My friends saw it was were a little confused. Had to explain it to them hahah!

40 year old male, 6 yr Active Duty AF vet here. Separated in 2016. As I have served in a combat zone, I'm eligible to join both.

I've often thought about getting involved, at least as a form of community involvement and socialization, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to it due to the optics.

I've been to them before, and although I'm sure there's more going on than what you see, what I see is a watering hole for mostly Vietnam-era vets that basically functions as an event hosting location for people to have parties. I get that hosting parties is probably how these places stay alive, but it just feels like it gets in the way of what those places should be. To me, it makes it seem inauthentic and underwhelming as a place for veterans to go be among other veterans.

I understand all the advocating, community service, and veteran supports that these organizations offer - and that's great. I'm not here to throw shade. But, with so many posts around the country it also feels like each community is so small that it's unlikely to even meet some people close to my age with similar experiences.

To be honest, I don't think I want to play that game where we act like we still have ranks and function in some sort of self-contained bureaucracy. I'm not showy about my service, and I'm not interested in wearing hats or uniforms. No disrespect to those that do like that sort of thing. I get it, and I respect the good work they do.

Besides a bar that provides event hosting. What else is there really?

I keep having this thought in the back of my head of "maybe this time would be different from before" and the feeling of just being wronged on how my army career ended. I think I shouldn't go back and now I just have been having the same thought for the past 7 years of what if we give it a second try?. Any one ever had this feelings?

There was a post on Reddit that inspired me to not just read through the letters that I got 35 years ago from family and friends, but to send them back to them.

My mom, 93 years old now, has started to read through her stack of about 30 she sent to me, for the short time I was deployed.

My father even sent some, he was a decorated Vietnam Veteran, (F-105 Wild Weasel) who has since passed. He was a man a few words, and had some PTSD issues, but his letters were extremely valuable and she can read those now too.

Several of my siblings, my aunt and a high school friend also have received their’s back and have enjoyed reading through them immensely.

If you have letters sitting in a box somewhere, I would encourage you to do the same !

Hi I'm trying to get my DD214 on National Archive sent in on day 29 and till this day have not got it so is there a different way for me to get it (until I get it, I can move on with me recruiter)

so should i start this form and mail it to National Archive? or wait for more time

(got out at basic training at marine bootcamp now trying to apply to air force)

I recieved my DD214 worksheet today.. I had 2 enlistments (continuous), so I’m only receiving one dd214. I am getting out with a General discharge and was told that the remarks would mention my first enlistment as honorable for GI Bill purposes. However, on the worksheet it only says “Member has completed first full term of service.” Is this the same? Or should it say something else?

Good Afternoon. I am trying to find a place to borrow from the catch up on my bills. In April I was awarded full custody of my son and have been struggling without help from his mother. My car broke down the day before I got him full time and had to buy a new vehicle. Thats where all my savings went. I have fallen way behind on my bills and at risk of being evicted. I am struggling but trying to keep my composure to push through. I have applied at all of the unsecured places with zero luck and just submitted a request from Service CU. Any info will be incredible and I thank you all for taking the time to read it!

Going to school online using post 9/11 MGIB (sorry for confusion I’m using post 9/11. GI bill, not MGIB ) Attempting to withdraw midterm after my cataract developed during VA documented care. VA saying they can’t evaluate my mitigating circumstances until after withdrawal. I’ve already provided MGIB VA people with my VA medical documentation. Online school refuses to help midterm.

Does my documented cataract count as mitigating, and if not what will I owe back VA? The TA , TA and housing allowance, or just housing?

I’m SC for sleep apnea, but I don’t use the CPAP machine I’ve been prescribed. Wondering if anyone here has been through the process.

For the past 2-3 months I’ve had an even harder time falling asleep than what I did before. I hear all these noises and the house cracking and settling and it just keeps me up all night thinking someone is breaking into the house.

What a great problem to have 😐

I have blink cameras but they are just junk. Don’t pick up shit and batteries die to often.

Does anyone know of any great camera systems / security systems that don’t break the bank or give us veterans a discount?

That way just maybe I can sleep a little better

I already use a sound machine

I am currently serving on active duty and have completed two years of my four-year enlistment contract. I recently learned about the Active Duty Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB-AD) and would like more information about whether I am eligible to use it while I am still on active duty.
At the moment, I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree, and my tuition is fully covered through Walmart’s education benefit program. Since my education expenses are already being paid, I would like to understand whether there are any additional benefits available through the MGIB-AD that I could use while remaining on active duty, or if it would be more advantageous to save those benefits for after I separate from the Army.
I would appreciate any guidance on eligibility, how the benefit works while on active duty, and the advantages and disadvantages of using it now versus waiting until after my military service.

I'm an Army vet that got out after 25 yrs in 2017. Did the Iraq/Afghan tours. Had a shitty childhood and life up to 30.

I'm 51 now and feel like life has crept up on me. I had a breakdown this year. Bad bout of depression. Feel like my mindset is changing.

Anyway, I've been going the the VA for years for MH. I couldn't get into a provider as I thought I just need to talk to someone. Ended up finding the Vet Center and it has been great and a different approach vs the typical VA. The typical VA is medicate....if needed....medicate even more.

The counselor at the Vet Center recommended the Sheep Dog IA - Warrior Pathh in Missouri/Arkansas. We have determined I am in Post Traumatic Growth now. It seems like a cumulation of years of issues and baggage unloading.

I applied and just waiting to hear from them.

Any advice or experience with the program? thanks.

I've been out of the Navy for about a month and a half now, and I'm having a hard time moving on with my life. I was in for 16 years, didn't plan on getting out yet, but was forced to separate for being trans.

Part of the problem is it still doesn't quite feel real, especially given my last 10 months in were spent on administrative absence. I guess I just need something to do to convince my brain things are actually different now, I just don't know what.

So, I’ve been out for a year now and I’m enrolled to begin an Associates program in Air Conditioning Technology (HVAC) next month. It’s not a requirement but the college offers a tool package to use during school and for work. Is there any thing you are aware of that could help pay as in a grant? I live in GA and I’m 100% if that makes a difference. Not using VRE, I’ve had a horrible experience with that. I’m willing to pay out of pocket but I’d really rather not if there’s other resources out there. I’ve been trying to connect with my states veterans resources to no avail. I’m working part time while I go to school and I’m using my BHA and Pell to help support my family so it’s spoken for. Any suggestions or advice would be great.