[mbynack]

Military personnel can retire at a rank below the rank in which they served. I believe that General Officer promotions are considered temporary. I was promoted to E-8 and had to stay in the AF for an additional two years in order to retire at that rank. It's called an active duty service commitment. His wearing the 3 star rank could have been an oversight.

One of the things that is pounded into the military is when it is appropriate and when it is inappropriate to wear the uniform. Once you retire you can only wear it for special ceremonies, like a military funeral, Memorial Day, or Independence Day. Even active duty members are prohibited from wearing a uniform at partisan political events.

[TankerKC]

Even active duty members are prohibited from wearing a uniform at partisan political events.

Right. But, I thought a retired person could where it any other time they liked...as long as they wear it properly. I wasn't aware of restricitons.

No worries, though...I just started a three year clock due to a promotion in July.

[TankerKC]

I stand corrected. The AFI says that retirees may where the uniform:

at occasions of military ceremonies, military funerals, weddings, memorial services, and inaugurals
patriotic parades on national holidays, other military parades or ceremonies in which any active or Reserve US military unit is taking part

at educational institutions when engaged in giving military instructions or responsible for military discipline

at social or other functions when the invitation has been influenced by the member's active military service

[MikefromOhio]

I believe that General Officer promotions are considered temporary.

General Officer promotions work the same way as enlisted ones. You have to be in the rank for a certain period of time to retire there. Also, they still do some brevet ranks when there is a major callup of reserves. Generally when the reserves are de-mobilized, the ranks revert.