Posted on Feb 5, 2015
Should medically retired get the same certificate as those that did 20+?
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Should people who are medically retired from the service receive the same retirement certificate as those that did the required 20 years or more?
I felt compelled to edit my original post due to the inability of people to decipher its intended message. Nowhere in the original post was I recommending nor advocating diminishing the quality of anyone’s service, in fact I stated that those that served honorably deserve due recognition.
Unfortunately people were so passionate about the subject that they failed to realize that I was actually defending those that served honorably against those that are shirking the system in order to obtain medical retirement.
In short I was merely advocating a different retirement certificate for those that completed the requisite 20 years versus those that didn’t. This is no way makes the service any less valuable it merely allows people to differentiate. However the onslaught of down votes has only re-enforced the fact that voicing your opinion on social media is the fastest way to create a riot despite the failure of the intended targets ability to translate its content.
I felt compelled to edit my original post due to the inability of people to decipher its intended message. Nowhere in the original post was I recommending nor advocating diminishing the quality of anyone’s service, in fact I stated that those that served honorably deserve due recognition.
Unfortunately people were so passionate about the subject that they failed to realize that I was actually defending those that served honorably against those that are shirking the system in order to obtain medical retirement.
In short I was merely advocating a different retirement certificate for those that completed the requisite 20 years versus those that didn’t. This is no way makes the service any less valuable it merely allows people to differentiate. However the onslaught of down votes has only re-enforced the fact that voicing your opinion on social media is the fastest way to create a riot despite the failure of the intended targets ability to translate its content.
Posted in these groups: 
Retirement
Retirement
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 102
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I don't know if your realize this, but those of us that we're "medically" retired don't receive an actual retirement check. Just the disability check for the rated percentage. You on the other hand would get both. Do I deserve to have the honor of receiving the same piece of paper as you? That is your own opinion, but I'll be damned if someone like you will make me and those like me feel less of a Soldier because you are butt hurt that I have the same retirement document as you. I feel like I earned mine, and though was found medically unfit, does not make you a better Soldier than me or anybody else that has served in any capacity.
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SSG Edward Tilton
Doesn't look like mine. I was retired by ABCMR five years after I was seperated. Doesn't matter much. Blue ID doesn't get me more than I had with a brown one. The Army keeps my retired pay because it is less than my VA, and I have to pay for SBP and Dental for the wife. Much Bean Counting keeping many clerk busy.
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Suspended Profile
Ditto!!
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SFC,
I am one of these "unexceptable" retired soldiers who just like you have had a Screaming Eagle on my shoulder. Because I chose to serve this great nation in a country that was not my own helping my brothers and sisters who were hurt or injured I too became injured. Now who is to say that if I had not gotten hurt I would not have done my "required" 20+ ? As far as the military is concerned there is no such thing as a medical retirement. You either are retired or your not.
I am one of these "unexceptable" retired soldiers who just like you have had a Screaming Eagle on my shoulder. Because I chose to serve this great nation in a country that was not my own helping my brothers and sisters who were hurt or injured I too became injured. Now who is to say that if I had not gotten hurt I would not have done my "required" 20+ ? As far as the military is concerned there is no such thing as a medical retirement. You either are retired or your not.
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SSG Michael O'Malley
Also wanted to state that all of this is over a simple piece of paper. Does a piece of paper really mean that much to you? Do regular retirees not get a DD214 as well? I could care less about paper. I know how and why I served and it was not for a selfish reason get get a title of a retiree at the end. Maybe there is a deeper issue inside you that you should reflect on before you run mud in others faces who have given more than just years of service for this country.
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BLUF: HELL YES they should!
I personally feel embarrassed to call you a peer. I hope you don't feel that those who are lower ranking or have less time in the military are somehow inferior to you. Increased rank bears increased responsibility, not just increased privileges.
I'm not sure what I hate more, "leaders" who put themselves on a pedestal, or those who stand on the backs of their subordinates to make themselves somehow bigger than what they really are. We should be doing everything in our power to ensure those junior to us have the tools to be successful and can eventually take our place, not belittling them to justify our own existence.
These people "running around" sporting whatever pride they have in their military service sacrificed for their country deserve our gratitude and respect. The circumstances of their release should have no bearing on the debt their country owes them. So, kindly tell us again, why someone who has honorably served their country and could no longer do so due to severe medical problems should not rewarded with a retirement?
I personally feel embarrassed to call you a peer. I hope you don't feel that those who are lower ranking or have less time in the military are somehow inferior to you. Increased rank bears increased responsibility, not just increased privileges.
I'm not sure what I hate more, "leaders" who put themselves on a pedestal, or those who stand on the backs of their subordinates to make themselves somehow bigger than what they really are. We should be doing everything in our power to ensure those junior to us have the tools to be successful and can eventually take our place, not belittling them to justify our own existence.
These people "running around" sporting whatever pride they have in their military service sacrificed for their country deserve our gratitude and respect. The circumstances of their release should have no bearing on the debt their country owes them. So, kindly tell us again, why someone who has honorably served their country and could no longer do so due to severe medical problems should not rewarded with a retirement?
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So how about somebody that served 20+ AND got hurt/medically retired? Does that mean my piece of paper is now worth more than yours?
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As someone who reenlisted onto active duty after 9-11, I had every intention of serving until I did my 20 years. Now I am facing a medical board and medical retirement due to injuries, chronic pain, and PTSD issues. I'm sorry you feel the way you do, but as others have pointed out: the military considers medical retirement the same as retirement. Perhaps some of us didn't pay into the retirement with 20 years of service, but if you're medically retired you definitely paid for that retirement in other ways.
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SGT Aaron Olivas
@SSG Kenneth Hammes If you ever have questions about the MEB/PEB Process contact me I can help guide you threw the mess if you ever get lost.
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It's just not a good question all together; what's the purpose for even asking? I'm disappointed that a SM would think it is OK to ask this, without thinking for one second how many of our wounded warriors he is about to offend. SFC G, I think you owe some people an apology my friend.
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SFC (Join to see)
Absolutely not, I will not apologize for asking a question about a certificate. The apology should come from people who read my post and some how translated it into my saying those medically retired are lesser humans.
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CW3 Eddy Vleugels
SFC G...you keep digging that hole deeper and deeper, and you keep blaming everyone else for their "inability"...to be able to read your message.
One critical characteristic of being a good leader is to recognize and assess situations, and take appropriate actions; sometimes that means to recognize a mistake you made and to own it and adjust accordingly.
If at this point you are not getting that message, I recommend you take a step back, talk to some of your mentors, seek some advice, and let them explain it to you.
One critical characteristic of being a good leader is to recognize and assess situations, and take appropriate actions; sometimes that means to recognize a mistake you made and to own it and adjust accordingly.
If at this point you are not getting that message, I recommend you take a step back, talk to some of your mentors, seek some advice, and let them explain it to you.
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CSM (Join to see)
Excellent advice CW3 Eddy Vleugels . SFC (Join to see), I second the recommendation. What you thought you said and what was heard were two different things. Your intent might have been pure, but the perception is totally different. Take that step back and figure out where you want to go from here. A different tact is recommended.
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PO3 (Join to see)
Having read what the OP originally posted:
"Should people who are medically retired from the service receive the same retirement certificate as those that did the required 20 years or more?
I am seeing a lot of people running around these days sporting retired clothing, bumper stickers, etc.... and some barely finished 5 years, some even less. I've got it, they served, they were legitimately injured ( some) or they just whined enough to get retired and receive benefits but do they deserve the "Retired" title?
Those that endured the full 20 or more I beleive deserve better recognition.
If I had my way those that didn't do 20 would get a certificate of appreciation for their service. They are already getting the DD214 and other documents verifying their service but a certificate of retirement is too much"
And now what he's edited to:
"I felt compelled to edit my original post due to the inability of people to decipher its intended message. Nowhere in the original post was I recommending nor advocating diminishing the quality of anyone’s service, in fact I stated that those that served honorably deserve due recognition."
I'm gonna have to go with category #2...
"Should people who are medically retired from the service receive the same retirement certificate as those that did the required 20 years or more?
I am seeing a lot of people running around these days sporting retired clothing, bumper stickers, etc.... and some barely finished 5 years, some even less. I've got it, they served, they were legitimately injured ( some) or they just whined enough to get retired and receive benefits but do they deserve the "Retired" title?
Those that endured the full 20 or more I beleive deserve better recognition.
If I had my way those that didn't do 20 would get a certificate of appreciation for their service. They are already getting the DD214 and other documents verifying their service but a certificate of retirement is too much"
And now what he's edited to:
"I felt compelled to edit my original post due to the inability of people to decipher its intended message. Nowhere in the original post was I recommending nor advocating diminishing the quality of anyone’s service, in fact I stated that those that served honorably deserve due recognition."
I'm gonna have to go with category #2...
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I was lucky enough to get my 20 and a piece of paper stating so. I have a feeling most who have been medically retired didn't want to, they wanted to continue their service. They never asked to be retired, it was a medical decision. I think you're a little narrow minded in your thinking. If it was a faker/ slacker who's worked the system to get a medical retirement who's pissed in your soup, sorry, but don't stab those who've honorably served and were medically retired because of their service.
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