Being addressed/addressing others by rank after retirement

I still call my boot camp CC Chief, and if I were to find any of my other superiors that I served with, I would still address them by their rank.

Only if you are a flag or I worked under your command. Even if worked for you, it will depend on my level of respect for your leadership.

I think it depends. I would be uncomfortable in most instances being called SSgt once I retire unless it is in some veterans organization (VFW, Legion).

I think it is confusing at times. I heard it is the highest position that the person was in such as is it GEN Powell or Secretary Powell, GEN Petraeus or Director Petraeus? I try to go safe and say Sir or Ma'am. If enlisted by SGT if they were E-5 to E-8 or Top, SGM, etc. If personally close to me we go by first names.

In my very limited military experience, I have only addressed veterans by their rank at formal evens such as balls or commissioning ceremonies. Other than that, it's just "Mr." or 'Ms." and they're fine with it.

This is an interesting one. I will tell you why, and try to illustrate my point.

1. I could/would never call one of my former bosses by their first name, especially those who were GOs. And when I hear other other retirees do that, I see it as disrespectful. It is almost like the wait to retire so they can use first names. Heck, I have a hard time calling retired Colonels, who were my bosses before I was a Colonel, by their first names.

2. I also have a hard time calling former Command Sergeants Major by their first name... It just does not seem right. I eventually got there with a few, as several are also now my close friends.

3. I very much dislike when former subordinates quickly call me "Chuck" in retirement... I see it as disrespectful, which is probably tied to number 1 and 2 above. I see it as now they don't have to show respect, as if to say they never had any respect, but they to act like it.

4. The last is probably because I was a MP and am a retired MP Colonel... When I enter my local military post, Fort Leonard Wood, I hate when an random MP doesn't have the common courtesy to call me Sir; most are very respectful and many even salute. I learned as young MP you can never go wrong with Sir, and I believe as retired Colonel, I have earned that. I always refer to seniors, retired or active as Sir.

I am sure to some I sound anal and self absorbed, but that is hardly the case. I suspect my opinions are based on my view of the world. I just don't think things change immediately the day you take off your uniform, or the respect you had was perhaps not really real respect.

As a Army retiree and now as a DA Civilian... I lean toward option B. With that said... I also find myself, and many of you may also, in a different position at work. While we are all familiar with "our collective" backgrounds... That is all that it is... A background. Why? Well we are DA Civilians.... Minus the active duty team members and using former titles and ranks simply aren't appropriate.

This is especially true now when, I being a retired 1SG, am the Deputy Director of an organization that is made up of civilians and retired officers... Normally LTCs; however, I do have one retired COL. In the absence of my COL... I'm it! Regardless if he is there or not I handle the day-to-day operations of the organization. Most of my peers are also retired officers.

This doesn't mean I want people to bow and grovel... I'm just Cam! Everyone knows my title and that's all. I have been complimented by many as being a servant leader.

Now... Out of habit.. And as a southern boy... I adddress almost everyone by Sir/Ma'am/Ms.... Young or old ... Those are just my manners. That and I would prefer that I not be visited by the ghost of my momma and dad to remind me, "I didn't raise you like that!"

I do find it humerous to be addressed as "Top" or "1SG" when I'm needed for KSAs of my former life... It is done so on each occasion very respectfully... It normally begins, "Cam... I need you to put your SNCO hat on.... We have a question".

Having been a civilian working to the military while still in the National Guard it can be very convoluted. I was referred to by my first name a lot while in uniform by my superiors. Usually in meetings and never around my troops. I on the other hand always used rank in and out of uniform so as to not make that fatal mistake of calling a CSM or a Colonel and above by their first name or any other familiarity. A lot of the LTC and below I knew from their first day of commission and in private would be familiar. That was just me though. Like a salute when in doubt whip it out.

I've been retired for a long time and I prefer first names. However, should the other person prefer to use rank, then that's fine also.

Rank is earned and sometimes there are stories that go behind them.It was only a year ago I found out about a story about my JROTC AI that makes me have a lot more respect for him and he will always be SGM. Petro