Bubblehead: I don't think there's a consensus, so I can only say what I was taught in the military when we had washed-up politicians visit. We were told that, in general, former chief executives (Presidents, Governors) are still given the honorific they had as chief executive after they leave office, but former representatives (Senators, Representatives) are not. Therefore, Governor Palin would be correct, as would Mr. Sali, if they were to visit a military post.

Question: Should former Alaska governor Sarah Palin be addressed and referred to as "Gov. Palin"?