Should a retiree require civilians use their former rank?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 08:42:57 -0400

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?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2023 9:07 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 09:07:57 -0400

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".

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

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Mar 30 at 2023 10:34 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 10:34:54 -0400

Thats pretty messed up. Like "let it go dude. You work with children in education now, not the military." IMO children, especially in a school setting, don't need to have anything military pushed on them (unless it's a history class).

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2023 11:49 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 11:49:11 -0400

LOL

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2023 2:36 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 14:36:23 -0400

Hell no!

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Apr 5 at 2023 3:52 PM

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 15:52:54 -0400

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.

Response by Nicholas Williams made Nov 22 at 2023 3:08 AM

Nicholas Williams — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 03:08:57 -0500

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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