"Is there any standard protocol to use when approaching current or former bosses with a recommendation request?"

Recommend (having just done this) that you explain your situation, then simply ask him for a recommendation. Assuming he says yes, then ask if he'd like you to get him a "draft" of a recommendation. If yes, then you're writing it for his signature. If no, then be ready to give him some bullets of stuff you've done. Most big wigs want to write something a little more detailed than "he's a good dude" and will want to include specifics of some stuff you've done. Do the thinking for him and give him highlights of what you've done. I'd have most of that ready before you start asking, so you can pass it along right away.

"can I pretty much expect to be persona non grata once its out that I'm "quiting"?[/quote]"

Completely depends on your boss. Realistically, every reasonable dude thinks about jumping out around the 8-12 year point. Some dudes simply forget about that fact when they make O-5. I had a couple great bosses when/since I announced my plans to get out. I never got even a hint of a bad attitude out of them and never got penalized at all. If your CC is a good dude, you'll be fine. If your CC just pretends to be a good dude or is an a$$, then all bets are off.