Being addressed/addressing others by rank after retirement

I will always address my favorite Staff Sargent by saying "Huff my Staff Sargent" and he will always say "FRONT LENNING REST!!!/:0)"

Well, im from northeast rural Georgia and teach in upstate rural SC. Sir and Ma'am are SOP to elders, and unless specifically directed, rank is used for retirees (much like Professors, physicians, ministers, etc.). Maybe its just my family, but everyone around here does it too.

I believe there are times and/or places where it would be appropriate, assuming the rank was known.

However, since my business cards don’t say SFC(R) Brian Gillum MSCJA, BSCJ, EMT-B, I don’t expect people to know my rank, let alone use it in any setting unless it is some formal occasion where it would be appropriate, or if I see a member of the military acting a fool/needing on the spot correction and I identify myself with my rank to lend credence to my putting them at parade rest and counseling them on their wayward ways.

Army policy is in AR 600-8-7, par. 1-9a, “Retired Soldiers will be treated with the same courtesy as their active duty counterparts. They will be addressed by their retired rank, if known; otherwise, they will be addressed as “Sir” or “Ma’am.”.” That being said, in my experience as Director, outside formal meetings or organizations where it is pertinent (e.g. a retiree council) I have seen respect shown (in both directions), but actual rank seldom voiced. When I talk to other Retired Soldiers (and retirees of other Servces), I use their rank, if I know it, to convey my appreciation for their service and to recognize that they are still serving - in another capacity. For the Army, we follow the Soldier for Life mindset.

If you are retired you are still member of the military. You are subject to recall, you are subject to the UCMJ 24/7 as up held by the Supreme Court. If you look at the military definition of retirement pay it is referred to as retainer pay. If you resign your commission or leave service after your enlistment period you are no longer a part of the military therefore none of this applies. If you retire have some class, the courtesys still apply

I figure that is our past. Just call me by my name, we are all equal now as far as I'm concerned.

In my time we had:
Major Fuckup
Captain Obvious
and
Sergeant Schultz

I do use their rank if I know what their rank is. Being a civilian you don't always wear your rank. So even if you know they are a veteran it isn't always clear so I will call them Brother or Sister.

I find rank is not that big of a deal as a veteran. I refer to most veterans as brother or sister anyway. Unless you were in my direct chain of command or were senior ldrship (1sg, CSM, Col), you will be addressed by last name or first name. That's the civilian way, which we are all apart of now. Don't be the veteran demanding to be Sgt Snuffy or CPT Hero. Not cool.

Its funny when I call USAA and the call me specialist, for them it is a sign of respect. I call a person what ever they are more comfortable with