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: 108
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If you are transferred to the retired list and qualify for retirement pay, then you have every right to call yourself a retiree. Wear your retiree hat with pride because you earned it. You also have the right to use your rank and others may refer to you by rank.
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Be proud of your service - and it is totally appropriate to call yourself U. S. Navy, Retired.
Had you not sustained injuries that have forced you into a medical retirement you (with 13 years already) more then likely have done at least 20 and gotten a "regular" retirement.
On the issue of being a veteran lobbyist - I think you can use the USN, Retired but that question is out of my wheelhouse.
Had you not sustained injuries that have forced you into a medical retirement you (with 13 years already) more then likely have done at least 20 and gotten a "regular" retirement.
On the issue of being a veteran lobbyist - I think you can use the USN, Retired but that question is out of my wheelhouse.
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Retired is retired, you can't help that it is due to medical instead of making it to 20 or 30 years.
Why on earth would you even doubt? If your character of service is honorable then you have no reason to be anything less than proud.
Why on earth would you even doubt? If your character of service is honorable then you have no reason to be anything less than proud.
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SSgt Robert Clark
And it's not stolen valor. That is the jack wagons who go out and buy a uniform and put every outlandish medal/ribbon/award/rope/badge they can find, with enlisted and officer rank and enough service stripes to show they have been in the military for 40 years, but they are only 20 something years old. You, sir, are not guilty of stolen valor for having to retire before you make 20.
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At least you are getting enough of a Rating to be Retired. I got Medically Discharged yet was only Rated by The Army on ONE injury. It took and is taking me still fighting VA to get mine raised where more than one Doctor has told me it should be based on the problems that I have and the hardware.
You did not chose to be injured. You did not chose to be Disabled. That is a side effect to the Job we do and would continue to do given the chance. I stayed 8 years AFTER my initial injury. (Broken Back) That is why I have as many issues as I have. Along with a Training Accident in Iraq that left me with a moderate TBI.
Anyway, YES you should be proud of your service and the fact that you can call yourself Retired. Just because it's a Medical Retirement doesn't change your service or the fact that you ARE getting a Retirement. Just because you didn't make your 20 changes nothing. You sacrificed more then just Time when you get Injured because Injuries that are Major enough to put you out, are something that WILL effect you the rest of your life.
You did not chose to be injured. You did not chose to be Disabled. That is a side effect to the Job we do and would continue to do given the chance. I stayed 8 years AFTER my initial injury. (Broken Back) That is why I have as many issues as I have. Along with a Training Accident in Iraq that left me with a moderate TBI.
Anyway, YES you should be proud of your service and the fact that you can call yourself Retired. Just because it's a Medical Retirement doesn't change your service or the fact that you ARE getting a Retirement. Just because you didn't make your 20 changes nothing. You sacrificed more then just Time when you get Injured because Injuries that are Major enough to put you out, are something that WILL effect you the rest of your life.
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The legal answer is yes, you are a retiree. You are being retired for medical reasons per military regulations. The common sense answer is up to you: If you are proud of your service and what you have accomplished, then of course, be proud to call yourself a retiree! You earned it and I sure as hell would recognize you as an honorably retired service member!
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SSG Edward Tilton
I went the other way, put on Reserve Status awaiting a Med Board for 4 years. Finally I submitted my VA rating to the ABCMR and was retired. The VA and the Military are supposed to use the same rating system
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The honor of service to one's country lies not in the amount or length of service, but that you served. Always be proud of the contribution you made to the strength of this great nation.
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