MILITARY RETIREES -vs- MILITARY VETERANS THE DIFFERENCE

Since 01-22-07

From: Waspscpo@aol.com [mailto:Waspscpo@aol.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 21, 2007 7:50 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: MILITARY RETIREES -vs- MILITARY VETERANS THE DIFFERENCE

 
Shipmates, Veterans, Military Retirees & Families:

I know this has been around before, but there are still some of us who need to be reminded
of the difference between a military retiree as opposed to a military veteran.  Our politicians
seem to be big offenders of this often misinterpreted belief.

MILITARY RETIREES -vs- MILITARY VETERANS;
THE DIFFERENCE

NOT ALL VETERANS ARE THE SAME: In order to understand the military retiree
medical care broken promise issue it must be understood that not all veterans are the same, in reference to the medical care that was promised at the end of their service to
their country.

MILITARY VETERANS - MILITARY RETIREES: Since all veterans are not the same, for this discussion, one group of veterans will be referred to as military veterans and another group of veterans as military retirees.

MILITARY VETERAN: The term “veteran” means a person who served in the active
military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

MILITARY RETIREE: A military retiree is any former member of the uniformed services
who is entitled, under statute, to retired, retirement, or retainer pay. Examples include,
but are not necessarily limited to, spending 20 or more years in the military or permanent retirement by reasons of physical disability.

All military retirees are veterans, but not all veterans are military retirees. THINK ABOUT THAT!

MILITARY VETERAN and MILITARY RETIREE  -- THE MISUNDERSTANDING:

Many members of the Congress, their staff members, the news media, and the American people don't realize that there is a difference between a military veteran that spends less than 20 years in the military and is discharged and a military retiree veteran that spends 20 to 30 years in the military and retires. They don't seem to understand that medical care promises were made to both groups, but the promises are different.


Military Retirees were promised free medical care for themselves and their eligible dependents for life at Military Treatment Facilities. This person is a military retiree. She spent 20 years in the military and retired. She was promised free medical care for herself and her eligible dependents at military treatment facilities. Since she is also a military veteran she can get medical care at a VA Hospital, or Clinic. However, she can not get medical care for her eligible dependents at a VA Hospital, or Clinic.



Military Veterans were promised medical care at a VA Hospital or Clinic basically for service connected disabilities or medical conditions. This person is a military veteran. He spent 4 years in the military and was discharged. He was promised medical care at a VA Hospital or Clinic.


MILITARY VETERAN and MILITARY RETIREE THE CONFUSION FACTOR:

Some people get confused, concerning this discussion, since a distinction is made between the military veteran and the military retiree.

This distinction is necessary to avoid the confusion that always results when military retiree issues are being discussed and the Congress responds by talking about veteran’s issues instead of military retiree issues.

The military retiree medical care broken promise issue is not a military veteran's issue;
it is a military retiree issue.

In the United States the veterans community numbers about 26.5 million. The military retirees (a subset of the veterans' community) number about 1.8 million.

In fairness to all concerned; the Congress, Congressional Staff Members, the News Media, the American People, all Veterans, and all Veterans Service Organizations, it must be understood that there is a difference between the "military retiree" and the "military veteran" in reference to the medical care that was promised after service to their country.
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Contributed,
YNCS Don Harribine, USN(ret)