r/Veterans

Honor. Sacrifice. Remembrance. 🇺🇸

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country and the freedoms we enjoy every day.

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day weekend.

I’m hoping someone here may know a workaround or point me in the right direction because I’m hitting a wall trying to obtain proof of my honorable Air Force Reserve discharge/service.

I served in the Air Force/Reserve from 2016–2022. VA Education, VA Benefits, and DEERS can all SEE and VERIFY my honorable Reserve service internally. My Post-9/11 eligibility was even updated based on that service time.

The problem is the actual DD256AF honorable discharge certificate apparently is no longer issued/reissued by the Air Force. NPRC and even a congressional inquiry both confirmed the USAF no longer stocks or reissues DD256 certificates.

Here’s where I’m stuck:

- DEERS can see the honorable service but says they cannot release/print it.

- VA can verify the service internally but I can’t download anything showing my Reserve dates/service characterization together.

- NPRC/ARPC sent me a DPRIS/personnel packet but not the Reserve honorable discharge documentation I need. None of my dd214's from when I went on active orders were in there.

- myFSS has an active expedited request open for my DD256AF/Reserve separation documentation.

- I have VA letters stating I am an honorably discharged veteran, but the organization requesting proof needs documentation specifically tying the honorable service to my Reserve dates within the last 10 years.

I’m trying to find out:

1. What document replaced the DD256AF?

2. Has anyone successfully gotten a signed honorable Reserve service verification letter recently?

3. Can a VA Regional Office or VSO print a DEERS/Reserve characterization-of-service document?

4. Is there another form/order/memo I should specifically be requesting from AFPC/myFSS/NPRC?

Any guidance would seriously help. I feel like every agency can SEE the information, but nobody can actually release the exact document.

Long time listener, first time poster.

I'm fairly familiar with the G.I Bill and have utilized it and the FAFSA when going to school in the past. Now I'm using both again to go back to school. I have been awarded the full Pell Grant amount for each semester and am 2 weeks into the summer semester (this is the first semester I'm attending this college, just decided to start in the Summer versus Fall). One in person class and 3 online classes full time, did all that stuff right for the MHA.

The school got my COE and whatever else they needed from the VA, VA sent me the letter showing MHA payment dates, etc. all is good there. The issue I've come across is when reviewing my financial aid award letter from the school to see what my reimbursement would be I noticed that the college shows they'll be deducting my tuition from my Pell Grant, and the reimbursement is what's left after that.

I figured there might be some confusion or something hasn't been updated yet but reached out to the financial aid office for clarification as to why it'd show my tuition being deducted from my financial aid when everything is already in place with the VA. They told me that if they do not receive payment from the VA before June 12th (financial aid disbursements start on June 12th) that tuition automatically gets deducted from my financial aid award.

I wasn't familiar with when the VA actually sends your tuition payment so I sent a message through AskVA or Helpdesk, whichever it was, and gave some context and asked when the payments get sent. They told me the dates and it's the dates that my courses actually end on (which I guess makes sense that they do it that way?), but that is long past June 12th.

So from what it looks like to me is that the school is trying to double dip, take my financial aid money to pay for my tuition even when they know they'll be getting the same amount from the VA two months later. I have already emailed the SCO about this in hopes of clarification but I figured maybe there's something I'm missing in this situation or some other obvious answer. If someone could either tell me I'm dumb, or that I'm right, some insight would be great.

Thank you.

I just wanted to share that I made my first mental health appointment today. I started feeling myself getting worse again and decided to finally reach out for help. I’ve struggled with mental health for years but always had this sense of pride and wanting to prove to everyone I can do everything alone. And I can’t. I know there’s some VA horror stories but I already feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest. I hope my experience is good and I get the help I need.

So I was just separated from the Navy with a "General under honorable conditions". I am in the process of applying for jobs and some ask "Have you ever received a discharge from the military that was other than honorable?"

Can I answer no? I didn't get the full honorable discharge but it's not dishonorable either

Hi! Hit the rock bottom. And decided, that I am better than that.

Was wondering if anyone has an experience with a substance rehab recently ? If yes, could you please share your experiences and where it was?

I know they sometimes offer inpatient va or in the community. I live in Seattle.

Hope everyone is well

Thank you in advance

Thanks

Going to keep ot brief. He is the vet, and im worried the VA isn't properly helping. Over the past 2 years he has gotten increasingly lost/hostile. He has depression and anxiety and hes been taking it out on me to the point of separation. If I was to write to the VA about the mental spiral downward and how he has physically hurt me. Will he get in legal trouble, will he get his disability taken away? Or will they listen and take action and get him the help he needs. He wasn't like this before he deployed. He came back angry and sad. I know he doesn't try to hurt me so I dont want there to be negative repercussions. Any advice will help, and yes im okay, I moved out. ​

Separation is coming up and I keep looking at job postings that feel like a step backwards. After running operations and leading teams for years, the idea of starting at the bottom of someone else's org chart doesn't sit right. Franchise ownership keeps making more sense the more I look into it. Proven systems, training, support, defined territory, but you're the one building and running the thing. Started pulling FDDs on a few categories and home services stands out so far. Lower overhead than food or retail, the work is physical and operational, and the businesses run on essential services that hold up regardless of what the economy does. Still early in the process and haven't narrowed down an industry or a brand yet. If anyone here went the franchise route after service, what did your research actually look like? What mattered most when you were comparing options? And knowing what you know now, would you do it again?

This bum ass company called NewDay USA keep calling me.

From what I’ve googled on them. They are some kind of legitimate company yet the primary customer base is enlisted or prior enlisted veterans and they “assist” with home buying.

I know why they’re calling me probably as I just finalized a loan myself that probably reported publicly.

Anyway these scam artist started called me.

Their voice mail message content was specifically structured to sound like a message similar to what you’d get from the VA to discuss my benefits.

When I finally answered one call the guy on the phone stated he’s following up from interest mail (snail mail) they received from me. Having not sent a letter since probably basic it’s clearly bullshit.

Anyway just calling out these shady fucks here.

Im looking for advice as to where in W. Virginia is best for veteran services. I need good health care and mental health services. Im currently in Texas and hate the weather and havnt had the best experience with the doctors here. I really appreciate it. Thank you

Not that we didn't have an assortment of horrors. My heart still starts pumping every time I see trash in the road. But watching footage from Ukraine... that does not look fun. We have a reality check coming in the next ground war.

I recently had an appointment regarding the Chapter 31 VR&E program. During the meeting, the counselor explained that because I am currently rated TDIU/P&T, they would likely need additional medical information regarding my ability to return to work before moving forward.
I decided to pause the process for now because I did not want to create any conflict with my current disability status. My understanding was that VR&E could help me pursue education now with the long-term goal of eventually returning to work in the future, rather than immediately.
I was hoping to get guidance on how veterans on TDIU typically navigate VR&E, and whether there are legal or benefit-related concerns I should be aware of before considering reapplying later.

Received an email yesterday from my university after I certified my classes for the summer study abroad session. Apparently the VA is now reviewing what programs are going to be allowed to use VA funding for study abroad. I had spoke with my counselor and she did not mention that, but did say that it depended on if my classes were required to graduate with my degree. My study abroad is taken care of but that is only because I was able to secure a scholarship from a family foundation, a grant from the university for being military connected and my summer pell grant, but it is kind of messed up for everyone right now who might be doing study abroad.

Does anyone know how much time I can miss of class? One person said I need to go to 1 class per week & another said 1 class per every other week. I am wanting to miss 3 days which is 1 week for me, to take a trip. Any info would be appreciated! I don’t want to get in trouble while I’m in the VR&E program.

If spouse is unable to accompany me to same day surgery at the VA, can I still Uber in and provide them with contact info? Two health issues here need logistic help. Thx!

I’ve been out of the Air Force for about 7 years now and my wife is finally getting close to her Air Force retirement so we’ve been thinking about where to go after. It’s kind of an overwhelming decision considering for as long as I can remember we just go where the military sends us. Where are some places you all have loved living after the service?

Hey everyone,

I’m a veteran currently working in human services/case management for other veterans, and honestly I’ve hit a wall. Before cancer, I could handle the stress a lot better, but after going through treatment and coming out the other side, I’ve realized this field has become detrimental to my health mentally and physically. The emotional exhaustion, constant crisis management, and high stress environment just don’t feel sustainable for me anymore.

I’m grateful to still be here, but surviving cancer really changed my perspective on what I can realistically put my body and mind through long term. I don’t want to spend every day feeling drained and overwhelmed anymore.

The problem is I make decent pay right now (\~$31/hr), and it feels intimidating trying to pivot into something completely different without starting over financially. I’m open to learning new skills or certifications if needed. I just know I need out of direct human services work.

Have any other veterans here successfully transitioned into a less stressful field after burnout, medical issues, or major life changes? What careers did you move into?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been through something similar. Thanks guys.