Are sailors always considered sailors?

Interesting question. I once heard a SEAL say that when they receive their Trident, they are admonished that it is "earned" every day. I believe I've heard similar sentiments from other Special Operations personnel, and it's a concept that the older I become, the more I agree with. Tradition, most of it very positive, encourages us to treasure our former identities as something "no one can take from us"...and I agree, up to a point. Perhaps the only person who CAN take it away from us is ourselves. In that sense, while I'm VERY proud to have BEEN a "Sailor", I can't in good conscience state that I wish to be judged now by such a narrow indicator. Instead, I'd rather someone measure me by what and who I currently am.

Many have said our oath of enlistment or office has no expiration date. We are all still military service members sworn to support and defend the Constitution. I took that oath when commissioned, when augmented to the Regular Air Force, when promoted to Maj and Lt Col and several years later when starting my employment as an Army Civilian. It's lifetime obligation regardless of Service or status. Each of us remains a Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman, or Coast Guard person. If you happen to have served in more than one Department or Service, then I suppose you could pick the one you like best.

The "Once a Marine, Always a Marine" phenom has been carefully developed over the years. The fact that there are fewer Marines and the emphasis placed upon our being a unique breed of person (good or bad), as well as official recognition by the CMC that Marines off active duty have made significant contributions to the Corps in the past, and even contributed to its survival after WWII furthers the mystique.
Do sailors, airmen, coasties and even soldiers share a similiar bond to their service? Undoubtedly, but the Marines make a point of it.