u/Crocs_of_Steel

What are some unwritten rules of the Coast Guard? During my underway days it was "you never sit in the Captain's Chair."

I retired from the Coast Guard a little over a year ago. I accomplished most things I set out to do in my 20 years, and by the end I was ready to leave. I thought I was spared the feeling of thinking about the old days moved on and for the most part I was. However The other day I was at an OP Sail Fleet week type event and saw a bunch of Sailors, Marines and Coasties out in town on a port call. I saw them hanging together, drinking, the standard Port Call stuff. As I saw this, all my port calls and time underway came flooding back and I missed that indescribable feeling of everyone just being out together, the excitement of exploring the town and blowing off steam after being underway for who knows how long. In that moment I really missed that feeling and to be honest it caught me off guard. I'm not sure if anyone relates to what I'm talking about, but I just had to get it off my chest.

Due to unforeseen medical circumstances I recently became disabled and use medical devices to assist in my mobility. I recently attended my first live event since becoming disabled (TNA). I'm not sure if it's because I am more aware of the disabled community now or if it was because I was using assistance/ elevators with my caretaker and saw all the other disabled people that I realized there were a large number of fans with medical devices, from wheelchair to walkers to canes. My friend and I were talking about this and his take is that disabled people may have more time on their hands so they can invest the time to keep track of all the promotions. This is the case with me anyway, I became more invested because I have more time. I also enjoy wrestling because I get to watch people do amazing things with their bodies that I will never be able to do so it's almost freeing or cathartic for me. Do you think there is a large disabled fan community and why do you think that is?

Today I saw an Air Force officer in uniform riding his E Scooter eat pavement while trying to avoid a stationary Canadian goose on a very wide sidewalk. I stopped to check on him; he was alright besides some bruises to his arm and ego. It got me thinking, what is the dumbest thing you've seen an officer do or say?

I have two college age kids. One is 21 and attending college and is currently in receipt of CH 35 benefits. The VA initiated a claim on him and the results are below:

"In our CH35 Dependent Removal Due Process dated, XXXX,, we proposed to reduce your benefits because your dependent, XXXX, elected to receive VA Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Chapter 35. According to the provisions of 38 CFR §21.3023 and 38 U.S.C. §3562, you are prohibited the concurrent receipt of VA Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Chapter 35 and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation or pension. Therefore, we have removed your dependent, XXXX, from your award effective the date VA DEA (CH 35) started, XXXX. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This action will create a debt to you. In addition, an election to receive VA DEA Chapter 35 or education benefits under the Fry Scholarship is final. Once VA pays either of the education benefits to a child, VA may not pay disability or survivors benefits to or for the same child for any period subsequent to the effective date of the first payment of education benefits."

So I owe the VA some of that money back which sucks because I didn't know about this scenario. I'll accept that I should have known or done research ahead of time. My daughter is planning on using CH 35 benefits later this month when she goes back to school. I don't want a repeat of what happened with my son, so my question is, should I preemptively remove my daughter from VA dependency before she applies for CH 35 to avoid this happening again? Thank you for your time.

My wife was in the airport this morning and spotted three Coasties in ODUs in front of her while going through security. I only retired a year ago, but I remember almost the entire time I was in it was known not to fly commercial air while in uniform (especially ODUs.) I can't remember if this was policy, unit guidance or just practice, so I was wondering if that is still the case now or has it changed? They could have been reservists, and this was on a Sunday, but not sure if that matters.