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Written by Everett Bledsoe / Fact checked by Brain Bartell
There are many things that you need to learn for a smooth transition back into civilian life. One of those things is how to write a retired military signature. You will also need to know and remember small rules, like capitalizing military rank in a sentence. Fortunately, this guide on “How do you write retired military rank and name?” curates everything you need to know.
By the end, you should be able to write military rank and name retired and abbreviate retired military rank without having to pause or second-guess yourself. If you are not a veteran reading this, you will be able to respectfully and appropriately address retired military members.
Table of Contents
The proper way to write retired military rank differs depending on where you are addressing the veteran.
Here is how to write for the address block of an email or letter or an envelope:
For example,
However, when and where the address block of an email or letter or an envelope is used also plays a role.
Official correspondence or situation is when the veteran’s participation is related to service in the military, and vice versa for social correspondence or situations.
Similarly, rank is always included in social situations for oral addressing but may or may not be in official situations. Again, it relies on whether the situation is directly related to the veteran’s service in the military.
Note: Rank is not included when the veteran leaves service before his/her designated retirement, even if he/she was discharged under honorable conditions.
In any case, however, abbreviations can be used. They are more commonly referred to as service specific abbreviations. Thanks to them, it is possible to identify a member of the Armed Forces at first glance. Anyone—civilian military personnel—can use them at any time.
The abbreviations are by rank (From highest to lowest) for each military branch, as follows:
STANDARD STYLEThe U.S Army
The U.
S Navy
The U.
S Marine Corps
The U.S Air Force
The U.
S Coast Guard
Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force
Navy & Coast Guard
Enlisted Ranks:
Army
Maj. of the ArmyMarine Corps
Air Force
Note: Service specific abbreviations can be used to address retired reservists, using the formula: (Rank) (Full Name), (Abbreviation for Service Branch), Retired/Ret.
For example, you would write retired army rank like this: GEN Tom Smith, USA, Retired.
That wraps up our article on “How do you write retired military rank and name?” Hopefully, you have picked up a lot of useful information. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us in the comments.
We would love to hear from you!
Everett Bledsoe
I am Everett Bledsoe, taking on the responsibility of content producer for The Soldiers Project. My purpose in this project is to give honest reviews on the gear utilized and tested over time. Of course, you cannot go wrong when checking out our package of information and guide, too, as they come from reliable sources and years of experience.
See List of All ‘How To Address’ Posts
——–For a retired Lieutenant Colonel, see second post.
——–For a Lieutenant Colonel and Spouse see Couple, Military
Lieutenant Colonel, USA, USMC or USAF
—-Envelope, official: How to Address a Lieutenant Colonel
—-—-Lieutenant Colonel (Full Name), USA/USAF/USMC
—-—-(Address)
——–—-LTC (Full Name), USA
—-—-—-(Address)
—-—-—-Lt Col (Full Name), USAF
—-—-—-(Address)
—-—-—-LtCol (Full Name), USMC
—-—-—-(Address)
—-Envelope, social: How to Address a Lieutenant Colonel
—-—-Lieutenant Colonel (Full Name)
—-—-(Address)
——–—-LTC (Full Name)
—-—-—-(Address)
—-—-—-Lt Col (Full Name)
—-—-—-(Address)
—-—-—-LtCol (Full Name)
—-—-—-(Address)
—-Letter salutation:
—-—-Dear Colonel (Surname):
Above I’ve shown the rank fully spelled out and abbreviated.
Note that each service has a service-specific abbreviation for the rank. Both spelling out and using service-specific abbreviations are correct. If you are looking for more detailed information, look in my book: I get into it all there.
— Robert Hickey How to Address a Lieutenant Colonel
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
How do I address a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel? My initial thought would be to present his rank before his name like “Dr.” and after his name use “U.S. Army” like “D.D.S.” goes after the name for a dentist.
Would this be proper to use?
—-—-John M. Smith, LTC, USA, Ret.
—————-– KG
Dear KG:
The correct form depends on the situation.
(1) Is it official correspondence regarding an official action by a retired officer? The official form defines the correspondence involves his rank/service in the Armed Services. It also specifies that he is retired and not active duty.
(2) Or is it personal / social correspondence? Retired personnel are entitled (at their preference) to use their rank socially. It is a privilege accorded only fully-retired armed services personnel.
—-Official form of address:
——–—-Lieutenant Colonel John M. Smith, USA, Retired
————(Address) See Note #2
—-————-or
——–—-Lieutenant Colonel John M. Smith, USA, Ret.
————(Address) See Note #2
—-Social form of address:
——–—-Lieutenant Colonel John M. Smith
————(Address) See Note #2
—-Salutation or conversation, both official and social:
——–—-Dear Colonel Smith, See Note #1
Note #1.: Yes – it’s correct that Lieutenant is not in the salutation.
Note #2: There are service-specific abbreviation for Lieutenant Colonel. Use them if you want to.
They are standard within the armed services. Take note of the different capitalization and spacings in these service-specific abbreviations:
—-—-USA – Army—LTC
—-—-USMC – Marine Corps—LtCol
—-—-USAF – Air Force—Lt Col
—-You didn’t ask how to address a Lieutenant Colonel orally, but in conversation (direct oral address) he is:
—-—-Colonel Smith
– Robert Hickey
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
You can use these forms of address for any mode of communication: addressing a letter, invitation, card or Email. (If there are differences between the official and social forms of address, I will have mentioned the different forms.) The form noted in the salutation is the same form you say when you say their name in conversation or when you greet them.
___What I don’t cover on this site are many things I do cover in my book: all the rules of forms of address, about names, international titles, precedence, complimentary closes, details on invitations, place cards, all sorts of introductions, etc.
I hope you’ll get a copy of the book if you’d like the further detail.
—-#1) At right on desktops, at the bottom of every page on tablets and phones, is a list of all the offices, officials & topics covered on the site.
—-#2) If you don’t see the official you seek included or your question answered send me an e-mail. I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day or so (unless I am traveling.) Note: I don’t have mailing or Email addresses for any of the officials and I don’t keep track of offices that exist only in history books.
—-#3) If I think your question is of interest to others, Sometimes I post the question – but always change all the specifics.
— Robert Hickey
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
Recommended Resources: The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW) and Protocol and Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA) For more information see the Protocol Resources page.
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Acting Official
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Administrator City County
Admiral
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Ambassador Foreign
Ambassador Goodwill
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Ambassador US Retired Former
Ambassador US to the UK
Archbishop Anglican
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Archimandrite
Architect
Archpriest
Assemblyman -woman
Associate Justice State
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Baron Baroness
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Board Chair
Board Member
Boy
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British Officials
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Brother Anglican
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Business Cards
Canadian Officials
Candidate
Captain
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Certificate, Name on a
Chair of Board
Chair Use Of
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Chief Indian
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Chief Justice State
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Chief of Mission
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Chief of Police
Chief of Staff POTUS
Child
Chiropractor
City Manager Administrator
Clerk of a Court
Colonel
Colonel Kentucky
Commandant
Commission Chair or Member
Commissioner Court
Commissioner Federal
Commissioner Sport
Commissioner State
Commodore Yacht Club
Congressman -woman
Consul, Consul General
Corporate Executive
Councilman -woman
Counselor Diplomat
Countess
County Executive
County Manager Administrator
Couple Clergy
Couple Military
Couple Private Citizens
Couple US Officials
Curator
Dalai Lama
Dame
Deacon Catholic
Deacon Orthodox
Deacon Protestant
Dean Academic
Dean Clergy
Deceased Names of
Degree Honorary
Delegate State
Delegate US
Dentist
Deputy Chief of Mission
Deputy Marshal US
Deputy Secretary US
Designate
Detective
Diploma, Name on a
Director
District Attorney
Divorced
Doctor Medical
Doctor Military
Doctorate Honorary
Doctorate, Use of
Dowager
Duke Duchess
Earl
Elder Adventist
Elect
Emeritus Emerita
Eminence
Emperor Empress
Engineer
Esquire Esq.
Excellency
Executive County
Family
Fiancé Fiancée
Firefighter
First Husband
First Lady, Church
First Lady, State
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First Lieutenant
First Names
First Secretary
Former Official
Freeholder
Gay Couple
General
Geshe
Girl
Governor General
Governor Staff Of
Governor Tribal
Governor US State
Governor US State Spouse
Governors Board of
Gravestone Gravemarker
Headmaster School
Headstone Name On
High Commissioner
Honorable The, Use Of
Honorary Degree
Honourable The
II, III, IV etc.
Inspector General
Interim
Introductions Names In
Invitations All About
Invitations All About, Military
Judge Federal
Judge Retired Former
Judge State County City
Junior, II, III, IV etc
Justice Associate US
Justice Chief US
Justice of the Peace
King
Knight
Late, The, Use of
Lawyer
Lesbian Couple
Lieutenant
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor Spouse
Lieutenant jg
Lord Lady
Ma’am
Magistrate
Major
Major General
Man Business
Man Socially
Manager City Town
Marquess Marchioness
Married Woman
Marshal US
Mayor Canadian
Mayor US City
Mayor Vice US City
Medic
Military Active Duty
Military Couples
Military Doctor
Military Rank Abbreviations
Military Retired How to Address
Military Retired Use of Rank By
Military Veterans, Use of Rank
Minister Adventist
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Miss
Monk Christian Orthodox
Monsignor
Most Reverend
Mother Superior
Mrs.
vs. Ms.
Mx.
Name Badge
Name Tent
Naming a Building Road or Gallery
Nobilty Former
Nominee
Nun Catholic
Nun Christian Orthodox
Nurse
Optometrist
Osteopath
Pastor
Pastor Spouse
Patriarch Christian Orthodox
Patriarch Ecumenical
Permanent Representative
Petty Officers
Pharmacist
Physician, MD
Place Cards, Names on
Plaque, Name on a
Podiatrist
Police Officer
Pope Catholic
Pope Coptic
Post-Nominal Abbreviations
Postmaster General
Postmaster Local
Presbyter Christian Orthodox
President College Univ
President Corporate
President School
President State Assembly
President US Senate
President USA
President USA Elect
President USA Former
President USA Spouse
Priest Catholic
Priest Christian Othrodox
Priest Episcopal
Prime Minister
Principal
Pro Tempore
Professor, Email
Professor, Letter
Psychologist
Public Health Service
Queen
Rabbi
Ranger Texas
Rear Admiral
Representative State
Representative US
Reservist
Reservist Use of Rank
Resident Commissioner
Retiree
Reverend, Use of
Right Reverend
Ruler
Salvation Army
Same-Sex Couple
School Board
Second Gentleman
Second Lady
Second Lieutenant
Second Secretary
Secretary General
Secretary US Assistant
Secretary US Cabinet
Secretary US Deputy
Secretary US Under
Secretary, State Cabinet
Selectman, First Selectman
Senator Canadian
Senator US Federal
Senator US State
Senior Judge
Senior, Junior
Sergeant
Sergeant at Arms
Sheriff
Signature, Your
Sir
Sister Catholic
Solicitor General
Speaker US
Specialist
Spouse of Official
State Attorney
Surgeon General
Table Tent, Names on
Texas Ranger
Therapist
Third Secretary
Titles Useless
Tombstones Name On
Town Justice
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Tribal Officials
Two Titles
Two Titles, Clergy
Undersecretary US
Venerable
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Veterinarian
VFW Official
Vice Admiral
Vice Mayor US City
Vice President Elect
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Viscount Viscountess
Warrant Officer
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Page load link Go to Top Together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, we are talking about the most important changes.
Extended service life
The key innovation of the law is the increase in deadlines services in the internal affairs bodies.
Thus, the maximum age of service for the average it is proposed to increase the commanding staff, majors and lieutenant colonels of the police, internal service and justice from 50 to 55 years, for colonels - from 55 to 60 years, and for generals - from 60 to 65 years. At the same time, for employees with other ranks, the maximum age remains at the level of 50 years.
The age limit for entering the service in the internal affairs bodies is also increased: to fill the positions of privates and junior commanding staff - up to 35 years, and for positions of middle, senior and senior commanding staff - up to 40 years (before the adoption of this law, for all it was up to 35 years old).
Seniority - no change
At the same time, which is very important, the new law does not change the existing seniority standards, and police officers will be able to retire as before.
In addition, employees of the internal affairs bodies, until January 1, 2025, retain the right to dismiss due to the achievement age limit for service under the conditions in force until the day entry into force of this law.
Strengthening the staff capacity
The new law aims to strengthen the human resources potential of the Russian police: due to the increase in the age limit for service in the bodies of internal first of all, experienced and professional officers will be able to remain. Within five years, more than 26,000 people can decide to remain in the service. policemen, it was noted in the explanatory note.
Experienced - no trials
Another issue that is decided by the law is the opportunity to enter for service in the internal affairs bodies without tests for persons who have previously worked in the system the Ministry of Internal Affairs and those who replaced the positions of the federal state civil service and the positions of employees in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Additional social guarantees
Employees are now entitled to additional days off for the care of children with disabilities and people with disabilities from childhood until they reach 18 years of age. And in case of temporary disability of an employee, leave by decision head is extended or postponed for an agreed period.
In addition, the law prescribes the procedure for when parental leave not only a mother, but also a father-policeman will be able to take care of a sick child: an employee of the internal affairs bodies is released from the performance of official duties in the event that he is issued a sheet of exemption from the performance of official duties due to temporary disability for caring for a sick child, if available objective reasons indicating the impossibility of caring for a sick child by a mother, for example, if she is on a business trip or herself ended up in the hospital.
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Let us remind you that this day marks the Day of Veterans of the Internal Affairs Bodies and Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.
“This holiday is a recognition of merits, a tribute of respect and deep gratitude to all those who dedicated their lives to serving the Fatherland. Even after retiring, you remain in the ranks, taking an active part in the daily service of the National Guard units and the work of departments of the internal affairs bodies, passing on your invaluable experience to young colleagues. Being engaged in propaganda and promotion of legal knowledge among the population, primarily among minors and youth, you make a huge contribution to the prevention of crime. Special thanks to you for the sincere and disinterested assistance that you provide to the orphanages of the region, taking patronage over them,” said Sergey Morozov.
During the event, Sergey Morozov and the head of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Ulyanovsk region, Yuri Varchenko, held the award ceremony.
“I am very pleased that the head of the region pays attention to veterans of the internal affairs bodies. We also do not sit still, despite our age. Members of veteran organizations today prevent and solve crimes on their own, setting an example for the young. It is gratifying that the top leadership of the region, represented by the Governor, appreciates our work,” said Alexei Afanasov, Chairman of the Council of Veterans of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Ulyanovsk Region.
For reference
By order of the Governor of the Ulyanovsk region, members of the Ulyanovsk regional branch of a public organization were awarded for active participation in the veterans' movement, merits in the development of the system of military-patriotic education of youth and many years of conscientious service in the internal affairs bodies in the Ulyanovsk region veterans of internal affairs bodies and internal troops of Russia:
Letter of thanks from the Governor of the Ulyanovsk region:
- retired police lieutenant colonel Stifatova Galina Vladimirovna;
- retired police lieutenant colonel Stulova Albina Aleksandrovna;
- retired police colonel Chukhlov Sergei Vasilyevich;
personalized gift from the Governor of the Ulyanovsk region - wristwatch:
- retired police colonel Anatoly Vladimirovich Stanovov;
- retired police major Yunalieva Faina Yakovlevna;
in connection with the 60th anniversary of the birth of a valuable gift from the Governor of the Ulyanovsk region:
- retired police lieutenant colonel Krasnov Alexander Semenovich.
