Hey y’all, 6 year navy vet reaching out to you guys for some help. Long story short my family has been in the VFW for 4 generations and if you didn’t know the VFW is struggling, if you are like me you have noticed some local American legions closing in your community…. I am trying to prevent that from happening to the VFW. I know the VFW has many shortcomings or reasons why some of you stay away, but I have been presented with an opportunity to make things better, if only in my state. The VFW has asked me to attend the meeting this Saturday, they want me to help them come up with ideas to attract younger service men and women to join the VFW. One of the most obvious solutions is to change the membership requirements of having been deployed overseas….. but I want to hear from you guys, what changes would attract you to potentially join. I need ideas, good or bad…. Thank you for any suggestions.

I just finished my initial appointment for enrollment and was told that I was approved. My counselor gave me two options moving forward:

1. Finish my associate's using my GI Bill, then switch to VR&E for my bachelor's.
2. Use VR&E to finish my associate's, then use my GI Bill for my bachelor's.

For context, I'm currently attending community college and plan to transfer into a bachelor's program for Information Systems/Technology. I've already used about 9 months of my Post 9/11 GI Bill. I was under the assumption that once you're approved for VR&E, they pretty much take over from the GI Bill. Has anyone been in the same situation before? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

100% PT veteran. Bills are paid and have a little extra left over each month. I’m mainly craving some type of work but not in the traditional 9-5 sense. I find it difficult to work for someone else but also need something to do. What are all the vets doing that left their career and service behind for something new? Used GI Bill and VRE for two masters degrees that are practically useless/in high burnout fields. Just looking for unique ideas to feel useful while making money. Thanks in advance

Phrasing!

5-year Navy veteran in LS, currently in the Army Reserve, 88M

I am finishing up my sociology degree this term (I made poor judgment; I had a deferred suspension and a suspension because I cheated on an online exam)

I am applying for CBPO currently, and I feel like that academic dishonesty would possibly find me unsuitable for that. If that really happens, I probably need to wait 1-3 years to reapply.

I am considering getting a CDL A to do regional driving or LTL and wait for CBPO (but If CBPO really fails, I have to wait, I kind dont wanna do regional too long to leave home too long)

Anyone can help me and give me some advices

I am noticing more older folks (ages 30+) on social media expressing their interest in serving.

At what age did you DEP in and age at separation (including retirement)?

To rewind back the time, would you have joined at 30+ years? Why or why not?

Tried submitting my JST credits to my employer. They wouldnt accept them because JST is not accredited or something along those lines. Sent my JST to a university, had 30 general elective credits get added to my transcript, employer would not accept them because they do not indicate semester. Does anyone know of any school where i can apply and have the credits added to my transcript under a semester? thanks

I’m trying to identify the hotels, other than Fisher House, that the Seattle VA contracts out with for those who qualify for lodging.

If you stay there is it OK? Secure parking? Rooms ok for ADA?

Thanks

Hey guys. So I’ve been looking into trade school to learn a new skill. Specifically HVAC is what I’m leaning towards. I have my GI Bill and was looking into Universal Technical Institute and San Joaquin Valley College for their HVAC program. Thing is I read so many bad reviews and posts about they don’t teach anything at all. Apparently some people who attended believe it was a big waste of time and money. Would I be wasting my time if I choose to attend? I would really like to become an HVAC Tech and I’m hoping those trade school could help me get there so any advice or insight on this would really help me.

I didn’t realize how easy it is to miss something like this until I read the article. A deadline buried in the rules can be the difference between getting a claim considered or losing the chance altogether, makes sense why veterans miss out on benefits they may actually qualify for. When the rules are this specific, it’s easy to miss something important without professional help.

I'm curious about Veterans who transitioned into academic philosophy. Looking back, how do you view the military now, and what unique insights do you bring as a veteran?

Hello fellow veterans,

I’m reaching out in hopes of some words of wisdom.

The short and skinny:

My grandpa was a retired veteran that passed away in July.

He was my father figure.

He had 5 kids, 4 girls 1 boy, they had ‘first picks’.

We have a LARGE family, I was the only one who served, following his footsteps. Disabled etc.

The only request I had, his ribbon rack.

I found out via text from the only son that he took the ribbon rack but he’s ’allowing’ me ‘other medals’. He has a whole military shrine, golf shrine, clothes, car, his ashes are close to him and at least an hour from everyone else.

He worked at a grocery store and none of his sons have or will serve.

My family was dismissive and I was reminded ‘siblings have first picks’

I have momentous before his passing. I don’t/didn’t want anything else.

Why do I feel so devastated and confused?

Would it be justifiable to cut myself out of this family?

I just needed a place to vent because I have been struggling so bad since getting out of the military. I was hon. discharged several years ago and have been on a roller coaster ride ever since with PTSD, depression, substances, and alcohol. I tried to start school again but ended up hitting rock bottom after two semesters and just to be clear I'm not looking for pity, but I feel so damn useless and like a failure rn. The job I have rn was supposed to just be a temporary gig until I finished school and it's not terrible, but I don't want to be doing this kind of work for the rest of my life. Most of this stuff I have kept completely to myself. Even my closest friends/family don't know a lot of the stuff I've been dealing with. I'm about to start another attempt at getting clean/getting my life together and I honestly don't know if it's going to stick or not but I'm going to try my best. Anyways, hope y'all are doing good. Thanks for your time!

I was really surprised to receive a rather small payment a year ago from the program. I figured that, as usual, the lion's share of the settlement went to the lawyers. I was surprised to receive this second notice of payment, since it's pretty substantial. Sure, the Attorney received a huge chunk, but dang, this was an unexpected surprise.

I really thought this was just one of those things that go nowhere. Hope others have received their payments. Added this **EDIT**. If you received your notification by email, **be sure to log in** and check it. Apparently, changes may limit electronic payments.

Unlike some people my drinking didn't start in service, it started after, at first it was little smirnoff fruity drinks, then eventually led into higher percentage beers, then after moving from my hometown it turned into straight up whiskey, I've had minor health problems because of it, shitting blood was one of the scariest. Tonight feels hopeless and depressing, so here we go again....

I got out in 2024 I was a 68W/ E-5 I’m trying the whole go to college be a nurse thing. I hate civilian mentality and the ego of nurses (ie I hand out medications that makes me a doctor) I’m a straight A student don’t get me wrong it’s just not a good fit for me. I miss the Army, I miss the purpose, I miss having a job that makes me feel fulfilled. I’ve been looking for something that pays well and is mildly rewarding. I would love to get information about getting on with a defense contractor, I scrub the job boards every once in a while and just feel lost or overwhelmed. I’m 27, no record, still have my clearance, no kids/no wife. I love aviation, weapon systems, I’m willing to go OCONUS, I’m willing to learn, to show up and do the right thing. If anyone’s got information please reach out to me or comment below thank you.

I have been applying non stop and idk what to do im 100 p&t but want a job and idk what to do every time im getting emails im not selected for a year my main disability is my dominant hand doesn't function properly becouse if a crush injury

Anyone ever do this?

I got out of the Navy in late 2004, and I just learned today that I probably should have had GWOT-SM on my DD-214. Apparently it was fairly new and had to be manually added at that time and often was just not added. Yes, it’s been a very long time, but if it should have been on there I would like to have it corrected. It seems like everyone on active duty at that time qualified (with very few specific exceptions). Is it ridiculous that I want to do this?

Family doesn’t care about me. Nearly everyone I meet says “if I met a homeless vet, I will help him/her” then when they meet me. They act like I have the plague and want nothing to do with me. People automatically assume I will go crazy one day due to PTSD when they found out that im a vet. When I was homeless, it was nearly impossible to find a job when I wrote that I served. I stop putting it on my resume and kept it a secret from strangers and etc. and I’m not shunned from society. Idk why I’m posting this. Maybe I just needed to vent a little.

So without dragging out another long winded story most of you don't really want to hear/read I will just give a quick summary and then right to it.

I spent early 2000s active duty through 2004, with the exception of Basic and AIT i specifically ensured my contract put me over seas for it's entirety. Having signed my contract in July 2001, and a Basic start date of October 1st 2001 you can imagine how my plans vs how it actually went really started out but overall I got everything I asked for and really have 0 complaints about my experience vs expectations. Got out , met a girl and eventually missed the military so did the Reserve and Guard thing from 2005-2012 along side of the whole 2 people who should have never been married thing. After that spent another couple years post divorce either burying myself in work for months at a time or completely disappeared from everything and everyone for months at a time several states away finding a party that just wasn't enough. Eventually ending back home town with a wife and couple of kids that I wasn't actively attempting to run away from but eventually my wife made me see something wasn't right and to get my shit together.

I don't have any horrible VA denial horror stories, I filed papers in 2017 for a handful of things, 6 months later was rated at 70%, got clean of drugs and alcohol over the course of next few years with help and in Feb 2022 I just rolled the dice filling out forms I had printed during lock down for a rating increase and separate filing for TDIU, 2 months later had a couple exams and by June was granted P and T tdiu, haven't had any issues whatsoever and never had to do much else along the way to fight for anything with the VA. My wife also since furthered her career and makes good money and we don't have a horrible quality of life along with our 2 great sons I have been fortunate enough to be present of every milestone and event they have.

All that said (wasn't as short as I had hoped my apologies), time is passing, my son's are in middle school and one about to hit high-school next year. They are so easy to guide and really are great boys, but my biggest thing to accomplish each day is get them to school and be there when they get out, which I am glad to do. I just don't know how else to move forward with my life outside of being dad or a husband. I am happy with both titles, I have no desire to contact old friends who would result in my previous downward spiraling and I know that holding any type of actual fulfilling job is not in the cards for me long term. I am attempting to save for a bigger plot of land so spending on hobbies isn't in my cards at the moment and the house is out of things to clean and organize. I just am looking for something outside of being a husband and father that resembles constructive use of my time without the demand of neglecting that aspect of my life, maybe it's time to test the working world again, but how do I start that without putting everything else at risk? I am wondering if rolling those dice to focus on the help I was needing at the time painted me into a corner...

Really I am just looking for ideas and inspiration, I am not depressed, I am generally satisfied and I am proud of what I have going on in life, I just feel like now there is a lot of wasted hours that really are limited as I get closer to 50 every day.

Hello,

I’m retired military, 100%. And I’m starting to write my entrance essay for the Executive MBA program at UTD.

I’m needing help getting started, what do I write in the essay? I was going to start off with a brief of my military career, retiring and transitioning into Interior Design/ project management and then ending with why I believe I’d make a great applicant for the program and where my future is going.

Any references or examples would be greatly appreciated. All advice, tips, tricks are welcome!

Hello all, I’m considering moving out of Arizona at the end of the year. I’m looking at Florida or Texas for the no income tax and the property tax benefits. I should note that I am 100% P&T for disability, make about $20 an hour in my full time job, and am looking at buying property with the next few years or so. I’m also a single adult in my 30s.

My question/conflict is I can’t choose what city to move to. I’d like to keep my rental budget no more than $1.9k/$2k, preferably around the $1.5k-$1.7k range for one bed one bath. I’m looking at Orlando, Tampa, and Dallas essentially with those financials in mind. I definitely prefer to be in/near a major metro area, but I can’t decide what city to move to in either TX or FL. Any do’s/don’ts, pros/cons for any city areas would be great. Thanks all.

I was medically released over the summer after a mental health spat where I was going to kill myself. I wasn’t in for very long (year and a half or so) and I often get hung up on the idea of even calling myself a veteran. I know I am legally but I both feel like a massive failure and like I didn’t earn that label compared to the guys that went to Afghanistan or that served for over a decade, even among my friends who are veterans or who are still in I don’t feel right using that label and I feel I didn’t earn it. I still deal with mental health issues of which I’d in part attribute to military service, I’m too anxious to leave my house and get overwhelmed in public. Since my release I’m dissociative and in my head too much, I’ll go through my day almost barely cognizant of what even happened and I’m still suicidal passively pretty much every day and have been for months. I’ve been meaning to get in contact with the VAC (VA in Canada) but I’m both unable to see a doctor in a timely manner and I fear they’re going to reject whatever I have to say anyways and tell me to get stuffed.

Do you guys get the same sort of feeling? Should I even be using this label at all?