Robert Irvine Foundation
Michael Negrete
U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard Veteran
Michael Negrete is a dual-service veteran whose life has been shaped by dedication to country, resilience in the face of adversity, and a deep commitment to helping others. Originally from South Texas near San Antonio, Michael spent part of his childhood at Hahn Air Force Base in Germany, where his father was stationed, before settling near Corpus Christi. Inspired by his family's long and proud tradition of military service—including a grandfather who served in both World Wars and a father who deployed during Vietnam—Michael enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after high school.
Michael began his military career as an 0351 Infantry Assaultman in the Marine Corps, serving as a SMAW Team Leader, member of his unit’s Honor Guard, and earning two meritorious promotions. He later transitioned to the U.S. Coast Guard, where he served as an Electronics Technician (Electronic Warfare) during the Cold War and Persian Gulf War eras. His Coast Guard service included maritime law enforcement with the Blue Lightning Strike Force, multinational naval operations, and electronic warfare aboard ships including the USCGC Acushnet (WMEC 167) and USCGC Campbell (WMEC 909).
He graduated from the Navy Electronic Warfare School in Pensacola, FL, and the Air Force NCO Academy in Little Rock, AR—where he earned the Air Force Citizenship Award for professionalism and leadership.
Michael’s duty stations and missions took him to Guantánamo Bay, Columbia, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Bermuda, Haiti, and beyond. But in 2001, his journey changed dramatically when a cervical spinal cord injury (C4-6 ASIA-B) left him with incomplete quadriplegia. After acute treatment at UMass Worcester, he underwent inpatient rehabilitation at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston.
In 2008, Michael joined Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA). In 2014, through a serendipitous article in PN Magazine, he discovered he was eligible for specialized SCI care through the VA. With help from PVA’s National Service Officers, he successfully enrolled and began receiving life-changing support—from healthcare and prosthetics to adaptive vehicle funding. Michael describes the experience as “completely life-changing for both me and my wife Terry.”
Beyond receiving care, Michael stepped up to serve. He joined the New England Chapter of PVA’s Board of Directors in 2015, was elected President in 2017, and currently serves as the Chapter’s National Director, Communications Director, and Editor of the newsletter CordWord. He also lends his expertise to PVA’s National Finance and Budget Committee and was appointed by PVA National President David Zurfluh to serve on a special ad hoc Chapter Hearing Panel. He has advocated in Washington, D.C., representing the needs of veterans before Congressional delegates.
Wellness Program _
Mobius iBOT Recipient
In 2022, thanks to the generous support of Service Credit Union, the Robert Irvine Foundation proudly awarded Michael a Mobius iBOT® Personal Mobility Device. With its advanced, multi-terrain technology, the iBOT has significantly expanded Michael’s independence and quality of life—allowing him to engage with his community, attend events, and live more freely.
Michael lives in Milford, New Hampshire, with his wife Terry and their beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Storm. He is a proud father to his daughter, Ashley, who also lives nearby. Outside of his work and advocacy, Michael enjoys concerts, Broadway shows, and traveling—with a special love for Las Vegas and road trips throughout the Northeast.
Michael’s story is a testament to service, perseverance, and the importance of empowering veterans with the tools they need to reclaim their freedom and thrive.