When the bride, groom or a parent is in the military, you can use these wording examples for proper formatting of your invitations. It also may be a good idea to look up other qusetions about correct format in the Service Etiquette book.

When the groom is a member of the armed services or on active duty in the reserve forces, he uses his military title.

For officers whose rank is captain in the army or lieutenant, senior grade, or higher in the navy, the title should appear on the same line as the name:

Colonel Gregory O’Connor, United States Army

Those with lower ranks should have their name and title listed in this form:

John Harper

Ensign, United States Navy

For reserve officers on active duty, the second line would read “Army of the United States” or “United States Naval Reserve.”

First and second lieutenants in the army both use “Lieutenant” without the numeral.

A noncommissioned officer or enlisted person may, if preferred, include rank and branch of the service below his/her name.

Lori Cray

Corporal, Signal Corps, United States Army

High-ranking officers of the regular armed forces should continue using their titles, followed by their branch of service, even after retirement, with “retired” following the branch of service.

General Omar Cooper

United States Army, retired

If the father of the bride is a member of the armed forces, either on active duty or retired, he uses his title in the regular way:

Colonel and Mrs. James Booth

request the honor of your presence

If the bride is on active duty, both her rank and military branch are included, such as:

marriage of their daughter

Joanne Grace Cooper

Lieutenant, United States Navy