The habit of rank

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Rolf Steiner
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The habit of rank

Post by Rolf Steiner »

Morning troopers...

Occurred to me while glued to Yesterday Channel the other night, the blokes who pop up giving their reminiscences on those docs, if they're former officers, are still referred to as such, IE we get General so and so, Major so and so, although they're obviously long out the job. This doesn't seem to apply to former members of the ranks. Is it just an affectation of the officer classes that they continue to 'retain' their rank in civilian life or retirement, or is there some sort of broader etiquette on this?

Regards

Leading Cadet (rtrd) Steiner.
"And I will show you where the Iron Crosses grow!"
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Deiter Hollenstein
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Re: The habit of rank

Post by Deiter Hollenstein »

It may have something to do with officers being typically commissioned into service instead of simply enlisting. That tends to imply a different sort of commitment.
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