Are there too many Veteran Services (501c3)?

2013-12-09T03:12:29-05:00

I was at a stand down in Durham when a businessman asked me what made the business I was supporting any different than the others. He went on to tell that there are too many who do the same thing and end up out of business.

The second part of that problem are the scammers. I busted one recently at a McDonalds. But there are also many of these businesses who act in the name of the military and make it harder on the legit businesses.

What is your take on this situation and do you have any constructive ideas?

Response by PO3 Jack Barnard made Dec 9 at 2013 4:03 AM

2013-12-09T04:03:42-05:00

I am not sure if there are to many, but there is a disconnect somewhere. Maybe the fact that there aren't enough people to work the position to help the veteran. I have been out since May of this year, and have yet to find a job in my career path. I have been to ever thing that I can find veteran related and still no luck. The actual physical places: DWS, Local vet place called ARVETS (Arkansas vets), they start off hot, they are fired up. They get you going, then you leave and it takes an act of congress to get them to get back in touch with you. All though I will admit DWS has done pretty good at least with contacting me back. The internet has way to many to list, and you get lost trying to do one, and it leads to another, and another...etc. I know I am not the only VET that needs help, but I am about to be a VET on the streets if something doesn't happen quickly. And yes, I have applied myself. A big issues is that: I may have to much on my plate. I am obtaining my MBA, working, wife an kid, got a mentor through ACP, and searching for a new job. I don't know, at this point I have lost faith in the hiring process. Shoot, I even paid for a company to write my resume. I have had three interview since May, and have probably turned in 80 or so applications. Unfortunately there is no feedback these days, am I overqualified, underqualified, did you even look? The internet era has turned hiring an employee something that I was/ and probably still not prepared for. I digress, to many programs, um, maybe. We just need more people working them that want to help and help us all the way through until the service that we went there for is done.

Response by PO3 Jack Barnard made Dec 9 at 2013 11:50 PM

2013-12-09T23:50:55-05:00

I am not quite sure I'm tracking the last part of that. I get that you have helped some vets in the past, but you lost me on the meaning of the last few sentences. Maybe its cause my brain is tired. The homeless thing, I can't have. I've been there before I joined the Navy. I was single though. I've done it twice, once by choice, an the other cause no other means. By choice was a bicycle trip across the states, it was epic. The second homeless, not so epic. Couch hopping an hoping, hoping for something better, that's when the Navy got me. But no chance now, wife an kid, nope, can't, won't, I will sell my soul before I make my wife an kid live on the street. I just don't understand why it is so hard to get that first job out of active duty. Share insight if you have any...Please.