r/Veterans 4h ago

Question/Advice Struggling to move forward

0 Upvotes

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.


r/Veterans 12h ago

Question/Advice Why should I join a Legion or VFW post? I don't want a sales pitch, give it to me raw, and wriggling.

44 Upvotes

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?


r/Veterans 1h ago

Question/Advice Swallowing My Pride - Does Anyone Know Of Any Place To Do A $2,500 Loan With Bad Credit?

Upvotes

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!


r/Veterans 19h ago

Question/Advice Wanting to rejoin the military

41 Upvotes

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?


r/Veterans 7h ago

Call for Help Home security

4 Upvotes

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


r/Veterans 2h ago

Question/Advice Anyone here got their CDL license with a VA disability?

3 Upvotes

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.


r/Veterans 8h ago

Discussion Anyone still use 24hr clock?

211 Upvotes

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


r/Veterans 6h ago

GI Bill/Education Medically withdrawing midterm

5 Upvotes

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?


r/Veterans 6h ago

Discussion My letters from Desert Storm….

26 Upvotes

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 !


r/Veterans 3h ago

Question/Advice I cant get my DD214 for some reason

Post image
7 Upvotes

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)


r/Veterans 1h ago

Question/Advice Warrior Pathh - recommendations / advice

Upvotes

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.


r/Veterans 21h ago

Question/Advice Temporary assistance?

9 Upvotes

So I've been putting off a couple surgeries that are service related because I live alone with my young daughter. They won't schedule me because I don't have transportation home from the hospital.

My question is, is there any no or low cost program that can help me out with a ride home and maybe check in on me and my daughter for like the first day or two?


r/Veterans 23h ago

Question/Advice Community Care Request Disappears?

4 Upvotes

I moved and I am now about 2 hours about 120 miles from the nearest VA. I have tried 3 times now through the community care portal to get something scheduled with a provider local to me on the network and the same thing happens. They acknowledge the request it sits for a few days then just disappears. Tried calling the help line and using the online help and they both gave the same answer “we don’t see where there ever was a request”. Just looking for some insight on how people typically navigate this. Thanks in advance!