I READ with interest the comments made by one of your readers concerning the use of formal ranks of gentlemen who have served in the armed forces (Letters, December 5).

I would like to point out to him that the use of using former ranks is a privilege afforded to commissioned officers of the army, navy and air force.

It is a tradition of the British armed forces and is in no way anything to do with the egos of these gentlemen, who I may add are in the main real gentlemen who are justly proud of their achievements as ex-CSMs in the British Army with 25 years' experience.

I think I can speak with real conviction on this matter. They are not bigheaded or showing a better-than-you attitude.

I would say that 99 per cent of the officers I have come into contact with during my service were very approachable and easy to get on with, with no edge whatsoever. In fact, men who in most cases their troops would run through a brick wall for.

The use of former ranks in civilian life is a time-tested tradition by those who have held the sovereign commission. They mean no disrespect to others by using their former rank and long may this tradition continue.

It is rarely used by anyone below the rank of Major; I have very rarely if at all heard anyone addressed as Captain or Lieutenant.

Your reader seems very bitter for some reason best known to him; he signs his letter as 'Time Served.' Eighteen months National Service perhaps? And before anyone writes in, I am not knocking the National Service soldier of yesteryear. I served with them and in the main they were great lads who knuckled down to their military service without much complaint.

If fact, it is a pity National Service were not in force today, then we would have less problems with today's youth.

As for 'Time Served' I would say grow up for goodness sake and save your comments for something you know about.

Ex-CSM British Army

Name and address supplied