Posted on Sep 5, 2015
Medical retirement, should I be proud to be Retired?
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I've served the Navy for the last 13 years. I live, breathe and die Navy. My wife and I meet in the Navy.
After going through my multiple deployments of Detainee Operations. I am going through a MED/PEB. They are going to find me somewhere from 30-100% disabled. According to my PEBLO and Navy Safe Harbor representatives Medical Retirement is going to happen, because of my "Combat" injuries, their words not mine.
Should I be proud to call myself a retiree? Is it stolen Valor to wear Navy Retired hats and shirts? I work as a Veteran lobbyist, is it ok to use the title USN(ret)?
This may all sound dumb, but I'm struggling to accept any of this and I didn't join the Navy for a Medical retirement but to retire after 20 years.
Thanks for the help!
After going through my multiple deployments of Detainee Operations. I am going through a MED/PEB. They are going to find me somewhere from 30-100% disabled. According to my PEBLO and Navy Safe Harbor representatives Medical Retirement is going to happen, because of my "Combat" injuries, their words not mine.
Should I be proud to call myself a retiree? Is it stolen Valor to wear Navy Retired hats and shirts? I work as a Veteran lobbyist, is it ok to use the title USN(ret)?
This may all sound dumb, but I'm struggling to accept any of this and I didn't join the Navy for a Medical retirement but to retire after 20 years.
Thanks for the help!
Retirement
Navy
PTSD
Disabled Veteran
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 113
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Unless you have a terrible SRB and other than honorable discharge why wouldn't you be proud? Life happens, you served honorably, now have medical issues. That does not take away from your honorable service Sir.
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Based on your words it is very evident that you are proud that you volunteered and more importantly that you served and answer the call of our Nation to go into harms way PO2 (Join to see). Should you be proud you served, and proud to be retired? Hell Yeah, You EARNED It!
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Yes PO2 (Join to see) I think you should be both proud that you served the Navy that you and your wife both love and thankful that you are still breathing and able to retire honorably having met the requirements.
You served where the Navy assigned you and you were injured during combat as the record states. The Military Service dictates the retirement rules - sometimes they are for 20 years, other times for 15 years and in cases like your for medical reasons. If Navy retires you then are are retired and have the right to consider yourself retired.
You served where the Navy assigned you and you were injured during combat as the record states. The Military Service dictates the retirement rules - sometimes they are for 20 years, other times for 15 years and in cases like your for medical reasons. If Navy retires you then are are retired and have the right to consider yourself retired.
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LTC Stephen F.
PFC Robert Falk - I am sorry to learn that. Perhaps some RallyPoint members who live nearby could help out.
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LTC (Join to see)
PFC Robert Falk, I would talk to a VA social worker who can go over programs that can help you find programs, both in and out of the VA, that can assist you, your wife and child to include social security disability and/or SSI. There are also VA, other government and private nonprofit programs that help veterans with training and job placement. Good luck to you.
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PO2 Geoffrey Bieniek
Try these folks out first Robert Falk, Arkansas
http://www.veteranownedbusiness.com/browse.php?state=AR&category=1611&search=
If you get nowhere, call these folks.
Ms. Alicia “Cissy” Rucker
Director
Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs
2200 Fort Roots Drive,
Building 65, Room 119
North Little Rock, AR 72114
Phone: [login to see]
Fax: [login to see]
e-mail: [login to see]
Deputy Director: Charles Johnson
e-mail: [login to see]
Executive Assistant: Donna Taylor
e-mail: [login to see]
Communications Director: Kelly Ferguson
e-mail: [login to see]
If they dont help you, reach out to me
http://www.veteranownedbusiness.com/browse.php?state=AR&category=1611&search=
If you get nowhere, call these folks.
Ms. Alicia “Cissy” Rucker
Director
Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs
2200 Fort Roots Drive,
Building 65, Room 119
North Little Rock, AR 72114
Phone: [login to see]
Fax: [login to see]
e-mail: [login to see]
Deputy Director: Charles Johnson
e-mail: [login to see]
Executive Assistant: Donna Taylor
e-mail: [login to see]
Communications Director: Kelly Ferguson
e-mail: [login to see]
If they dont help you, reach out to me
Veterans Service Offices (VSO) | Arkansas | Veteran Owned Business Directory
Veterans Service Office (VSO) assists Veterans and their dependents in preparing claims for benefits or privileges to which they may be entitled as administered by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans Services Offices (VSO) may be county or city based.
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Like so many statuses, the government defines "retired", we don't. You served, they retired you, end of story. They will call you retired, so you will be retired. It is certainly NOT stolen valor to represent yourself according to your given status.
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Simple answer is HELL YES! You have accomplished what many can't or are not willing to do. And that is serve this country. There will always be situations and problems beyond our control. You served honorably.
"Honorably" lets look at that word.
1. In accordance with or characterized by principles of honor.
2. Dignity, or distinction, noble.
3. Worthy of honor and high respect.
4. Bringing honor or credit; consistent with honor.
You Sir, should stand proud amongst your brothers and sisters. And we thank you for your service.
"Honorably" lets look at that word.
1. In accordance with or characterized by principles of honor.
2. Dignity, or distinction, noble.
3. Worthy of honor and high respect.
4. Bringing honor or credit; consistent with honor.
You Sir, should stand proud amongst your brothers and sisters. And we thank you for your service.
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P02 Little, you may be thinking too far into the reality of early retirement. You raised your right hand and wrote blank checks for your life. Leaving the service to our nation and humanity with Honorable discharge paperwork in hand says ALL that needs to be said of your courage, selfless service and devotion to us all. Thank you for your service and sacrifices. May you and your family live long prosperous lives.
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Why would you be anything but proud of your service regardless of the number of years served?
As you said its not your choice, your being medically retired due to your medical conditions.
Being medically retired is retired no special salutation is required, just like being a veteran, whether it be 2 years or 40 years your a veteran, sure you deployed in various campaigns but those campaigns don't make or break your veteran status.
I don't want to sound like an ass, but I know I am going to and so be it.
Accept what it is and stop biting your nails worrying if someone will look at you differently because your medically retired, trust me not one of those couch potato warriors is signing your check.
As you said its not your choice, your being medically retired due to your medical conditions.
Being medically retired is retired no special salutation is required, just like being a veteran, whether it be 2 years or 40 years your a veteran, sure you deployed in various campaigns but those campaigns don't make or break your veteran status.
I don't want to sound like an ass, but I know I am going to and so be it.
Accept what it is and stop biting your nails worrying if someone will look at you differently because your medically retired, trust me not one of those couch potato warriors is signing your check.
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Mike,
Be proud to call yourself a "veteran" Shipmate. I retired with a bit more than 30 years in and rarely use the term "retired" other than occasionally in correspondence or in cases of legal requirements. Other than that, it is a rarely used term and does not matter to me. Everyone must act according to their own conscience. I am a Navy Veteran...(EOM)/AR.. Cheers!
Be proud to call yourself a "veteran" Shipmate. I retired with a bit more than 30 years in and rarely use the term "retired" other than occasionally in correspondence or in cases of legal requirements. Other than that, it is a rarely used term and does not matter to me. Everyone must act according to their own conscience. I am a Navy Veteran...(EOM)/AR.. Cheers!
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