We also had a couple guys pull the 'it costs too much' card, and were crushed by the administration. ...Especially since they had already taken the money for the basic ring out of our paychecks since I-Day. (Don't know if that's the case or not now.)
I alternated between wearing/not wearing mine for a long time, mainly for some stupid reasons, before deciding to start wearing it again when I came back from my last deployment. At which point, the little fucker fell out of my (torn) cargo pocket while conducting some post-gas chamber hazing of TRICARE employees.
I've debated getting another one for a few months now, but just have never gotten around to it. When I mentioned the idea to my wife, she got all defensive and told me that I should not, under any circumstances, go buy another. Which tells me that my requests for firearm related presents are still falling on deaf ears.
If anyone happens to find my USNA ring (last seen in the vicinity of the Artist Formerly Known as the Cherry Point Naval Hospital), I'd be glad to cough up cash AND alcohol as compensation. Not that I expect to see the ring again, but if anyone happens to see it...
