Posted on Mar 30, 2023
Should a retiree require civilians use their former rank?
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My kids' middle school principal requires (not requests, but requires) staff and students address him as colonel. As far as I'm aware he is actually prior service, but I am unsure if he is retired or separated and if he was 0-5 or 0-6. As a SMi have no issues showing respect for his rank and service by addressing him using his former rank. The fact that he is requiring his staff and students do it struck me as odd. For clarification, this is a public school. What are your thoughts on it? Is there a reg that I missed that allows or encourages this that I missed?
Posted >1 y ago
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I found this pretty quick:
"All retired military members are permitted to use their military titles socially and in connection with commercial enterprises. Such military titles must never be used in any manner which may bring discredit to the uniformed services...
Military titles will not be a part of the signature block of a retired service member when signing official correspondence as a civil service employee."
https://www.defense.gov/Contact/Help-Center/Article/Article/2746328/use-of-military-rank-by-retired-military-members/
A work place is not a social situation, and a school district employee sounds like civil service, which means he shouldn't use COL(R) or LTC(R) in his signature block, and implies that he should not require other civil service employees to say it out loud.
Personally, I think that using his authority as principal to require employees and students to address him by his retired rank sounds a bit like "thank me for my service".
"All retired military members are permitted to use their military titles socially and in connection with commercial enterprises. Such military titles must never be used in any manner which may bring discredit to the uniformed services...
Military titles will not be a part of the signature block of a retired service member when signing official correspondence as a civil service employee."
https://www.defense.gov/Contact/Help-Center/Article/Article/2746328/use-of-military-rank-by-retired-military-members/
A work place is not a social situation, and a school district employee sounds like civil service, which means he shouldn't use COL(R) or LTC(R) in his signature block, and implies that he should not require other civil service employees to say it out loud.
Personally, I think that using his authority as principal to require employees and students to address him by his retired rank sounds a bit like "thank me for my service".
Use of Military Rank by Retired Military Members
All retired military members are permitted to use their military titles socially and in connection with commercial enterprises. Such military titles must never be used in any manner which may bring
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SGT (Join to see)
Yes SGM, that's what I was aware of. I was unsure if I had incorrectly interpreted that reg or not. I agree with your summation. Thank you!
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SGM (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - Well that's my interpretation and your interpretation.
The problem is that your principal has a different interpretation, and he may not see it differently until a superintendent or another COL(R) points it out to him.
The problem is that your principal has a different interpretation, and he may not see it differently until a superintendent or another COL(R) points it out to him.
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CSM Chuck Stafford
As a parent, he'd be Mr. Principal to me, but if I were faculty, I could be hamstrung with consequences...maybe he's just identifying as a COL --- but that's a whole 'nother can of worms.
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It's indeed unique for a public school principal to require a military title. While showing respect for his service is understandable, the mandatory nature raises questions. There might not be a specific regulation governing this, as school environments typically follow educational guidelines. Regarding your concern, it could be worthwhile to check the school's policies or consult with higher authorities for clarification. I have quite a lot of experience working at school and helping students with home assignments or training them on how to write an essay, I always recommend them to use such service https://eduhelper/essay-samples. I have heard about such cases many times, but I have not personally encountered them.
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That's just dumb... Sure, he can ask people to do it if they are inclined to do so, but to insist is just dumb. No one calls me by my rank (except maybe Tricare, the VA, and USAA), I don't ask for anyone to do so, and if someone does so on their own accord, that's fine, but I prefer to go by Mac.
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