Just looking for possible suggestions to help my friend. He is an Afghan War Vet with VA diagnosed PTSD. The issue currently is he is being ripped off by scammers, (online mostly). whether it’s his condition or medication, refuses to acknowledge what is going on and his financial situation, (he receives VA disability ) is becoming a serious issue.

Question is would there be someone I could contact at the VA that could help him? I receive healthcare from the VA but wouldn’t know where to start. I understand patient confidentiality comes into play but I’m just worried about my buddy.

Thanks

Separating from the Navy with 6 years in at E-6. I want to get one of those hats old timers get, but without the "retired" portion. I feel like it would be hilarious to wear one out on veterans day as a 25 year old. Plus it would also embarrass the hell out of my wife. So where can I get one?

Fellow veteran dads, at what age did you introduce your children to the concept of war? I was out of the military before they were born but my oldest, almost 7, asks about what I did in the military.

He is asking more questions about what the military does. He’s asking more questions about “how the military protects the country”. I’m I wrong in wanting to protect him from the concept of “war”? To protect his innocence? Is it because I experienced war that I feel this way?

By the way he tells me his second favorite holiday is Veterans Day, behind Christmas, understandably. I don’t celebrate it other than going to his schools Veterans Day breakfast and concert they put on, which is amazing. Maybe I should make it more of a celebration.

I am in need of assistance with my mental health. I am not experiencing an emergency. Can anyone give me specific advice? I would love to offer more detail but so far 7 attempts at this post have been auto deleted. Per the rules we cannot use private messages either.

I'm trying to start college in 2025 using my GI Bill and getting full MHA. I want to finish the online degree I've started with Cochise College (Sierra Vista, Arizona), but I'll be stationed with a Reserves unit in San Antonio. Can I take one class with San Antonio College in person while pursuing an online degree with Cochise College to receive full MHA?

So I’m sure this question has been asked more times than anyone can count but, still I gotta get an outside opinion. So I got out a few years back my initial contract wasn’t long and I did reserves a little bit after I got out and now I’m just going on as a civ. The issue I’m facing now is I feel as if I’ve lost all sense of purpose in my life since leaving active duty and I’m on the fence about going back in and grinding out a full career or staying out and finding a way to live on the outside. As things stand nothing feels right career wise rn like I don’t fit in anywhere and I’m kinda just drifting with nothing driving me, almost as if I lost all the motivation I once had. Ik I can’t be the only one who’s felt this way since they ets and the only thing having me on the fence is that my family and loved ones don’t want me to leave again and I just don’t know what to do

Hey I just tried logging into my VA app as well as VA.gov account to check my upcoming appointments and it’s saying they have no records for me. I’ve been receiving my VA for quite some time now and never had this issue. Is their system currently down? Any one else having issues logging into currently?

I would like to create a shadow box for my Uncle as a Christmas gift. I am a retired 22 year Navy Chief myself so I am familiar with putting a shadow box together.

The questions I have is what do I put in there.

I have his DD214 with all of his awards.

I have most of his medals. I can purchase the other ones.

He is missing his wings.

He was a Sgt.

His MOS was 67N20. He was also a door gunner on a Huey.

I have a patch of his, but I would rather find a patch for his div/unit/company he was attached to.

Also I am up to getting him some T-shirts and hats. (other than the generic "Vietnam Veteran")

I just need to suggestions so I can move forward with this. This is LONG overdue.

Thanks in advance

Marines, I try to keep things aligned and I clean the little hooks and crany.

81s here. Been out for a minute. Never been in combat or anything crazy, just a lot of mortar shoots. Something just ain’t right.

-my hearing loss is not that bad. Yet, I feel like I can’t hear people, it sounds like mumbling or I just completely miss what they say. Make them repeat what they said multiple times.

-need more sleep than I used to.

-having to do paperwork for long periods of time makes me feel physically exhausted.

-slight stutter. Way more noticeable if I didn’t get enough sleep.

-feel like I’m floating sometimes, moments of intense brain fog, random anger and overreacting to stuff that isn’t that serious. Then realizing I just freaked out over nothing.

-random intense depression that comes out of no where even though my life is exactly as I want it at the moment. Doesn’t feel like typical melancholy or sadness. Feels like almost a deep ache in my mind. No idea how to explain it, pure dread.

-goldfish short term memory, long term memory the same as it’s always been.

We getting disability ratings for this? I feel like shit honestly.

I got out back in May after 6 years active as a medic. After I got out I realize medicine isn’t for me on the civilian side. I’ve been trying to find a mechanical engineering program but due to already having an associates in health science they’re making me an upper level transfer and I don’t have the prereqs for engineering. So far it seems my only option is taking the prereqs separately which wouldn’t make me eligible for the BAH as it’s not enough credit hours at one time. I also can’t find a decent paying job and I’m currently making $16 an hour working as a medical assistant at a doctors office and slowly going broke. Any advice or programs available for this type of issue?

Hello fellow vets, I had a question about time windows when your out of the military. I've been out for about 10 months and just found out i have access to military one source up until the first year out.

I know I'm too late for most of the other things such as joining back without going to basic training. I just wanted to know if there was a directory or something of everything we have access to and for how long?

Help, please. I feel like I'm in dire times and I need advice for next steps.

I'm unable to continue working in my field and lost my job because of my service-connected disabilities. My disabilities are such that I need a schedule that supports unpredictable, prolonged absences. And my symptoms make it difficult to function, focus, and perform daily tasks and living, which are worsened by so many triggers (including stress -- it's a vicious cycle). On top of this, I'm a single parent with no local support, to a young human with their own serious medical issues.

My financial situation is quickly becoming impossible because I cannot afford my cost of living. My checking and savings account hit $0, I maxed out my credit cards, and I'm now draining my retirement-IRA account through tax-exempt disability distributions. I paid off my CC debt to stop accruing debt from that insane interest, but my retirement savings will quickly run out since I'm using it to pay my mortgage, car loan, medical debt, and living expenses. I'm planning to sell my house and move to a lower cost-of-living area that's closer to family support, but external factors prohibit me from doing this now, and it'll be at least several months before I can. In the interim, I'm hoping to sell/purge all non-essential items and make all other preparations for selling my house.

I don't know how to make my life work anymore. I do get excited about the idea of pursuing art as a hobby or profession because I believe it would help improve my quality of life and serve as an additional tool towards processing my PTSD and learning to love me as I am. In an ideal scenario, I would get paid to study multiple fine arts disciplines (including ceramics, illustrations, creative writing, etc.) until I could monetize my works somehow.

I still have my GI Bill (not sure how long). VocRehab helped me earn a postgraduate degree after being medically discharged. I've been contemplating going back to VocRehab since my chosen career field exacerbates my conditions, and I've seen that VocRehab also helps with independent living and hobbies.

But I'm really struggling to see viable options for employability (especially because I was at a remote desk job before), I don't really know what business I would start, and a hobby wouldn't help me pay my bills.

I'm a very sad panda. I'm struggling to keep any light at the end of the tunnel in focus, especially when I'm in screaming pain that keeps me stuck in bed. I welcome your thoughts and feedback, especially if you've faced similar circumstances and have anecdotal stories to share hope.

TL;DR Please share words of wisdom and encouragement to this broke, unemployed single parent with a broken body and mind. I'm struggling to remain afloat while I try to put the pieces together to regain functionality, convince myself I'm not broken, and truly accept and love my body as it exists today.

Hi! My friends husband was in the Navy for 22 years and recently passed. She is having problems trying to figure out what to do with insurance, benefits, etc.

Who does she contact? She asked me if she needs a military lawyer?

Thank you!

Hey dudes, been out 6 months and enjoying it. I have a IRR muster down in TX but im living in Washington. I know the Email says just email them and they excuse you, Im wondering more about can missing IRR musters mess up Federal Job prospects? For reference I am applying at a federal job here in WA and I am already through most of process.

Team,

I’m just looking for a second opinion on my current issue:

I have the option of continuing my “big impact” role (3-letter) but quite literally across the country away from my extended family, hobbies, and peace of mind. Off on weekends and holidays since it’s a fed job.

Or, I have the option of settling down in my quiet town (PNW) but no longer using my skills to actually make a difference, globally.

My spouse is willing to follow me wherever I go. Yet the thought of having kids without family nearby is so sad. The same sadness I’d feel if I simply settle down…

I deployed and was able to see how I made an impact in the world. Through humanitarian missions, combat assignments, or just being able to volunteer and fight for Ukraine through the skills I acquired in the military.

I also remember family gatherings, the warmth of my family’s hugs, Christmas, safety, peace, and tranquility. It really is a small town but my entire family resides there. As does the ski resort 50 min away. The mountains, the sky, etc.

Financially, I’d make 100k more in my small town. Taking over a director role for my family’s small cyber security company. They work holidays, weekends, night shift, etc.

Any thoughts, tough love, questions, or advice is welcome. TIA

I joined my class mid November but my school said my classes started Oct 21st for the verification of enrollment, so will i get paid from Oct 21st or Nov? Also, does anybody know if they are late on the payment because of Thanksgiving or I should’ve gotten paid this past Friday?

Hi!

Little backstory, I have sole custody of my 14 year old child, bio father (Veteran) has made no attempts to see or contact child in over 5 years.

There is a child support court order in place and when bio father is legitimately, meaning not under the table, working child support has been garnished from his paychecks...well this stopped approximately 9 months ago and he has made no attempts to make any sort of payment.

I am aware I can file an apportionment for my child, but given that I am remarried do I need to include my now husbands financial information (income, ect) as it askes for custodian monthly income. And how does this play into filling out the net worth/monthly expenses categories as my husband and I don't split bills? I appreciate any and all advice/guidance.

Hello, I am a Submarine veteran. I am going to cut to the chase. Is there a place to talk about PTSD and smoke a bowl? I use cannabis medically but that is just part of it. I need a place to talk things out as well. I talk to people but no one knows of any place. I will even settle for a zoom call or something like that. I get the side eye if I want to smoke and talk but everyone is okay getting drunk and talking. I just feel so alone

So I got administrative separated earlier this month with a Honorable discharge and filed my paperwork for school and was told I’d be receiving 80% of my GI bill benefits for school since I only did half of my 5 year contract with the Navy. Does anyone know what that 80% entails, like will they pay for 80% of the semester i sign up for and I pay the rest out of pocket?

Has anyone gotten their VRE pay this month yet for December 1st? I have not and usually I get it when my comp pay drops.

Cover both hands over your ears and pound your middle and index fingers on the back of your head for 20 seconds for temporary relief. I don't know why it works but it definitely works for me.

Hey all, I am working on building a budget for the first time. Hoping to have a solid budget set up for the new year. I’m starting this by first analyzing how much money I’ve been earning and where it’s all been going. In doing so I’ve been going through and looking up all my previous transactions such as all my pay stubs and VA disability payments.

Does anyone know if I can access my military pay stubs from the VA? I don’t see them on VA.gov. Note: I got off active duty in 2017.

I separated in 2019 and would much rather strattle a cactus bare ass than return. However my phone still receives 3-5 calls a week from recruiters. Each time I tell them, politely even, that I separated already and have no further interest in pursuing the military and to please remove my number from any lists they have but clearly they either don’t care or its not a thing. Im very tired of explaining this though and it makes me very hesitant to pick up calls because I suspect its going to be another recruiter.

There have been instances where I’m expecting a call, get a call from a new number, think its the call I’m expecting, answer it and its a recruiter. I say I’m expecting a call and hangup but they just call back.

There is no specific branch. I’ve gotten calls from the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and even Guard and Reserve. Ive been dealing with this for the last two years at this consistency and I’m desperate for any solution

My dad is a Vietnam Vet with a 100% disability rating. He’s in the hospital, and the plan is for him to go to a nursing home for rehab. I read that some vets are exempt from nursing home copays based on their disability rating. How do I find out if being rated at 100% means he won’t have to pay nursing home copays? If he’s not exempt he would have to pay $97 per day starting on Day 21.

I got a call from AmerDirections, at 1900 on a Saturday, asking to do a survey with them using my full name and saying it's for the VA.

Seems sketchy AF and a quick search led me here to a 4 year old post with no resolution as to if these guys are even remotely legit....

....anyone?

Lost my job and my vehicle is in need of repairs costing abt $6000 . Are there any resources i can use ? thanks

Is anyone else's payment late or just me? I haven't gotten the text. I do online.

Hey ya'll, I'm hoping to get some insight here. I was a medic in the army, soon to complete my BA in counseling psychology and am on the fence about going to graduate school or becoming a psychiatric nurse.

Has anyone done this before or something similar?

Also, does anyone know what courses are covered on the JST for medics? E.g. anatomy, pharmacology?

Thank you in advance.