Proper Retired Title

[eagle03]

After a doc finishes their ADSO (ex. 4 year HPSP commitment), what is the appropriate way to title or address that retired service member in a letter?

ex. John Smith, MD, Maj, USA (Ret)

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[colbgw02]

If you actually retired, then it would be MAJ(R), but that's not what you've described. To my knowledge, there is no such title; you're just Dr. John Smith, MD, now.

 

[EasyEveryoneWouldDoIt]

retirement means you finished 20 years of active duty time or more or the equivilent and qualify for retirement benefits. completing your ADSO makes you a veteran. at that point you become mr/ms or dr.

 

[deleted480308]

After a doc finishes their ADSO (ex. 4 year HPSP commitment), what is the appropriate way to title or address that retired service member in a letter?

ex. John Smith, MD, Maj, USA (Ret)

That comes at 20yrs, just serving a stint and out doesn’t grant that

 

[orbitsurgMD]

Retired status is different. You are not discharged or de-commissioned, you are put on the retired roll. They actually can recall you to duty if they needed you (they would more likely call you and ask you if you were interested.)

What you are describing is discharge. If you are on IRR, you aren't discharged, only transferred. When you request de-commissioning, you truly become a civilian again. No title except "Dr."

 

[HighPriest]

I refer to them as Freeman. Freeman Smith, MD, in the example above.

 

[Gastrapathy]

Just doctor works

 

[Monty Python]

Agreeing with others; the defining documentation is:

A). Do your ADSO (and perhaps a few additional years, but not enough to reach retirement threshold and nor receipt of benefits), resign and get out with no benefits nor retention of commission. You get a DD-214 which characterizes your service, and you're considered a veteran if certain basic criteria are met. You do not retain your officer title.

Or

B). Meet the published requirements for retirement eligibility. Receive retirement orders (not a DD-214) and a blue retiree ID card (technically a form DD-2). Enjoy lifetime benefits, such as pension, base/post privileges, medical, pharmacy, etc. Retain officer commission in retired status. Still on the personnel rolls, can be involuntarily recalled to active duty.

 

[d2305]

I see this mistake often in the press. The exception is a retirement due to illness or injury. The right sig would be
John Doe CAPT MC USN(Ret) https://www.secnav.navy.mil/doni/SECNAV Manuals1/5216.5 CH-1.pdf