activity. The protocols

If your occupation is directly related to providing service to Military personnel. For example a contract company or administration office on a military base. The Protocal requires you to Address them by rank and name.

In Civilian Life, After discharge from active service it is not required. And Mr. Or Mrs. Ms (unmarried) is sufficient.

To be honest, in my personal preference. I prefer not to be referred to or addressed as Lt.Col Davis Fighter Pilot USAFR. If it is not related to Military service or military social group in anyway.

The same goes for my Career as a Physician. Protocol requires me to address myself and for others to address me as Dr. Davis., However after I leave the hospital or the university. I am Simply Mr. Glenn Davis. As that is howIi choose to be addressed.

The reasons are directly related to Service and the Peer groups.

In many ways, if it is a casual contact then Speaking and Communicating to them as simply Mr. and Mrs. is sufficient as long as their earned titles are not connected to the purpose of communication. In this case you cannot go wrong. Unless the individual prefers to identify themselves by a title.

Much of these titles are directly related to Old Traditional values and code of ethics. In American Culture we tend to keep our work life and private life separate.

There is some cultural difference as compared to UK and Australian culture that are more closely linked to Traditional British Ethics.

In my life, I prefer people to be comfortable in my space. So for casual reason often the people I meet here in Japan have no idea that I am a Physician, as I prefer all my social contact and friendships to be free from peer influence Unless I am talking to a bank or related to my work.

I don't want the burden of a title influencing my relationships with people. That is how I view my life. Unless they ask, But again I remind them that i prefer to keep it casual unless it is regard to professional relationships.

With that being said. It is important to be able to identify the person in question and how that person views themselves and how they choose to be addressed.

Titles are based around peer group influence.

Glenn,

Thanks for sharing your thought. My involvement with military personnel is kind of gray zone. I am a research staff conducting interview with them, and our project is funded by DoD though my employer is not related to VA or DoD. So we had no idea what was the appropriate way to call retired/discharged military personnel.

Sounds like using Mr. and Ms is sufficient.

Thanks, again!

In that Case, Retired Career SNCO and Officers are to be referred to by their Rank.

Your welcome,

Glad I could help.