u/Puzzleheaded-Cat2299

Hey!

Long-time lurker. First-time poster!

While researching personal finance, I found Dave Ramsey. My parents are immigrants who did their best, but money management simply wasn't something they could teach me.

I willed my way to a six-figure tech job and was miserable. At my worst, I weighed 400 lbs, was in therapy twice a week, and my therapist was pushing for more intense care and medication. It was bad.

I dropped to 250 and joined the army to work in military mental health. I enjoy it. So much so that I am:

• living on a written budget
• paid off my student loan debt
• have an emergency fund
• doing my masters in public policy (MPP) and will do another masters in Spanish linguistics for free using my state benefits. Team no student loans lol!
• maxing out my TSP/IRA

I spoke with a medical recruiter and don't qualify for the Army's social work program, but I can use my federal benefits to earn my MSW and commission later. My plan is to serve a contract or two, then transition to the VA. A provider at work even recommended I do a doctorate since I like school so much and it is free.

All of this comes from just listening to Dave Ramsey and "live like no one else."

Despite this, my family is negative and hard to communicate with — they think I need to "live more" and say things like "you don't even know if you'll retire." Last night I was talking to my sister, a teacher, who didn't know whether she had a pension, asked me why an IRA mattered, and then asked me for gas money.

I guess despite what the media says I still have "hope" for the future and I am just doing things I enjoy.

Hey!

I am flying home tomorrow from Virginia.

I was curious if there were any unique events going on this Memorial Day weekend?

I am open to:
- farmers markets
- concerts
- random classes
- food truck rallies

Thanks ahead of time for reading

Hey!

I was curious if you had any books to learn more about CBT in general?

Like what it is and how it “works.”

I tried doing some perusing, but a lot of what I am seeing is just self help or pop psychology

Hello!

I’m active duty Army, currently finishing my MPP. My ultimate goal is to get my MSW and transition into case management at the VA.

I’m in a fortunate position. The military is covering my school, and with about two years left on my contract, I’m looking at picking up another degree before I transition out.

Someone suggested an MPA, but I’d rather pursue something I’m actually interested in.

I’ve been looking at an MPH, or a master’s in community outreach (in Spanish). They both look cool.

Hello!

I’m active duty Army, currently finishing my MPP. My ultimate goal is to get my MSW and transition into case management at the VA.

I’m in a fortunate position. The military is covering my school, and with about two years left on my contract, I’m looking at picking up another degree before I transition out.

Someone suggested an MPA, but I’d rather pursue something I’m actually interested in.

I’ve been looking at an MPH, or a master’s in community outreach (in Spanish). They both look cool.

Hello!

I plan to start my MSW in 2028, but are there any degrees I could pursue in the meantime that would complement it?

I already have my masters in public policy (mpp), but I was looking at an MBA or masters in community out reach (with a concentration in Spanish).

Is there a specific degree you would recommend?

I am fortunate where my employers will cover the cost and work at the va/case management

Thanks for reading

Hey!

So I am looking for a book on a niche era of history.

I really enjoyed Ghengis Khan: making of the modern world.

Thanks for any suggestions ahead of time

Hey!

I’m active duty Army, and yesterday I attended a briefing for soldiers interested in commissioning into a medical branch.

The recruiter was cool, but he told us the most competitive branch is dental. He said you’d basically have to cure cancer to commission as a dentist since it is so competitive.

I asked why, and he said, “People want to become dentists, just not with $700k in student loan debt.”

How accurate is that?

Hey dad!

I’m going home on Friday. I am going to check out a school I got into for my msw.

I asked my ma and three sisters to come, but everyone was busy. I know I shouldn’t care or take it personally, but I need to learn to be happy with myself and my choices.

Hey!

Active duty army here and looking to do NG after this contract.

I am a 68x (behavioral health specialist.) I enjoy what I do. So much so I am going to get an msw after this contract.

That being said - I am probably going to reclass to 17E just for shits and giggles.

Anyone else have an MOS different from their civilian job?

Hey!

Background

• I joined the army because I wanted to do "more."
• so far I have enjoyed the army and the people I have met.
• but there has been some issues
• in basic - I had a DS ask me if I have ever been tested for Autism because I reminded him of his special needs son.
• I did get tested and I am on the spectrum lol!

Currently

• I currently work in a 68-series
• I have been counseled multiple times for performance.
• I struggle with appearing professional, getting overwhelmed, and rushing through tasks.
• I am fully cognizant of what is required of me and what the standard is, but sometimes I get overstimulated, and my brain "turns off."
• my command is cool and is working with me, but I feel like the army is not the place for me.
• I have about 18-months left on my contract.

Next steps

• I have been asking my command for feedback and they have been helpful, but I still get overstimulated. I just want to finish this contract strong and move on.

What would you recommend I do? My supervisor said an article 15 is a possibility if things don't change.

Hey!

Background
I used to be a data engineer, but I quit to join the military.

Summary
I am currently active duty army and work in mental health. I am finishing up my masters in public policy (mpp) and looking to do my masters in Spanish linguistics after

I was looking at my options post-army:
- just got into my masters in social work (msw)
- want to do national guard for continued benefits

I was looking at being a case manager for the VA, but it got me thinking about other opportunities

Next steps
In your experience: what are social work type roles that exist in your agency?

Hey!

So I recently got into Loyolas fully online bilingual msw program, but I was also looking at UIC’s PM part-time program.

Loyola would be fully online, while UIC would require two in-person nights per week. Both are fully funded.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

A bilingual program is appealing, but since I already speak English, Spanish, and conversational Mandarin, the added value may be limited. I’ll likely pursue a master’s in Spanish linguistics soon, and I currently do medical interpretation in Spanish at work.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I was talking to my therapist (who is a LCSW) and she said it’s personal preference, but if single, and can make the commute in-person would be ideal.

Question: is there anything I should take into account when making this decision?

Hey!

I could really use some support right now. It’s been a rough one.

Background

- I walked away from a six-figure tech job because it was making me miserable, joined the army, and lost 150 lbs to do it.
- Basic was incredibly hard on me physically. I almost didn’t make it through the ACFT.
- I was on profile all of AIT and most of my first year in the army.
- Since then I’ve been doing everything I’m supposed to: PT, physical therapy, health and wellness. Joined a running group on Strava that my installation has. All of it.
- But today my back completely gave out during the plank and I failed the AFT.

Next steps
- The people around me are supportive and they see me working hard, and I appreciate that. I literally have a journal of positive things people have said about me.
- In fact, one of the physical therapist saw what happened and told me to come to his clinic today to do an exam and see what is going on.
- Now I have to meet with my first sergeant and potentially retest in a few days.

I keep pushing and pushing and I’m still not where I want to be.

Hey!

So I have my ba in history and I became a data engineer. I was completely self-taught.

I did not like that kind of work so I joined the army and I currently work in military mental health.

I enjoy this line of work. I don’t think I’ll work in therapy long term since I get overstimulated, but I’ll probably move into case management or policy.

Part of the reason I made this change is because my coworkers accommodate my neurodivergence, and the work doesn’t overstimulate me.

Hey!

I am active duty army and my state offers free tuition for veterans. Right now I am doing my mpp, will do a masters in Spanish linguistics, and eventually I will do my MSW.

I was talking to one of the providers at work and she suggested I look at my DSW since I like school and the army will not only pay for it, but also pay me a salary while I’m in school.

I don’t know anyone with a DSW. I don’t really have a “goal.” I just like learning new things.

If you have a DSW what do you do?