amateur Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 I imagine it's because some peoples egos can't handle the fact they were a somebody in the military and they're now a nobody in the civilian world. Officially known as wozzas as in "I was a major in the RASC ........" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sha Bu Le Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 Fly fishing somewhere in Northumbria many moons ago (forget where) we had a break for a bite (no pun intended) at a local inn, it did accommodation and had a couple of permanent residents, one rather obese guy sat at the bar was addressed as major by the landlady. Now I don't have a problem with this but when he heard our north eastern accents he became a right pretentious twit. I think that occasion came down to a personal level as I think whether he was major, mr, general or whatever he would still been a ****. Knew one guy ex mil, nickname Gunner surname Haddock, what a really nice chap he was rough as a badgers but one of life's gents. He used to help out at the stables where I kept my horse; again many moons ago. Last I heard of him was 14 years ago and still going strong (in spite of 40 players a day) His daughter Sandy filled me in on old Gunner when I was in the local hospital for a while. She was a ICU nurse at the hospital, so because you are a Gunner or a Mr or a Major or whatever does not mean that very valuable contributions to society cannot be made. Except for Major tit we met in Northumbria. Edit = Naughty word corrected Edit Edit = word designed to assimilate Naughty word corrected Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parapilot Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 Remembrance Day is the only day I will display / reveal my past military service. Some people think they are still serving although it's well in the past. Don't use anything else unless it is to get the odd discount!! I was still quite a Jnr officer when I left so maybe not as hard to let go!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brixsmaid Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) It was my understanding that Ex RN Officer's had a reserve liability on leaving the RN and if recalled were entitled to a promotion on their return to active service i.e. left as Lieutenant Commander they if recalled would resume as Commander. And most of those (too many) that I have met used this future rank for the rest of their lives! I believe this reserve liability has now been stopped - so I guess all the recent leavers are stuck with their old rank! I remain your obedient servant, etc..................... Just for the record and based on my former life..........there isn't an official rank of Captain in the Merchant Navy you qualify to command a merchant ship by passing your Certificate of Competency as Master, not Captain!! So you are the Master of a merchant vessel not the Captain! MN retired Edited March 27, 2014 by Brixsmaid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbust Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 In my opinion a 'military' rank is just that, for the military, once they leave they are civillian so its Mr and Mrs. I was also told that when they retire their pension is upgraded to the rank above?? I do wish old chap, what. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DannyNCC Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 They should be proud and so should we!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg Posted March 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 They should be proud and so should we!!!!!! Why?. I can understand if they are war veterans but what about the chap who ran a transport depot in say Yorkshire? The reason I asked the question is that whilst most ex service guys are brilliant, as someone has pointed out on here, some can be jumped up little so and sos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 Why?. I can understand if they are war veterans but what about the chap who ran a transport depot in say Yorkshire? The reason I asked the question is that whilst most ex service guys are brilliant, as someone has pointed out on here, some can be jumped up little so and sos. Anyone can be a jumped up so and so with any little position with the tiniest bit of power they have (or feel they have) The fact remains those men and women sat on duty, and could, at a moments notice, taken up arms to fight a war to defend you, your homeland and your rights against an enemy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delburt0 Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) You should in my opinion use your title within your job when you are in service , just because your a retired colonel doesn't make you better than a retired milkman. (We enter this world with nothing we leave with nothing) Edited March 27, 2014 by delburt0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 You should in my opinion use your title within your job when you are in service , just because your a retired colonel doesn't make you better than a retired milkman . There's nothing stopping a retired milkman using; Milkman J Smith (Retd) is there...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh1 Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 You should in my opinion use your title within your job when you are in service , just because your a retired colonel doesn't make you better than a retired milkman . Retired doctor,judge,senior policeman,any one with an earned title can use it if they wish. Not everyone in the military can use their rank in retirement, there are protocols for it and it is supposed to reflect the office you held. Welsh1, Sapper(Retd) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) I've been lucky enough to go Wimbledon the last 8 years. Same two seats on Centre Court courtesy of a AELTC Member and her Husband who I befriended when I built a house for them a few years back. She was a former player from the 60's and a Wimbledon committee member but sadly passed away 14 months ago. He is a retired General, quite a famous one at that and is still living locally. I see him for a Scotch every now and then... he's into his 90's and is the most pleasant and interesting Gentleman I have ever met. You wouldn't believe who he has met and what he has experienced over his career and lifetime and he has endorsed my FAC and SG renewals a couple of times using his retired rank in the space where it asks for occupation and I never seem to have any trouble. Anyway I digress...The first time we went to the Championships they treated us to Lunch in the members and Afternoon tea on their tab. We arranged to meet outside the members entrance at noon and he would escort us into our table in the members dining room on the top floor. We had arrived some 1/2 an hour earlier and the car park on the golf club opposite church road was wet and muddy ....you guessed it I slipped up and although managed to break my fall my blazer got caked in a layer of thick mud. I got what I could off but it was a mess so I removed it and slipped on a lightweight barbour coat I kept in the car. When we met on the concourse outside centre court I removed it but he politely explained that no member was allowed in without a jacket. I explained what I happened and after a quick mobile call a runner arrived with a spare blazer from his car which was a perfect fit. We had a fantastic lunch and afterwards parted company while they went to No 1.court and we walked through the glass concourse to Centre court to watch the defending men's Champion Federer take on Gasquet, I think it was. Now if you have watched Wimbledon you will know that members of HM Forces, take unpaid leave and volunteer their services throughout the two weeks to aid the public and a utterly splendid job they do too. They couldnt do enough for us, showed us to our seat, extremely polite, called me Sir all day. When we went to the members dining room for afternoon tea, doors were opened, and nothing was too much trouble, I was even saluted a couple of times and even introduced to Mr and Mrs Henman before their sons first round match later that afternoon. I couldn't understand why I was getting all this special treatment and then it was pointed out by a Sergeant on the door that my Cricket club tie was identical to that of the 7th Dragoon Guards and the blazer that the General had loaned me was his own with his regimental buttons and rank insignia on the sleeve and lapel badge... They all thought I was a blooming retired General He's never so presumptuous to use his old rank now though....only because he was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the order of the Bath in 1981 and we affectionately call him Sir.... Edited March 27, 2014 by Fisherman Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rimotu66 Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 There's nothing stopping a retired milkman using; Milkman J Smith (Retd) is there...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) They are just a load of snobs who cares if someone was in the forces at some point in there life as fare as I am concerned there are only three titles that I will use for people be they a tramp or the queen of England depending on there sex it will be Mr Mrs or Miss like it or not. Edited March 27, 2014 by four-wheel-drive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh1 Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 They are just a load of snobs who cares if someone was in the forces at some point in there life as fare as I am concerned there are only three titles that I will use for people be they a tramp or the queen of England depending on there sex it will be Mr Mrs or Miss like it or not. I don't suppose they care that you don't care Does it harm anyone.........................no Does it deprive anyone of anything...no you will find a lot of very senior ranks only use their title when they are doing charity work etc as this helps the charity procure funds. Welsh1, Sapper (Retd) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 They are just a load of snobs who cares if someone was in the forces at some point in there life as fare as I am concerned there are only three titles that I will use for people be they a tramp or the queen of England depending on there sex it will be Mr Mrs or Miss like it or not. I've come to the conclusion of late mate that you either have serious penis deficiency issues or you are in fact a complete **** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 They all thought I was a blooming retired General I've always had you down as Officer Material Mike... Great story, I enjoyed reading that. I've come to the conclusion of late mate that you either have serious penis deficiency issues or you are in fact a complete **** Both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 I've come to the conclusion of late mate that you either have serious penis deficiency issues or you are in fact a complete **** To be honest I could not care less what you think of me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 This is my old regimental insignia. It's worn across the eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh1 Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 This is my old regimental insignia. It's worn across the eyes. Is your motto "the blind leading the blind" lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 It's a hole in a burka isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg Posted March 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 Ninja in the dark with their eyes closed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 It's a hole in a burka isn't it? There's a hole in my Burka.... dear Lisa, dear Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 There's a hole in my Burka.... dear Lisa, dear Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deershooter Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 My mate wanted constable Hall (retired) on his driving licence that was not allowed ,however Captin,Major,and General are ok Double standards Now now in future I will be called "Sergent Deershooter" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts