Have you ever been treated differently as a "grey" retiree?

MAJ Michele Bretz — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 20:09:04 -0400

I went to SJAG to get a notary signature and was told originally I didn't qualify as a retiree eventhough I had my "pink card" with me. I told the secretary that her sign included "retirees and their family members" and why was I being discriminated? Next I asked to speak to her supervisor and when I asked why the supervisor why she could not see me, she started looking into the regulation and yes, it demonstrated that I was indeed entitled. Note: I only had one page, only one person in the waiting room and .the supervisor left for lunch after I was finished.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 29 at 2015 8:13 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 20:13:31 -0400

Yes, I certainly have been treated differently as a as a "grey area" retiree MAJ Michele Bretz. However, it was not by anybody who was in an official military position since I was transferred since I have not used military offices and do not intend to until I am fully retired.
My shock came after serving from 1974 to 2008 including just under 19 years of active military service, my time as a West Point Cadet, etc. when I was told that I was not authorized to out-process from the military. Every previous assignment I had ever been through I in-processed when assigned and out-processed at the end of the assignment.
Thankfully my wife and I were able to get our military ID cards at Fort Myer.

Response by CMSgt Richard B. made Sep 29 at 2015 8:41 PM

CMSgt Richard B. — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 20:41:07 -0400

Sometimes our regular counterparts aren't familiar with reservists and reserve retirees. I had an issues trying to get an AD personnel office to update my SGLI aftger I got married. They stated that I wasn't eligible and my reserve unit had to do it for me. I told them that I was an Individual Mobilzation Augmentee and belonged to their unit. Still no dice. I then called the Base Commander's "Hotline" and received both a personal response and a published respone in the base newspaper stating that I was correct and the personnel office was not.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 9:34 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 21:34:24 -0400

I can honestly say I was always treated with the utmost respect at every facility I visited. I was grey area for 16+ years.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 12:58 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 00:58:39 -0400

I've been in grey status since 2004 and I have not run into any issues.

Response by SSgt James Connolly made Oct 1 at 2015 8:07 PM

SSgt James Connolly — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 20:07:06 -0400

when did they start issuing pink cards for retirees

Response by MAJ Brian Haddle made Oct 8 at 2015 7:04 PM

MAJ Brian Haddle — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:04:17 -0400

The biggest area where I have seen a difference is when I travel to Korea and I am not allowed to shop at the PX. This is a decision that is left up to the Forces Commander (Three of Four Star General), but I don't think that they have ever bothered to relook the issue since the 60's and 70's when the Republic of Korea was still a very poor nation and black market concerns were justified.