Medical retirement, should I be proud to be Retired?

Hi, Michael! Retiree is retiree, regardless of the source. Once you are retired, you are a Navy Retiree, so go ahead and wear that hat. The Navy made the decision for you to retire, not you, so be proud of your service and continued service to veterans.

Mr. Little,
I find myself in the same quandary.
I served 7 1/2 years, was going to make it a "career", but in the middle of my tour, I started getting sick.
They thought I had a stroke, because of 1/2 my face went numb, lost my eyesight and gait was like I was drunk.
They rushed me to Queen's Hospital in London where they gave me a primary diagnosis of a demyelinating disease of the brain. They sent me to an Air Force hospital for a spinal tap ( they were unable to drawn any cerebral spinal fluid ), so they Medevaced me to Bethesda Naval Hospital.
To make a long story short, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, I am a 100% Service Connected Disabled Veteran. I thank GOD every day I got sick while I was in the Navy, for ONE of my Rx's cost $18,000 a year. I was on that script for 5-6 years before I had 7-8 Heart attacks at 45 over one weekend!!!! Dummy me, I thought I was having heartburn....So I drive myself to the VA, describe my symptoms, and they call a code on me! Five minutes later I was in the heart lab......
It pains me that I could not fulfill my life to the Navy.
I still think about it every day, the good, the bad and all the inbetween ....
But I AM proud that I did serve. I only wish I could still serve.
Sorry for rambling on.......
Thank you for your Service Sir!
God Bless you and your wife, and God Bless the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

Anybody that serves and survives should be proud and content, regardless of the circumstances, as long as one served honorably. Arlington Cemetery and many graveyards all over the World and USA are full of people that didn't survive, and made the ultimate sacrifice. So to live and be able to tell about it is an achievement to be proud of. All gave some, some gave all.

I was in for less. I am 70% service connected and Honorably Discharged. My team was the best in the wing. I am DAMN proud. This pride isn't measured by a calendar. Neither is valor, dedication or honor.

What does the DD214 say? You a screw up? I really doubt it - so be a retired VET! You did your job to the best of your ability. Not your fault you get a med retirement. Just be glad they are taking responsibility for the way you are now. Get out and enjoy life after service.

If you are medically retired then you are retired. The only people that piss me off are the guys who put in four years that claim there retired.

First off, GO ARMY, BEAT NAVY. lol. But yes you should treat yourself as a retiree. I was medically retired in July 2014. I served 14 years honorably. I have an ID that's says RETIRED. It doesn't specify what kind of retirement. But hey. A retirement is a retirement. Enjoy it and never think anything less of your service.

You were hurt on duty serving your country; IMO nothing more noble regardless of the circumstances. Your not stealing a damn thing wear what you want proudly, you earned that right for 13 years of service.

You did your time. the military deiced to retire you for an inhury beyond your control. You have nothing to question. You are an honorably retired person.

There is nothing for you to feel "ashamed" of or less than due to being medically retired because of combat injuries. You have every right to wear anything you like as far as retired gear goes, and yes it is ok to use the USN(R), just because you are medically retired does not mean you are not retired, wear and use the title with pride! Remember, you have still done more than 99% of your fellow citizens by serving!!