What is the proper salutation for retired military personnel?

Answer 1

That would primarily depend on whether they retired as an enlisted man, or as an officer. It would also depend on your familiarity with the individual.

In general, you would just refer to them as Mr. Whatshisname, or Mrs. Whatshername.

Exceptions are usually for Field Grade Officers (Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel) and General Officers (Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, General). In these cases, you would use their working title:

Major : Major Whatshisname (Abbreviated MAJ)

Lieutenant Colonel : Colonel Whatshisname (Abbreviated LTCOL)

Colonel : Colonel Whatshisname (Abbreviated COL)

All general titles : General Whatshisname (Abbreviated BGEN, MGEN, LGEN, GEN)

Enlisted personnel do not usually require special salutations in general. Exceptions are for those persons with whom you're personally familiar with, and those are usually only high ranking enlisted personnel including:

Navy Chief Petty Officer : "Chief"

Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant : "Gunny"

Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant : "Master Gunny"

Army/Marine Corps Sergeant (or higher) : "Sarge"

Always use discretion, as some persons would rather be considered civilians, and be referred to as such.