r/Veterans

I'm a disabled veteran nearly finished with my masters degree. Since then I have been going to college using my G.I. bill and every month looking for work related to my field and networking with those I meet in class. Unfortunately many of them are in their early 20's and focused on the fun part of the college experience. Professors may offer connections here and there but its always an ICE advertisement or something near the college city which is a 3+ hour drive from my house. I was an Intelligence Analyst and I would like to do something not military related but of course I'm feeling a bit desperate at this point.

USA jobs is an awful site. Anytime I search for jobs in my area the first jobs listed are "Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)" eventually when I do find something on the military base near me, it's an Army recruiter disguising an active duty contract as a legitimate job opportunity. The state I live in also has a terrible job search site with little available and 95% of the jobs on Indeed or LinkedIn are data collection traps. Job fairs offer work but after having 10 years experience and soon a masters degree in my field, also not to mention the injuries from service, I am not looking to retrain into being a part time traveling HVAC tech or the generic "laborer" title. It is not that I feel I am above these jobs, it is that accepting them would be abandoning all of the work I have put in thus far and bluntly a waste of my skill set. Despite that I often consider taking a job as a bartender or anything that gets me out of the house.

Very fortunately I have a good savings, a very supportive wife, and VA disability compensation. I planned for this potential job market before separating. However, it has been a year now and although my job search has not been intense, it's been enough to highlight how little there is out there. I just wanted to vent and see if others were finding the same struggle.

I have been in this community for a little over a year now and things are starting to not add up. When asked questions there are walls around the answers. Volunteer positions are being filled only when an NDA is signed. The money trail just isn't lining up. Initial analysis suggests that the company has been improperly formed and has been misappropriating funds. Does anyone know of any information to confirm before our nation's veterans receive another devastating blow dealt by one of their own?

I am an active duty 25B E5 thinking about getting out. I have a bachelor’s in IT, Sec+, and a TS/SCI, so defense contracting is the main option I am looking at.

For those who went from active duty to contracting, how big was the real pay jump once you factored in losing BAH, BAS, Tricare, and all the other military benefits? Did contracting still end up being a major increase, or did the numbers end up closer than expected?

Did any of you stay Reserve to help offset the difference? Was that worth it?

I am also wondering if staying in is actually the better financial move long term once everything is added up.

I like the people, but I am tired of field time, deployments, and the training cycle. I want to make the smartest financial decision.

What should I be considering before making the jump?
Anything you wish you knew beforehand?

Here I am, getting irrationally angry hearing fireworks. My wife understood and is having fun out there with the neighbors and stuff and I'm just doing all the tips and tricks to not scream

Veterans Day, I’m fine.. Memorial Day, I’m fine

For some reason 4th of July makes me sad and I find myself staying solo and inside not wanting to hear or see one firework. My old battle is the same exact way and she’s on the other side of the country

Anyone else?

I struggle with ptsd. I have some friends who also have ptsd. They told me to reach out to them when I need help. I have on a few occasions and got ignored. Im conflicted in if I am allowed to feel hurt by this or if thats part of life.

I got out of the Army in 2022 after 12 years of service. I was a 88M (truck driver) and ETS'd as a E-6. My spouse was active duty and is ETS'ing and will be out of the Army soon in a week.

We make enough to survive on our VA disability ratings, but it basically leaves us house poor with no money to do much of anything or save up for things we need in the future (car, house, emergencies etc.). It basically covers our rent and food and that's it; which I am thankful for.

Mentally I am at my wits end...I'm exhausted. When I ETS'd from the Army, I went to college before we PCS'd and became a licensed pilot with an instrument rating. It was a ton of work, and when we moved I had hoped to start working towards my commercial rating. My goal was to become a flight instructor, build hours and eventually work my way into a regional airline position. However, the job market for aviation has dried up (mostly due to the economy and other issues with Airlines [Spirit etc.]) and is expected to be quite stagnant for several years. I have friends who have graduated and have been unable to find flight instructing jobs as pilots anywhere. I've even networked with a few regional and legacy pilots, who work at different airlines. No one is hiring.

Since we have moved, I applied for hundreds of jobs. I have a CDL (Class A) license, and couldn't get a job as a truck driver. Companies want documented CDL experience for their insurance. I have a ton of experience in logistics management and administrative work. I applied for jobs in logistics management, local CDL driving and many administrative positions (management).

I went on base to talk to someone who specializes in resume writing and had them review my resume to see if it needed improvement. They gave me a few tips, which I used, but they said my resume was decent and not too diversified (which is what they see a lot).

The only job I have gotten is with USPS as a city carrier making $21.21 an hour. Yesterday I walked over 22 miles in the hot Texas sun delivering mail all day (it was 97 degrees), avoided getting bit by a dog and got home late. I'm exhausted and for the first time in my adulthood, I think I am experiencing depression. I feel mentally beat and frustrated.

The VA recently told me there is a delay in getting a med I need. I am new to the VA. Does this happen often?

24M, no kids, 2a9x3 Barksdale AFB (first & only duty station)

Hello! I have a year and 1 months of my 6 year contract and am leaning towards getting out but am still unsure. During my time in I’ve dealt with constant mild- severe mental health issues, physical issues and being stationed at Barksdale I obviously haven’t had the best base. I’m currently seeing a specialist for my back and am waiting for a diagnosis but it’s looking like a disc related issue. Most of my joints feel like they’re getting worst month by month and sleep is all out of wack. So overall I just feel like a wreck most of the time lol. I do like being in maintenance but with how almost every week is a 50 hour week for regular ops it’d be nice to get paid more. Next month my bop and cross train window opens up so I could very well change location or jobs so I’d get out of Barksdale finally.

I’m currently working on getting my A&P which seems to make good money on the outside (80-90k starting at airline hubs). I also have T/S clearance so I’m sure that can open even more doors for me as well. I’m open to moving pretty much anywhere as long as I have a job lined up but have been drawn to moving out west somewhere like Utah or Oregon with mountains and enjoyable nature. I’ve also been thinking about doing full time school when I get out to possibly get an even better job.

Any advice on staying or leaving or overall advice is much appreciated I’ve been stressing myself out over this topic worried I’m going to make the “wrong” decision. Thanks in advance!

Im spinning. He kept me feeling safe. He took the edge off. I am lost.

Edit: thank you everyone. Thank you for your post. I think im in shock. Or holding it in. I think im breaking. I think i need a dog right away but I am absolutely broken right now. I just buried him. And I still see him in the corner of my eyes.

I have a storage rental that I am taking over. There is one stall that was rented to a woman who was storing her brother's property (including a car) while he would be overseas under previous management. The previous management believed he was giving her to money to store it and she would just pay the rent. It has been over a year since she has ghosted the previous management.

I have scheduled with a locksmith to pick the lock so I can try and get the guys name either via something to identify him or maybe using the vin off the car. Legally I have been told I could sell the property because they have no contract with him but with the sister. The owner and I agree this will not happen. However that leads me to my next problem. I have no idea how to navigate contacting the military to get a hold of him. I don't even know what branch he is in.

Any advice on how to check if he is in the military and what branch he is serving? After that how do I get in contact with him? I don't want him coming home to thing everything is gone.

Got my dd214 not too long ago and signed a year long contract with the national guard. I only applied for one job and completely bombed the callinterview. I still don’t know what to do after AD. Does anybody have advice on what to do or what they did for jobs after getting out?

Checking out early asked for advice/help and I just get ignored, none of the hotlines are picking up, there seems to be no help and I’m tired of trying. Even if there was help it doesn’t matter it will take too long for me to recover might as well do everyone a favor and delete myself. Sucks it came down to this but I don’t want to keep going life is hell on earth.

Edit: decided to turn my phone off and go for a walk and try to enjoy all the small things. Woke up today feeling better kind of accepting things for what they are. I’m still worried and nervous but I’m trying to keep a positive outlook. Everything will be fine best part about rock bottom is the only way from here is up. I appreciate y’all sharing your experiences and thank you for the kind words. I am good, I am safe.

Tomorrow is July 4th, the one day of the year that sets me on edge. This will the first July 4th after my wife has passed, not sure how I’m gonna get through this. Usually, I go out of town and find some place remote and quiet with other veterans who also cannot stand July 4th. This year, I’ve got our three dogs to take care of and though they’re good with fireworks, I’m not. I am really frightened that I will have a severe anxiety and panic attack with no one around. Does anybody have a good way to deal with fireworks?

Hearing loss is said to be the #1 service-connected disability. Therefore, it is logical that some veterans in Virginia will benefit from the new law in Virginia that went into effect on July 1, for open captions (on-screen subtitles) in movie theaters. This new law requires all Virginia theaters with five or more locations - meaning AMC, Regal, Cinemark, and Alamo Drafthouse - in Virginia to have limited regular open caption screenings. Theaters with less than five locations have to offer an open caption screening within eight days of a request.

https://preview.redd.it/t8hdq6bf68bh1.png?width=786&format=png&auto=webp&s=f6ca870da4fd109b90e2a8c449d6fe6e748fbe19

Hey yall, I hope everyone is doing fine. I got out of the navy over 10 months ago been in school and stuff but running into civilians and trying to adjust has been hard. I feel like I cant connect bc they don't understand simple structure or a certain disconnection. I could be going crazy who knows lmaooo. What is yalls experience with civilians getting out?

Quick rant, just got a haircut
Accidentally rubbed the corner of my tail light into the side of another truck and drove away.
Almost 0 damage to my light. He had about a 4 x4 in scrape.
I sincerely didnt feel anything, so i drove away, like i didnt feel a ding or my truck suddenly stop, i just thought i got wide tires and im on pavement so im rubbint or something, but i Received a call from the barber thank god so i circled back. I literally wasnt a block away.
As soon as i got back i apologized sincerly like im sorry dude it was and accident. Bro decided to focus on the fact that a drive away. But i was gone for maybe 2 mins as i pulled a u turn safely.

Long story short bro wouldnt talk to me at all was hostile the entire time, made a point to bring up something me and my barber talked about that he overheard. Which if you know you know goes completely against barber shop code. Obviously dude was a fat asshole and fortunately for him my right eye is almost completely blurry so i rubbed against is soft 2026 chevy truck. Or his paint is soft idk. But i have eye surgery soon.

The cop that pulled up was an older woman so i held out hope. Wrong, she mustve knew him or been related.
She wouldn’t take my proof of insurance on my phone wouldn’t take my licence and then threatened to right the report up saying i had no insurance?
Like maam PLEASE.. look at my phone for the love of god.
She let me go with no issue except she kept telling me to be quiet after she would ask me a question and i would try to answer calmly?

Im about 2 weeks off of generic prozak cold turkey so ive not been myself but i think i handled it well considering how manic/depressed Ive been.

Near knoxville, Tennessee
Im half white/Mexican but im on the browner side of white if that actually matters. I try not to think it does because it doesn’t matter to me.
Not looking for sympathy i was in the wrong but this ugly motherF was saying some uncalled for shit for no reason.
K9LTW Go navy beat army
One love brothers and sister. I sincerly love all of you 🤙🏼