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Often, in the military and Naval services, when a serviceman falls deathly ill, or is wounded but does not expire on the field with death being imminent, the service has the latitude to retire him on whatever duty status he is on. Thusly assuring the servicemans’ heirs/estate, benefits IN addition to SGLI and a VA death gratuity.

Some say it is milking the system, but the law enabling such action by the secretary of the service involved allows it under certain conditions.

I had a young Soldier fall gravely ill while under my command. While he pulled through, he was still retired on active duty and probably (if living) has both a VA disability and US Army retired pay for life. The circumstances were not combat related, nor even duty related. Just a near-death illness due to a systemic infection from a small cut incurred after duty hours on his own time.

I have no regrets about assuring that he and his heirs would have been covered doubly by SGLI and retired/VA benefits if he had passed. When I last saw him , he was barely able to function and care for himself, brain damage and a severely weakened immune system. I pray he has regained his health.

Others, died in combat and were not retired on AD, so family received SGLI, VA death benefits etc. But no retired benefits, fair? No, but “ No free lunches for the Dogs of War....”.

Best;