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Rank in invitation wording

mkay7mkay7 member
First Comment
in Military Brides
My fiancé is a Specialist in the Army National Guard.  We are not having a full military ceremony but he will be wearing his uniform and we will have a lot of military touches.  I'm still confused as to when to add someone's rank on the invitations vs. when to only include his branch.  Also, for ARNG do you include only "United States Army" or "Army National Guard"?

Help???
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Re: Rank in invitation wording

  • kyrgyzstankyrgyzstan member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    You will not put his rank on. It will read,

    Jonathan Alexander Doe
    Unites States Army 

    I wouldn't put NG, but I'm viewing it as similar to putting United States Marine Corps and not United States Marine Corps Reserve. I realize the ANG is a different component of the Army than the reserve component. Hopefully someone like IlovemyTXRanger (who is in the Army Reserve) will pop on and enlighten us. 

    As for rank though, I am 100% sure you do not put his rank in this case. Why etiquette says yes for an O1 and not for an E5 or an E4 in your case is not something I understand, but it is what it is. 
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  • MeepWeddingMeepWedding
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Yeah with my cousins and classmates we always say "Captain Cookie" or "Lieutenant Lettuce" on invites. We do not specify service. That is indeed strange that the etiquette is different for O's and E's.
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  • iluvmytxrgriluvmytxrgr member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_rank-invitation-wording?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:13Discussion:e8d75634-c1d9-419d-8878-ea12f9cf49a3Post:5d0f7cf1-5c88-464c-8f51-31601b9358ca">Re: Rank in invitation wording</a>:
    [QUOTE]You will not put his rank on. It will read, Jonathan Alexander Doe Unites States Army  I wouldn't put NG, but I'm viewing it as similar to putting United States Marine Corps and not United States Marine Corps Reserve. I realize the ANG is a different component of the Army than the reserve component. Hopefully someone like IlovemyTXRanger (who is in the Army Reserve) will pop on and enlighten us.  As for rank though, I am 100% sure you do not put his rank in this case. Why etiquette says yes for an O1 and not for an E5 or an E4 in your case is not something I understand, but it is what it is. 
    Posted by WishIcouldbeinthe'stan[/QUOTE]
    This is mostly correct except the National Guard is a separate entity than the regular Army and Reserves.  Your wedding invite should say:

    John Doe
    United States Army, Georgia National Guard


    Stan is right about the rank, it is not listed on the invite unless he is on officer. 
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  • joiner521joiner521
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    My finace is wearing his Navy Chief dress whites, We are not putting his rank in the program, because nobody really cares. I am marrying him, not the military. After he retires years later, he will be a normal civilian again. Marry him and not his rank ladies.
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  • kyrgyzstankyrgyzstan member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_rank-invitation-wording?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:e8d75634-c1d9-419d-8878-ea12f9cf49a3Post:405d9bf6-49f4-42ae-ba4c-c0ded511a654">Re: Rank in invitation wording</a>:
    [QUOTE] Marry him and not his rank ladies.
    Posted by joiner521[/QUOTE]

    <div>That's pretty sanctimonious. She wasn't trying to show off his rank, she was merely trying to figure out what's proper and traditional. And no, you wouldn't put his rank in your invites, for reasons stated previously. I also find it moderately ironic that you threw in that he's a Chief in your post about not caring about rank. </div>
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  • iluvmytxrgriluvmytxrgr member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_rank-invitation-wording?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:13Discussion:e8d75634-c1d9-419d-8878-ea12f9cf49a3Post:a3a9f210-665e-4ac8-9aed-2714ec4108c9">Re: Rank in invitation wording</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Rank in invitation wording : That's pretty sanctimonious. She wasn't trying to show off his rank, she was merely trying to figure out what's proper and traditional. And no, you wouldn't put his rank in your invites, for reasons stated previously. I also find it moderately ironic that you threw in that he's a Chief in your post about not caring about rank. 
    Posted by WishIcouldbeinthe'stan[/QUOTE]

    Agreed!
    It isn't about marrying his rank.  It is about the propper way of addressing someone.  It is about the etiquette.  I agree with Stan about you sounding sanctimonious and ironic.  I'll even through in slightly biitchy.
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  • calindicalindi member
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Oh, just ignore Joiner, ladies.  Remember when I showed you all what a troll she is and what horrible advice she has?

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    Anniversary

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  • kyrgyzstankyrgyzstan member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_rank-invitation-wording?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:e8d75634-c1d9-419d-8878-ea12f9cf49a3Post:74c10bf0-e244-4889-b3f0-8f4ce2e1673f">Re: Rank in invitation wording</a>:
    [QUOTE]Oh, just ignore Joiner, ladies.  Remember when I showed you all what a troll she is and what horrible advice she has?
    Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]

    <div>I can't keep track!</div>
    I hate Dave Ramsey
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  • jackieandbillyjackieandbilly
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Hmm, wait I still have questions! For the engagement announcement/engagement party invite, my parents did:

    their daughter JM 
    to
    Ensign WPS 

    I told my mom for the wedding inite, it should go:
    Ensign WPS
    United States Navy

    but I'm not sure....any etiquette advice here? I know you don't have to include service when addressing envelopes, but maybe for the invitation? Not sure. Thanks for any help!
    Nimi and Little Bite Photobucket
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  • kyrgyzstankyrgyzstan member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_rank-invitation-wording?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:e8d75634-c1d9-419d-8878-ea12f9cf49a3Post:f3ad22c7-12fd-4aa6-96bb-f97470ae3bf9">Re: Rank in invitation wording</a>:
    [QUOTE]Hmm, wait I still have questions! For the engagement announcement/engagement party invite, my parents did: their daughter JM  to Ensign WPS  I told my mom for the wedding inite, it should go: Ensign WPS United States Navy but I'm not sure....any etiquette advice here? I know you don't have to include service when addressing envelopes, but maybe for the invitation? Not sure. Thanks for any help!
    Posted by jackieandbilly[/QUOTE]

    <div>Because he is a junior officer, the rank would go on the second line, the same as USN.</div><div>
    </div><div>So,</div><div>JM</div><div>to</div><div>WS</div><div>Ensign, United States Navy</div>
    I hate Dave Ramsey
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  • jackieandbillyjackieandbilly
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Oh ok wow I had no idea! This is obv new to both of us, he just graduated in May so I used to write "midn" on all his cards haha. Thanks for all the etiquette advice ladies:)
    Nimi and Little Bite Photobucket
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  • davidshawndavidshawn
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    nice sharing.....
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