What rank should I show on this forum?

SSG Dale London — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 16:29:19 -0500

I left the US Army as a Staff Sergeant (E-6) in 1996. Fifteen years later I was ordained as a Presbyterian minister and felt called to serve as a chaplain. I was too old to go back into the US army so I joined the British Army and was directly comissioned Captain.

So am I SSG Dale London, or Capt Dale London?

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Feb 2 at 2019 4:55 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 16:55:58 -0500

You should show the rank you attained in the US military, as shown on your ERB or DD 214. As a community, RP is focused on service members and veterans who have served in the US military. Thus, we do not allow members to display ranks attained in foreign militaries, State Guards, militias, or any other non-federal entities.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2019 5:20 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 17:20:12 -0500

Your highest rank achieved, because its is what you worked the hardest for.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 2 at 2019 9:04 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 21:04:25 -0500

Some difference of opinion. Membership is US focused vs. international, hence your options on the varied dropdowns is all you have. I'll add the third opinion in that it doesn't matter to me. Everything said, I'd prefer to call you Padre.

Response by MSG Louis Alexander made Feb 2 at 2019 9:35 PM

MSG Louis Alexander — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 21:35:40 -0500

You hold the active rank of Captain - use Captain..

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Feb 3 at 2019 3:51 PM

SPC Chris Ison — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 15:51:23 -0500

This is a tough one. However, for my personal view, i would use the rank i had in the British Army. It is the most recent, and rank on this forum is basically irrelevant, it is a way for some people to brag, and for some people a chance to try and degrade or abuse other members.

I have had several people get perturbed at my position, and try to use my rank as an ad hominem attack to discredit my position.

I just throw it back at them.

Response by SSG Dale London made Feb 3 at 2019 4:12 PM

SSG Dale London — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 16:12:12 -0500

I want to thank everyone who's responded to this question. I have received mixed results and, like many on this forum, I am not particularly worried about my rank.
I wish I could show both or, perhaps, neither. While my commission was not with the US Army, the similarities between the two forces are so great that it has allowed me to gain an officer's perspective on the problems we find here. Likewise, the perspective I have from being an NCO is also very useful.
With all that being said, I don't want something as insignifiant as the letters I put before my name to be an obstacle to my being able to give advice -- and I sense that some my see British Army Captain's pips to be illegitimate on a US Forces forum.
I guess I will keep it as SSG until such time (if ever) that RP decides to allow foreign servicemembers membership here.
Thanks again, everyone. It's been a great discussion.