TF3 in Gary, Epps Retired?

While not really sure how Transformers 3 spent the weekend, we at least now know they were in Gary, Indiana once again on Monday filming scenes "inside the crumbling City Methodist Church." According to the Post-Tribune, Michael Bay was directing Tyrese Gibson and others (probably NEST), as they "argued about the alien robot war erupting around them."

Really nothing major revealed but a rather odd note from the article identified a change for Tyrese's character as he was called "Retired Master Sgt. Ray Epps." No idea what this means considering we know the character is in the middle of the action and spotted wearing NEST costumes. Does this mean NEST is no longer part of the US military?