Posted on Dec 21, 2015
Do you feel that you have received the needed support for your post military career?
10.9K
28
34
2
2
0
I work with many people in career transition and I would like to know more about the support level people on Rally Point feel.
Posted in these groups: 
Transition
Transition
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 22
9
9
0
I expected nothing, just what I got, expectations delivered.
Sir, the Vet has a responsibility too.
Sir, the Vet has a responsibility too.
(9)
(0)
Cpl Jeff N.
SFC Pete Kain Sgt Gus Laskaris . My experience was like both of yours. I checked out at Camp Lejeune late September 1985, received a firm hand shake from the Battalion First Sergeant and was on my way.
There was no help to be had. You had all the help you needed. The training, discipline and all of the other skills you learned. No GI Bill, not VA programs etc. I drove for a dozen hours back to Florida and that was it, my transition was complete, it took 12 hours. Never spoke to, heard from anyone at the DoD, the Marine Corps or the VA. The last official communication I received was my Honorable Discharge in the mail after by IRR time was complete.
Folks need to learn to take care of themselves and quit looking for someone to reach out and help them do what they should already know how to do...Live.
There was no help to be had. You had all the help you needed. The training, discipline and all of the other skills you learned. No GI Bill, not VA programs etc. I drove for a dozen hours back to Florida and that was it, my transition was complete, it took 12 hours. Never spoke to, heard from anyone at the DoD, the Marine Corps or the VA. The last official communication I received was my Honorable Discharge in the mail after by IRR time was complete.
Folks need to learn to take care of themselves and quit looking for someone to reach out and help them do what they should already know how to do...Live.
(2)
(0)
CPT John M. O'Connor
This is interesting. Where could a business help provide better service or augment TAP?
(0)
(0)
SFC Pete Kain
CPT John M. O'Connor - The only thing I think of, is explain to the soldiers leaving service, the Veterans Administration, Veteran Service officer and their role, how to use their G.I. Bill. Things like that. At the end of the day it's still the Vets responsibility to take care of him/her self and their family. Unless I misunderstood your question of course.
As for the small company, hire a Vet. Not sure what else they could do.
As for the small company, hire a Vet. Not sure what else they could do.
(1)
(0)
3
3
0
Notable battles I participated: Tet and mini Tet (mini Tet 1,200 US KIA and 4,000 wounded in 3 wks) '68. ETS in '69. Numerous "atrocities"...Don't ask. Military no help or recognition. All discharge station said was "Next!". SFC outside said "Go out get a job and forget about it". Civilian hospital Psych ward for attempted suicide in '72. Doc had no name for my condition "attempted suicide" except many veterans from Nam coming home w/similar mental problems. Doc said didn't know of any help for veterans except veterans rap group at local park. Attended and found guys carrying guns and knives, smoking weed and talking about killing "gooks". Not my bag. Had enough killing. Took SFC's advice "Buried all memories of Vietnam" and never talked about it.
Fast forward to 2010 (43yrs)...Some guy at gym said he had a cold and had to go to VA??? He told me as long as I served time in military that we were eligible for medical. Went to a VA outpatient clinic Doc said I diagnosed w/PTSD. Referred me to VA PTSD clinic. 2 yrs later...Rated 100% PTSD & 80% Agent Orange. 2) Got caught in VA scandal: took from 2013 - 2015 to get needed operation 3) VA Choice program: Big communication problems w/local VA and Natl coordination center for appts. Both sides gave me the "runaround". Finally contacted Marco Rubio's (he was on VA committee before running for President) office and immediately got a call for an appointment with outpatient civilian doctor...He has always been a VA patient advocate and he has my vote for President. His office even called me to make certain I was being taken cared of in a timely manner.
One final recommendation: I strongly believe all vets in combat rated w/100% PTSD should receive Purple Heart. We fought. Our mental combat wounds CANNOT be healed. The meds cause many of us to become Unemployable.
Fast forward to 2010 (43yrs)...Some guy at gym said he had a cold and had to go to VA??? He told me as long as I served time in military that we were eligible for medical. Went to a VA outpatient clinic Doc said I diagnosed w/PTSD. Referred me to VA PTSD clinic. 2 yrs later...Rated 100% PTSD & 80% Agent Orange. 2) Got caught in VA scandal: took from 2013 - 2015 to get needed operation 3) VA Choice program: Big communication problems w/local VA and Natl coordination center for appts. Both sides gave me the "runaround". Finally contacted Marco Rubio's (he was on VA committee before running for President) office and immediately got a call for an appointment with outpatient civilian doctor...He has always been a VA patient advocate and he has my vote for President. His office even called me to make certain I was being taken cared of in a timely manner.
One final recommendation: I strongly believe all vets in combat rated w/100% PTSD should receive Purple Heart. We fought. Our mental combat wounds CANNOT be healed. The meds cause many of us to become Unemployable.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
42 years ago there was no support beyond travel pay to your final destination. Nothing more was expected.
(3)
(0)
CPL Darryl Crouch
That's like borrowing a neighbor's car and them not expecting some form of reimbursement. There is a financial cost to that borrowing. But at the same time, one has to realize that taxes are taken from pay checks at each issue date. The money received as tax returns was borrowed but no interest paid. Try to do that with any financial institution and see what results you get. Our Uncle can be a real mother at many things.
(0)
(0)
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google