Posted on Jan 29, 2022
Why are Servicemembers not being briefed on services available to them that would help as they transition from the military to civilian life?
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When I retired no one bothered to inform me that leaving the military(Honorable discharge required I believe)servicemembers qualify for up to 6 months unemployment. That's something I could have used as I waited for my VA rating(100%). Even if I wasn't seriously broken physically others need that while trying to transition back to civilian life. My wife and I had to stay with family while waiting on my rating because retirement pay doesn't start as soon as you retire(Omnibus Act)which put a hardship on our family as a whole. You really find out what a person thinks living in close quarters. VA pay doesn't start immediately(again Omnibus Act), and they take 5 months off the top from the time you file for it. I filed for it before I retired about 3 months out. I also heard something about qualifying for temporary housing, but I don't have much information on that. The real concern is that probably 99% of servicemembers aren't prepared for separation and struggle when there are services available that just aren't being briefed as they are leaving.
Posted in these groups: 
Retirement
Retirement
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 11
Not sure how retirement briefings went back in '02, but I can tell you when I ETSd in '03 from Germany, I had to clear some areas that provided information. In fact, an ETS physical was required. And the doctor told me about getting with the VA if need be. There was all kinds of info available then. And now, information is crammed down our throats with SFL-TAP. So, Soldiers today ARE being briefed. Whether or not they listen and/or use the info....well.....that's on them.
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Is the Troll post?
You must have really been failed by your chain of command. Of the things that kind of irk me (being a Reservist) I can't believe how much hand holding retiring soldiers get before they finally cut the cord.
More than once now I've seen (and one of those a subordinate NCO's who's retirement package I had to process with my command signature) service members completely checked out for just about an entire year while on the clock going through the mandatory out processing briefs and civilian integration training, etc.....
I remember being very annoyed after deployment as a Reservist having to sit through briefs in how to look for a job and build a resume............ HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you let me clear out of CRC I can literally GO to my JOB I ALREADY HAVE!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway............ I digress. The help is there, and if out processing soldiers are being deflected from that help then something is terribly wrong with the local chain of command.
My observation is that help is rammed down your throat if you want it or not.
You must have really been failed by your chain of command. Of the things that kind of irk me (being a Reservist) I can't believe how much hand holding retiring soldiers get before they finally cut the cord.
More than once now I've seen (and one of those a subordinate NCO's who's retirement package I had to process with my command signature) service members completely checked out for just about an entire year while on the clock going through the mandatory out processing briefs and civilian integration training, etc.....
I remember being very annoyed after deployment as a Reservist having to sit through briefs in how to look for a job and build a resume............ HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you let me clear out of CRC I can literally GO to my JOB I ALREADY HAVE!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway............ I digress. The help is there, and if out processing soldiers are being deflected from that help then something is terribly wrong with the local chain of command.
My observation is that help is rammed down your throat if you want it or not.
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If they're going to SFL-TAP they are getting briefed on services. And you can start SFL-TAP 2 years out from retirement.
The 6 months unemployment: "Approximately 40,000 active-duty service members retire each year, and some of them are looking for jobs but haven't found work. It's possible that some of these retirees may be eligible for a special type of unemployment benefits, called UCX (Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Military), based upon the amount of their military retirement pay and the limits in the state in which they are filing. Most retirees will not qualify for UCX, but it's worth a look."
That varies from state to state.
This is from the DFAS site: "Typical Processing Time Frames. Your first retired pay should be processed in 30 to 45 days after your retirement date. However, this can only happen if we receive a complete retirement package, including a correct DD Form 2656."
I don't see anything when I search Omnibus Act and military retirement pay. Anything with Omnibus Act has to do with the military budget or an act from 1868.
You can get 20 days of PTDY when retiring or ETS. https://militarypay.defense.gov/Benefits/Leave-Benefits-During-Transition/
These days if soldiers aren't prepared for transitioning out of the service, that's on them.
The 6 months unemployment: "Approximately 40,000 active-duty service members retire each year, and some of them are looking for jobs but haven't found work. It's possible that some of these retirees may be eligible for a special type of unemployment benefits, called UCX (Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Military), based upon the amount of their military retirement pay and the limits in the state in which they are filing. Most retirees will not qualify for UCX, but it's worth a look."
That varies from state to state.
This is from the DFAS site: "Typical Processing Time Frames. Your first retired pay should be processed in 30 to 45 days after your retirement date. However, this can only happen if we receive a complete retirement package, including a correct DD Form 2656."
I don't see anything when I search Omnibus Act and military retirement pay. Anything with Omnibus Act has to do with the military budget or an act from 1868.
You can get 20 days of PTDY when retiring or ETS. https://militarypay.defense.gov/Benefits/Leave-Benefits-During-Transition/
These days if soldiers aren't prepared for transitioning out of the service, that's on them.
Leave Benefits During Transition
Military Pay and Benefits Website sponsored by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
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