Need FReeper help, with correct abbreviation of title for a retired USMC Lt. Colonel.

MB26

[MindBender26]

Need FReeper help.

Need to write formal letter to a retired USMC Lieutenant Colonel. For Army, abbreviation would be LTC for Lieutenant Colonel. Army uses three-letter abbreviations for all ranks, (PVT, PFC, SGT, SSG, WO1, 2LT, MAJ, etc.)

What does USMC use for a title abbreviation for an 0-5? LTC John Smith, LtCol John Smith, Lt. Col John Smith or ?

After name, USMC or USMC (Ret) or ?

Then in salutation line: Dear Colonel Smith, Dear Lieutenant Colonel Smith, Dear, Lt. Col Smith, Dear LTC Smith, Dear LtCol Smith ????????

What is correct form please?

[MindBender26]

Thanx

[Brian Allen]

Mr

[Brian328i]

This should help you a little: http://www.terrispencer.com/vwv/enlisted_ranks.htm

[SolidRedState]

Sir

[Iam1ru1-2]

Lt Col _____________ USMC (RET)

[T.Smith]

He's retired? "Dear Mr. Smith"

[Doctor Raoul]

US Army is LTC.

[Hand em their arse]

i always wondered what the abbreviation for "shitake" was???? :-)

[Khurkris]

LtCol.(insert name), USMC (ret.)

[XJarhead]

Khurkis is right.

[magellan]

I believe the salutation should be "Dear Colonel Smith".

The abbreviation should be "Lt Col".
See http://www.marinefamily.com/rank.html

[Holly_P]

You said a "formal letter" but I'm guessing that unless he's a real "stuffed shirt" that he won't be that picky about it.

[Psycho_Bunny]

A retired Marine?  I don't know what the proper salutation is but I do know it isn't "Dear Fairypants,"

[XJarhead]

Uh, wait a minute. If you're sending it as the salutation on a letter, its just "LtCol. Smith". Don't add "USMC (ret.)". The latter is appropriate if you are referring to his title in a writing other than a salutation.

[perfect stranger]

abbreviation for "shitake'

FWIW As a cook at different restaurants in my 18 years I have never seen an abbrev. for shitake mushrooms other than "SH" or occasionally "Sh**".

[Khurkris]

Probably so. What I posted is what a buddy who is a retired LtC from the Marines uses when he writes complaint letters -(he forwards copies to me).
I made SSGT. 3 x's and never could figger out if that made me an E-18...seemed logical to me.

[XJarhead]

Heh. Well, what you gave is the correct way to sign a letter if you're the author. The correct salutation in the "Dear ____" sense is shorter.

Cripe, what a gaggle of useless information we manage to acquire.....

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Nope, My Poppa retired as a LTC, went out and took on another job as campus planner for the local college.
I would call, and ask to be connected to Colonel------, and the little twit on the line would say, "sorry, leave a name and number, and Mr.

---

will call You back".
My Poppa was an Officer and a Gentleman, in uniform, or not, and after I got to meet the little twit in person, She never had the guts to try the Mr. thing again.
My Poppa was on MacAuthurs staff in WW2, and still in uniform until 1970, and He cried when He had to retire, the first damned tears I ever saw Him shed. He was the Colonel until He died in 96, so take Your Mr. crap, and put it where the Sun don't shine. Poppa would have been a General, but He was too damned honest to handle the politics of it.
I hope I did not offend You, if so, I really hope You will get over it, goodnight!

[Brian Allen]

<< He was the Colonel ... >>

I still am.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

And, Sir, I'll never call You Mister.
The anti military fervor was obvious in the college My Dad joined as campus planner when He retired from the military.
He was willing to shrug it off, I was not. I believe He was pleased to see Me take them on, and I always enjoyed it, thouroughly. I'll go to bat for You as well, Colonel.