How To Write Retired Military Rank And Name . The history of the title colonel begins with spanish colunelas in 1505. Include full rank, name, and the branch they served in for official letters. How to Address Wedding Invitations Southern Living from www.southernliving.com Instead, use retired just as former would be used before the title of a civilian: Use the formula of title of address + last name to address service members. In informal correspondence, use the conventional titles ‘ms’, ‘mr’, ‘mx’, ‘mrs’ or ‘dr’ to australian defence force personnel of the following ranks and below: