How to Write Retired Military Rank and Name?

Blog Written by JOHN COTTON / Fact-checked by LOGAN MILLER

how to write retired military rank and name

When a military member retires, there is proper etiquette on ways to address them. An appropriate abbreviation of rank is a must when referencing a retired military rank.

Become familiar with the rank abbreviations used by each branch of the military if you are also a military member.

Using outdated or improper abbreviations can be considered rude, and it can be confusing. So, are you curious about how to write retired military rank and name?

Here’s an article to help you write your rank when retired, identify military ranks and names, and how to address them.

Ways to Write Retired Military Rank and Name

addressing-retired-military-with-examples

1. How to address/ the format

These are the same guidelines for addressing letters and emails in all military branches. Here are the formats you can use to address retired military in writing a letter, envelope, or an email block: way-to-use-military-rank-after-retirement

For instance: [Full rank] [Full name], USA/USMC/USAF, Retired, [Address]

Where:

  • USA – United States Army
  • USAF – United States Air Force
  • USMC – United States Marine Corps
  • USN – United States Navy
  • USCG – United States Coast Guard

You can also use the retired abbreviation military which is “Ret.” instead of the full word “Retired.”

2. Examples

Here’s an example of the proper way to addressing retired military member in writing for an email, envelope, or letter:

example-to-write-your-rank-when-retired

  • Admiral Mario Garp, USN, Retired, State St., Santa Barbara
  • General Philip Henry, USA, Retired, 601 Midnight Lane, Colorado Springs
  • Brigadier General Rose Charles, USMC, Retired, 10 St., New York

3. The abbreviations by rank

right-name-of-US-army-rank

Using military rank after retirement is a practice in many countries around the world.  To honor their service and uphold their veteran identity, retired military people often retain their titles after retirement.

The military uses acronyms and abbreviations to address easier.

But, there is a proper use of military rank in each military branch. There are two styles of how you can write abbreviations: standard and civilian styles.

Below are tables that show the ranks and its abbreviation for retired military officers:

In standard style:

  •  U.S. Army
Rank (Commissioned Officers) Abbreviation

 

General GEN
Lieutenant General LTG
Major General MG
Brigadier General BG
Colonel COL
Lieutenant Colonel LTC
Major MAJ
Captain CPT
First Lieutenant  1LT
Second Lieutenant 2LT
Rank (Warrant Officers) Abbreviation
Chief Warrant Officer CWO
 Chief Warrant Officer 5 CW5
Chief Warrant Officer 4 CW4
Chief Warrant Officer 3 CW3
Chief Warrant Officer 2 CW2
Warrant Officer WO1
Rank (Enlisted Personnel) Abbreviation
Sergeant Major SGM
Command Sergeant Major CSM
First Sergeant 1SG
Master Sergeant MSG
Sergeant First Class SFC
Staff Sergeant SSG
Corporal CPL
Specialist SPC
Private First Class PFC
Private PVT
Private 1st Class PV1
Private 2nd Class PV2
  • The US Navy
Rank (Commissioned Officers) Abbreviation
Fleet Admiral  FADM
Admiral ADM
Vice Admiral VADM
Rear Admiral (Upper Half) RADM or RADM U
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) RDML or RADM L
Captain CAPT
Commander CDR
Lieutenant Commander LCDR
Lieutenant LT
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) LTJG
Ensign ENS
Rank (Warrant Officers) Abbreviation
Chief Warrant Officers (W-2-W-5)

 

CW2

CW3

CW4

CW5

Warrant Officer W-1 WO1
Rank (Enlisted Personnel) Abbreviation
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy MCPON
Fleet Commander Master Chief Petty Officer FLTMC
Force Commander Master Chief Petty Officer FORMC
Command Commander Master Chief Petty Officer CMDCM
Master Chief Petty Officer MCPO
Senior Chief Petty Officer SCPO
Chief Petty Officer CPO
Petty Officer 1st Class PO1
Petty Officer 2nd Class  PO2
Petty Officer 3rd Class PO3
Seaman SNS
Seaman Apprentice SA
Seaman Recruit SR
  • The U.S Marine Corps

The Marine Corps ranks and abbreviations are the same with the Navy for commissioned officers.

However, there are no specialized classifications in the Marine Corps.

Rank (Commissioned Officers) Abbreviation

 

General GEN
Lieutenant General LTG
Major General MG
Brigadier General BG
Colonel COL
Lieutenant Colonel LTC
Major MAJ
Captain CPT
First Lieutenant  1LT
Second Lieutenant 2LT
Rank (Warrant Officers) Abbreviation
Chief Warrant Officers (W-2-W-5)

 

CW2

CW3

CW4

CW5

Warrant Officer W-1 WO1
Rank (Enlisted Personnel) Abbreviation
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps SGTMAJMC
Sergeant Major SGTMAJ
Master Gunnery Sergeant MGYSGT
First Sergeant 1STSGT
Master Sergeant MSGT
Gunnery Sergeant GYSGT
Staff Sergeant SSGT
Sergeant SGT
Corporal CPL
Lance Corporal LCPL
Private PVT
Private 1st Class PFC
  • The U.S Air Force
Rank (Commissioned Officers) Abbreviation

 

General GEN
Lieutenant General LTG
Major General MG
Brigadier General BG
Colonel COL
Lieutenant Colonel LTC
Major MAJ
Captain CPT
First Lieutenant  1LT
Second Lieutenant 2LT
Rank (Enlisted Designations) Abbreviation
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force  CMSAF
Command Chief Master Sergeant CCMSGT
First Sergeant  1stSGT
Chief Master Sergeant CMSGT
Senior Master Sergeant SMSGT
Master Sergeant MSGT
Technical Sergeant TSGT
Staff Sergeant  SSGT
Senior Airman SrA
Airman First Class A1C
Airman Amn
Airman Basic AB
Airman Battle Uniform ABU
  • U.S. Coast Guard
Rank (Commissioned Officers) Abbreviation
Fleet Admiral  FADM
Admiral ADM
Vice Admiral VADM
Rear Admiral (Upper Half) RADM or RADM U
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) RDML or RADM L
Captain CAPT
Commander CDR
Lieutenant Commander LCDR
Lieutenant  LT
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) LTJG
Ensign ENS
Rank (Warrant Officers) Abbreviation
Chief Warrant Officers (W-2-W-5)

 

CW2

CW3

CW4

CW5

Warrant Officer W-1 WO1
Rank (Enlisted Personnel) Abbreviation
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy MCPON
Fleet Commander Master Chief Petty Officer FLTMC
Force Commander Master Chief Petty Officer FORMC
Command Commander Master Chief Petty Officer CMDCM
Master Chief Petty Officer MCPO
Senior Chief Petty Officer SCPO
Chief Petty Officer CPO
Petty Officer 1st Class PO1
Petty Officer 2nd Class PO2
Petty Officer 3rd Class PO3
Seaman SNS
Seaman Apprentice SA
Seaman Recruit SR

In civilian style:

Avoid casually “Former General” referring to a retired general if you introduced a retired military officer to someone or a crowd. Always follow the proper abbreviation.

Rank Abbreviation
General Gen.
Lieutenant General Lt. Gen.
Major General Maj. Gen.
Brigadier General Brig. Gen.
Colonel Col.
Lieutenant Colonel Lt. Col.
Major Maj.
Captain Capt.

Frequently Asked Questions

a-retired-general

How to address the retired lieutenant colonel abbreviation?

To address a lieutenant colonel, know which military branch he/she is in. It is to be accurate in your writing.

Use this format to address lieutenant colonel: [Full rank] [Full name], USA/USMC/USAF, Retired, [Address].

How to abbreviate a retired colonel?

The abbreviation for colonel retired is COL. in standard style and Col. in civilian style. For example, “COL. Danny Sanders.” or “Col. Amelia Evergreen.”

How to abbreviate Major General in the Marine Corps?

The major general abbreviation for Marine Corps for civilian style is Maj. Gen., and for the standard style it is MG.

For example, if you want to email a retired Major General, “MG/Maj.Gen. Joseph Moore, USMC, Retired, Portland.”

How to address a retired military officer and his/her spouse?

For a standard way, such as writing in an envelope, use this format:

[Full Rank] [Full Name], [Military Branch], [Retired]

And Mrs. [Surname]

[Address]

For social ways, such as inviting them to an event, use this format:

[Full Rank] [Full Name]

And Mrs. [Surname]

[Address]

Do I have to use retired rank on my business cards?

Yes, you must include your retired status on business cards if you are a retired officer. Include the word “Retired” or “Ret.”  on your cards.

How to write an army signature block?

The format for writing a signature block follows:

[Full Name]

[Full Rank] [Military Branch]

[Active Duty/Retired]

Note: Full names must be written in all capital letters for military communications and title cases for non-military.

Conclusion

Finally, you have learned how to write retired military rank and name.  Using the proper format for writing retired military rank and name is essential to show respect and professionalism.

To make sure you properly address army ranks and veterans where you are writing, always double-check the accuracy of the facts.

Capitalize words correctly, use the correct rank abbreviation, and place the retired rank after their name.

By following the guidelines in this article, you can write retired military rank and name with professionalism and respect.

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