quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
Something that has irritated me every time I see it is the inclusion of this beneath this persons signature when it has nothing to do with anything. Say John works for the Parks Department. He will sign his correspondence, as it relates to park related business as follows:


John Doe
Any City Parks Department
United States Marines

Is that ok?

Yeah...I don't do that because it's not relevant to my job. Yes, I spent 25 years in uniform--it doesn't belong on my professional correspondence for my employment.

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:

I was with the 1st Marine Division

All these years, and I never knew that you were a Marine!

TMK, it was common for retired officers to list their rank in personal correspondence- but that was also an era where people didn’t expect a retired officer to have a second career.

In my industries it is common and expected to list advanced designations, licenses, and degrees (Graduate and above, everyone should have a bachelors degree or you wouldn't be in my fields)as appropriate to the nature of the business.

For example...as a real estate appraiser, holding a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser License...means something. Holding active and current MAI & AI-GRS designations also means something. So correspondence from that work email, would have those designations listed. Same with the business card that corresponds with real estate appraisal and consulting of real property valuation services.

I carry 4 different business cards. The appropriate titles, designations and licenses are only mentioned on the appropriate card. I use several different email signatures. Same thing. I wouldn't preface my name for aircraft repair work with "Rev." That would look and be stupid: Rev. AKSuperDually, A&P/IA no.

I've got a certain bank client who's failed appraiser (never completed his license) puts his Masters of arts (MA) on all his correspondence. I've been tempted to put all of my degrees, designations, certificates, and licenses around my name every time I correspond with him. If he had an MBA, that might be something...but in banking and finance...no one cares that you went to school to be a social worker.

More inline with the OP's point...I remember when there was a phase a while back to link your TWS (together we served) ribbon rack in the signature. I think we did it here also? I don't remember if it was here or elsewhere. It was a novelty at the time.

Lately I don't even like the trend of changing your public avatars to pictures of yourself in uniform for veterans day. Maybe I'm just over the ungrateful nation thing, if I have to tell you I served, then we aren't close enough and I'm not sure I care. But then...I've got several vehicles with veteran plates, so I'm just as guilty as everyone else.

I don't refer to myself as "retired military" because in the community of service men and women, "retired" means something. I separated after my last contract with 18 months left required to be eligible for "retirement" though that means something different as a traditional guardsman. I only have 12 years of active service time, FAR from the 20 year minimum for an active duty retirement. I would have enlisted for another 36 months (minimum possible at the time) to complete the 18, but physically I couldn't do it anymore. If I had, I would have gotten easier base privileges but not BX/Commissary privileges, and I wouldn't collect a cent in retirement until I turned 65. I'll be the most surprised person in the world if I live that long. I have base access for VA and Hospital access anyway. Guard retirements aren't great, but I don't have any regrets leaving Active Duty for guard service. Like I said...I've got a little over 12 years of active time. I'm glad I was nowhere near the service when the fauci ouchi came around.

I fought in the Great Meme War of 2016. Should I sign my correspondence with my ifunny screen name?

I served 23+ years and retired. Yet, I don't put that kind of stuff in my signature line. I also don't put my ribbon rack on the back window of my truck, fly a USAF flag outside my door, or even wear a 'USAF Retired' hat. The most I will do is wear my 'Afghan War Vet' hat maybe once or twice a year (Memorial Day parade when a bunch of vets would march to honor those already gone) and maybe Veteran's Day). Now that I think about it, I don't even OWN a "USAF Retired" hat.

People have differing opinions about this, obviously. I would never put "USAF Retired" under my signature, as in OP's example. IMO, it's just not relevant.

Some people seem to be trying awfully hard to draw attention to themselves and their service (like the 'military vets' who got kicked out of boot camp or tech school, yet still go to Golden Corral for their free buffet on Nov 11). I always question the motives of those people.


There was a guy on 9/11 who was discharged from the Marines after 4-6 years. He kept his uniform in his truck. When the crap hit the fan in NYC or DC (can't remember which), he put the uniform back on and directed traffic or something. Press called him a 'hero.' I've always thought there was something fundamentally wrong with this guy and his actions (I have my old uniforms, but I don't keep them in my TRUCK ready to wear like I'm Batman or something. . .).

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by Fenris:
Huh? That seems to cover all possibilities except maybe "Never Served".

Most folks who serve in the military don't retire from the military, which requires 20+ years of service (or an earlier disability retirement).

If dude did an enlistment stint in the Marines and then left after his contract ended, or even reupped and did a few stints but didn't hit 20, he's not "retired".

Senior moment.

Under a name, with a bit of background military history, give a small window of insight when someone posts an opinion. Hope mine hasn't cause any emotional damage.

quote:

Originally posted by Hound Dog:
(I have my old uniforms, but I don't keep them in my TRUCK ready to wear like I'm Batman or something. . .).

If you can still get into them, you are a better man than I am.

I actually looked yours up sometime ago. Was not familiar with the mos.

quote:

Originally posted by Ranger41:

quote:

Originally posted by Hound Dog:
(I have my old uniforms, but I don't keep them in my TRUCK ready to wear like I'm Batman or something. . .).

If you can still get into them, you are a better man than I am.

Nah, that MilSpec stuff shrinks. . .

I could probably wear the boots and the caps.

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:
I think it’s more of a networking tool than anything else. “Oh you were in the Marines. Me too. I was with the 1st Marine Division…” and they build a common bond or understanding from there.

That is my main motive. I have connected with lots of other veterans from the period of my military service, including other paratroopers and pathfinders. I've also connected with other retired cops, including a couple I knew many years ago.

I am not retired military, but I am a two-tour Vietnam combat veteran with service-connected disability benefits. It's part of who I am.

quote:

Originally posted by abnmacv:
Under a name, with a bit of background military history, give a small window of insight when someone posts an opinion. Hope mine hasn't cause any emotional damage.

Bingo! "abnmacv" tells me he is an airborne trooper who served in the Military Assistance Command-Vietnam. The signature line includes 11F4P which was also my primary MOS (military occupational specialty, 11F = Infantry Operations & Intelligence, 4 = skill level equivalent to Sergeant or Staff Sergeant, P = parachute qualified). His Vietnam service years 1969-70 are the same as my first tour, so we may have eaten some of the same dirt.

Some of these things can tell a story that some of us can understand.

There’s a young guy I work with who has “US National Guard” listed on his email signature LOL. He’s currently in the NG so I know he’s legit but it bugs me a little.

There’s no such animal and he should know that.

I served and have degrees.

So?

Who gives a rat's arse?

Some people feel that their military service makes them special, even entitled. Others just can't move forward from living in the past.

One of my coworkers will steer every conversation into a story from his military service. He is also the guy who will always ask for a military discount everywhere, and then act disrespected when they don't offer one. Our manufacturing techs run about 75% ex military and probably half of those are retired. Most of us avoid having anything to do with him.

I'm proud of my 20 years in the Navy, but I don't expect anyone else to care.

Am I the only retired military here who feels a just little bit guilty when someone thanks me for my service? I hear that little voice inside giggle and say "if you only knew how much fun you paid me to have…."

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
...and NO, I don't cite my military service on any correspondence period. Here I agree with the OP...stupid and unnecessary.

--------------------

Nor do I, I proudly served but I never sign anything as 'Veteran'. However I do wear a ball cap from time to time with the USAF Veteran symbol when I'm out.

It's like listing your pronouns. Attention seeking behavior.

Sorry for not being as clear as I could have been when I originally posted. I certainly have no issue with somebody using that in their forum signature.

quote:

it was common for retired officers to list their rank in personal correspondence-

I encounter this regularly, and have no issue with it at all.

quote:

it is common and expected to list advanced designations, licenses, and degrees

I also encounter this regularly, and don't have an issue with it either.

quote:

Some people seem to be trying awfully hard to draw attention to themselves and their service (like the 'military vets' who got kicked out of boot camp or tech school, yet still go to Golden Corral for their free buffet on Nov 11). I always question the motives of those people.


There was a guy on 9/11 who was discharged from the Marines after 4-6 years. He kept his uniform in his truck. When the crap hit the fan in NYC or DC (can't remember which), he put the uniform back on and directed traffic or something.

That's probably a great example that would strike me the same way. If John Doe was showing up to his Parks Department job in his military uniform, or wearing his dress uniform to accept the city's employee of the month award, I'd have that same gut feeling. WTF?

I don't believe the guy is pretending to be something that he isn't, I just don't understand why he's advertising it in a completely unrelated environment.

quote:

Originally posted by SpinZone:
Some people feel that their military service makes them special, even entitled. Others just can't move forward from living in the past.

One of my coworkers will steer every conversation into a story from his military service. He is also the guy who will always ask for a military discount everywhere, and then act disrespected when they don't offer one. Our manufacturing techs run about 75% ex military and probably half of those are retired. Most of us avoid having anything to do with him.

I'm proud of my 20 years in the Navy, but I don't expect anyone else to care.

Am I the only retired military here who feels a just little bit guilty when someone thanks me for my service? I hear that little voice inside giggle and say "if you only knew how much fun you paid me to have…."

Sincerely, thank you for committing a significant portion of your life to service in the US Navy.

Our experiences are a little different. When I returned from Vietnam the first time in 1970, and the second time in 1971, there were no friendly folks telling us "Thanks for your service". There were angry protestors throwing bags of human excrement at us. There were employers refusing to hire veterans. There were college campuses refusing to allow ROTC or recruiters, and harassing students who happened to be veterans. There were apartment complexes and property management companies refusing to rent to military or veterans. In Washington DC most government buildings were protected by sandbagged machinegun positions and armed National Guard troops.

Glad you were well paid to have some fun. I had a little fun as well, but also had shrapnel wounds to both legs, chest, shoulder, arm, back, buttocks, and bullet wounds to my arm and head. Medical care was free, but my salary as a Sergeant E5 in Vietnam was $248.75 per month (a bit less than minimum wage), plus combat pay $65/month. We made our own beds, usually with a shovel to dig the hole. A week or so in the bush, then back to base camp, burn your clothing, peel the flesh from your rotting toes, and try to recover for the next little adventure in tropical paradise.

I do not solicit veteran discounts. The folks at Discount Tire took notice of my Purple Heart license plates and applied their 10% discount to a new set of Michelins, and I thought that was very nice; sure beat facing an angry mob at an airport screaming obscenities at anyone in a uniform.

As long as we are sharing our thoughts and comparing perspectives, you know?