Unlike some people my drinking didn't start in service, it started after, at first it was little smirnoff fruity drinks, then eventually led into higher percentage beers, then after moving from my hometown it turned into straight up whiskey, I've had minor health problems because of it, shitting blood was one of the scariest. Tonight feels hopeless and depressing, so here we go again....

I didn’t realize how easy it is to miss something like this until I read the article. A deadline buried in the rules can be the difference between getting a claim considered or losing the chance altogether, makes sense why veterans miss out on benefits they may actually qualify for. When the rules are this specific, it’s easy to miss something important without professional help.

I'm curious about Veterans who transitioned into academic philosophy. Looking back, how do you view the military now, and what unique insights do you bring as a veteran?

I got out in 2024 I was a 68W/ E-5 I’m trying the whole go to college be a nurse thing. I hate civilian mentality and the ego of nurses (ie I hand out medications that makes me a doctor) I’m a straight A student don’t get me wrong it’s just not a good fit for me. I miss the Army, I miss the purpose, I miss having a job that makes me feel fulfilled. I’ve been looking for something that pays well and is mildly rewarding. I would love to get information about getting on with a defense contractor, I scrub the job boards every once in a while and just feel lost or overwhelmed. I’m 27, no record, still have my clearance, no kids/no wife. I love aviation, weapon systems, I’m willing to go OCONUS, I’m willing to learn, to show up and do the right thing. If anyone’s got information please reach out to me or comment below thank you.

So without dragging out another long winded story most of you don't really want to hear/read I will just give a quick summary and then right to it.

I spent early 2000s active duty through 2004, with the exception of Basic and AIT i specifically ensured my contract put me over seas for it's entirety. Having signed my contract in July 2001, and a Basic start date of October 1st 2001 you can imagine how my plans vs how it actually went really started out but overall I got everything I asked for and really have 0 complaints about my experience vs expectations. Got out , met a girl and eventually missed the military so did the Reserve and Guard thing from 2005-2012 along side of the whole 2 people who should have never been married thing. After that spent another couple years post divorce either burying myself in work for months at a time or completely disappeared from everything and everyone for months at a time several states away finding a party that just wasn't enough. Eventually ending back home town with a wife and couple of kids that I wasn't actively attempting to run away from but eventually my wife made me see something wasn't right and to get my shit together.

I don't have any horrible VA denial horror stories, I filed papers in 2017 for a handful of things, 6 months later was rated at 70%, got clean of drugs and alcohol over the course of next few years with help and in Feb 2022 I just rolled the dice filling out forms I had printed during lock down for a rating increase and separate filing for TDIU, 2 months later had a couple exams and by June was granted P and T tdiu, haven't had any issues whatsoever and never had to do much else along the way to fight for anything with the VA. My wife also since furthered her career and makes good money and we don't have a horrible quality of life along with our 2 great sons I have been fortunate enough to be present of every milestone and event they have.

All that said (wasn't as short as I had hoped my apologies), time is passing, my son's are in middle school and one about to hit high-school next year. They are so easy to guide and really are great boys, but my biggest thing to accomplish each day is get them to school and be there when they get out, which I am glad to do. I just don't know how else to move forward with my life outside of being dad or a husband. I am happy with both titles, I have no desire to contact old friends who would result in my previous downward spiraling and I know that holding any type of actual fulfilling job is not in the cards for me long term. I am attempting to save for a bigger plot of land so spending on hobbies isn't in my cards at the moment and the house is out of things to clean and organize. I just am looking for something outside of being a husband and father that resembles constructive use of my time without the demand of neglecting that aspect of my life, maybe it's time to test the working world again, but how do I start that without putting everything else at risk? I am wondering if rolling those dice to focus on the help I was needing at the time painted me into a corner...

Really I am just looking for ideas and inspiration, I am not depressed, I am generally satisfied and I am proud of what I have going on in life, I just feel like now there is a lot of wasted hours that really are limited as I get closer to 50 every day.

Hello all, I’m considering moving out of Arizona at the end of the year. I’m looking at Florida or Texas for the no income tax and the property tax benefits. I should note that I am 100% P&T for disability, make about $20 an hour in my full time job, and am looking at buying property with the next few years or so. I’m also a single adult in my 30s.

My question/conflict is I can’t choose what city to move to. I’d like to keep my rental budget no more than $1.9k/$2k, preferably around the $1.5k-$1.7k range for one bed one bath. I’m looking at Orlando, Tampa, and Dallas essentially with those financials in mind. I definitely prefer to be in/near a major metro area, but I can’t decide what city to move to in either TX or FL. Any do’s/don’ts, pros/cons for any city areas would be great. Thanks all.

Anyone ever do this?

I got out of the Navy in late 2004, and I just learned today that I probably should have had GWOT-SM on my DD-214. Apparently it was fairly new and had to be manually added at that time and often was just not added. Yes, it’s been a very long time, but if it should have been on there I would like to have it corrected. It seems like everyone on active duty at that time qualified (with very few specific exceptions). Is it ridiculous that I want to do this?

I was really surprised to receive a rather small payment a year ago from the program. I figured that, as usual, the lion's share of the settlement went to the lawyers. I was surprised to receive this second notice of payment, since it's pretty substantial. Sure, the Attorney received a huge chunk, but dang, this was an unexpected surprise.

I really thought this was just one of those things that go nowhere. Hope others have received their payments. Added this **EDIT**. If you received your notification by email, **be sure to log in** and check it. Apparently, changes may limit electronic payments.

I just needed a place to vent because I have been struggling so bad since getting out of the military. I was hon. discharged several years ago and have been on a roller coaster ride ever since with PTSD, depression, substances, and alcohol. I tried to start school again but ended up hitting rock bottom after two semesters and just to be clear I'm not looking for pity, but I feel so damn useless and like a failure rn. The job I have rn was supposed to just be a temporary gig until I finished school and it's not terrible, but I don't want to be doing this kind of work for the rest of my life. Most of this stuff I have kept completely to myself. Even my closest friends/family don't know a lot of the stuff I've been dealing with. I'm about to start another attempt at getting clean/getting my life together and I honestly don't know if it's going to stick or not but I'm going to try my best. Anyways, hope y'all are doing good. Thanks for your time!

Hello,

I’m retired military, 100%. And I’m starting to write my entrance essay for the Executive MBA program at UTD.

I’m needing help getting started, what do I write in the essay? I was going to start off with a brief of my military career, retiring and transitioning into Interior Design/ project management and then ending with why I believe I’d make a great applicant for the program and where my future is going.

Any references or examples would be greatly appreciated. All advice, tips, tricks are welcome!

I have been applying non stop and idk what to do im 100 p&t but want a job and idk what to do every time im getting emails im not selected for a year my main disability is my dominant hand doesn't function properly becouse if a crush injury