Invitation wording if guests are in the military

Question

I'm inviting a couple I've known for more than 5 years...both husband and wife are in the Navy(or reserves) and both are Chief Petty Officers (E7). Do I address the invitation "Mr. & Mrs. John Doe", "Mr. John Doe and Mrs. John Doe", or use their rank like "Chief John Doe and Chief Jane Doe"....

Answer 1

Definitely NOT Chief John Doe and Chief Jane Doe! I would call them Mr. & Mrs. John Doe or call them what you normally would call them in the last 5 years. That would be the best!

Answer 2

Mr. and Mrs. is perfectly fine for that.

Answer 3

Mr. and Mrs. Doe, or John and Jane Doe

I know there is an old tradition to add the guys name, but thats just it its old, and its outdated in my view it represent the man being superior as was the view in the past. You never see anyone sugest Mr and Mrs Jane Doe. Call a spade for a spade, update to modern and use the last name as is without adding the first name to it. Personaly neither me or my bf will change last name, and someone adressed me like that I'd be offended that they made asumptions on my behalf on such outdated values, I am very proud of my old family name, as do i know my bf is.

Answer 4

It depends on what the invitation is for.  If it is for a party with mostly nonmilitary people invite them as Mr and Mrs John Doe.  If there will be alot of military people then invite them as Chief Boatswains Mate John Doe and Chief Gunners Mate Jane Doe, however if they are both the same rate then just go with Chief Boatswains Mate John and Jane Doe.

Answer 5

Hi Dana:

I would not use their rank.  That is not needed.  The only time a title is usually used is for a medical doctor.  You can NEVER go wrong with using the formal wording, so use:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smtih

Answer 6

I think that Mr. and Mrs. John Doe would be fine.  It is not a military wedding and the title is not necessary.

I do not think I have ever received an invitation using my husbands military rank.