Being addressed/addressing others by rank after retirement

I retired as a CPO, from the Navy Reserve side. Occasionally a group of us will get together, both officer and enlisted. 90% of the time I will refer to the officers as either Sir, or by their rank. Most times, they may not know or remember my first name, so they refer to me as Chief. As far as enlisted go, I might refer to them as ,Chief, Senior Chief, or Master Chief, as necessary. But as far as E6 and below , I've never referred to them as Petty Officer, so and so.

With me, it varies. With most of those I fellowship, first names, or Brother works. There are some though, that "Chief", or "Gunny", or "Commander" just seems more appropriate, because it just "fits them" better.

Yeah, it's a rare thing...depends on circumstances. As a contractor now, some of my friends that knew me while in uniform will introduce me including rank, just to be kind and maybe give me some credibility.

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca, I believe that rank should always be used as a sign of respect. But there are of course exceptions; depending on how well one knows the person that is being addressed.

I will use rank amongst retirees when it's appropriate to the situation. Some of my former Airmen I'm still in contact with call me by first name when we're one-on-one. Some still use my rank especially in a group setting. I don't feel any disrespect in either case.

I'll use rank/name for retired officers just because I can't get past 21+ years of addressing them by rank. I've had several tell me to use their first name but it just doesn't seem proper to me.

Well, except for one particular asshat I enjoy calling by his first name just because I know it irritates him.

I don't like anyone to refer to me as SPC Shaffer. I like to be called Shaffer because that is the name everyone has used my whole life. When anyone addresses me as David, I often don't realize they are even talking to me. I always use rank to be respectful, unless told otherwise.

It's all about context. During a military function, absolutely. During ordinary life (non-military) situations, it's a little much.

I think most retirees cherish their heritage, but understand life moves on. The telling moment for me was when it first felt strange that USAA prefaced my name with MSgt on an insurance bill.

I use rank when appropriate. Usually I will use the first name of whom I am talking to among retirees. I will say I enjoy being addressed by rank on occasion, especially when I go through the gate at Ft Stewart or any other military installation. I have fellow Veteran's that come to my business and they out of respect address me as Top or 1SG. That is nice

Sometime I do call folks b a rank that they didn't hold, out or a goading respect to my peers.
I call a fellow paratrooper COL as he calls me Sergeants Major, which we both have never attained.
Calling some by a rank not held is a backhanded complement.
And just FYI a COL does buy the beer as he make more than a SGM.

Can you call me ......"Mini Me?"