r/Veterans

What's everyone's favorite military myth, or the one they can't believe are still going around?

I'll start with two:

Myth 1 - You can't shoot at enemy troops with a .50 caliber. This one has been around since Vietnam, and even after the GWOT, I know I heard people still repeating it.

Myth 2 - The Basic Training Buffer Suicide. Guy at basic training gets a Dear John letter, and decides to end it by standing in a third story window, tying a buffer cord around his neck, and throwing the buffer out of the window. Buffer cord is too long, buffer hits the ground, breaks, and he has to pay for it. I know we were told that had happened recently when I went to basic in 1998, but another DS told us the next day that story was BS because he'd heard the same story when he went through. I've heard this story being retold a few different times through the 20 years I was in, LOL. Each time, the person telling it said it had been the Basic class right before theirs.

Anyone else have any good favorites, or maybe some good ones from another branch?

Yup, I’ve been out since 2022 but I dreamed about me being in the army again. Started in basic, as usual. But it’s not me going back as a younger self. It’s usually my current self going back in there and me worrying about my gf/family/work etc.

I’m pretty sure a lot of you guys have these recurring dreams about being back in. Not just basic. But my question is, how often? For me it’s around once or less per month

I recently (month and a half ago) moved from one amazing state, to one horrible state to be closer to my kids. EVERYTHING has been hell since moving here. No AC in a 100 plus weather, thank god for my deployments and knowing of ice sheets. Then being sick for a whole month due to black mold infestation in my HVAC system. I have to move again, pay for another place again, all while sick with fever and upper respiratory issues. I’ve since ran out of my savings with my move, two down payments. I have tried using ssvf (didn’t qualify) I’m a 100% disabled. I have to move everything myself as I can’t afford movers. I do all this while trying to find work and Uber Eats for money. I get a bite at home depot but never hear back. I go in and physically drop off a resume, nothing still. I get another snag and afco Steele. I get the job! Only to find after a my physical I can only lift 50lbs and must wear a brace. They rescind their offer. After all this bull I finally get an offer to have it pulled away. My hope is depleted, I have gone from homeless to horrible home to good place but broke af with no relief in sight. I’m ready to give up every day.

Vulnerable moment here.
Did 6 years 8 months in and then 2 back to back combat deployments which I wanted. Right before my second deployment I was in a dark place, numbing myself with drinking and just sleeping around . The mix of the military life and older trauma was just taking its toll on me. So pre deployment leave I guess had a drunken night , and got someone I know pregnant I personally don’t remember that night but she was sober. So she didn’t tell me anything until right when I was about to deploy. While over seas leadership got in my head saying I need to be a man, marry her and give her insurance hit couldn’t bring myself to do it and she was pissed . She knew I never wanted to have a child with her. I came home from deployment and immediately bombarded with that while trying to adjust to “normality” and getting made to be painted as a bad person because I felt no connection to anyone. Even as the years had gone by I tried being as present as possible only to be met with resistance from her mom n her try to paint me as a pos but will make it hot n cold when it comes to the relationship with the child. Over all I feel no connection towards her n I know I’m not “broken” because I have nieces n nephews that I love with all my heart n would do anything for. I have always been the one son or relative who has lived far away n stays apart from them n left home .And I am trying to do what’s right but idk how to navigate it but I’m constantly made out to be the “deadbeat “ but her mom who gets all the praise has done some pretty fucked things but I try to respect her as much as possible it’s just a constant lose lose at times n peoples only suggestion is go to court . But like I said I feel no connection towards her and just am happy she is safe n fed n in good hands when she sees my family etc even though I still try to be there.

Do things ever change when it comes to feeling that connection? Or is it worth been pursuing ?
I don’t like forcing shit but I’ got so tired of trying that I just stepped away because her mom has threatened my freedom multiple times with calling the police to trespass me

OK, I searched and no one has asked this question. I really want to see Heart of the Beast. As a Veteran, with managed PTSD--except for when trauma steps in--I am curious if other Veterans have seen this in the theater. I already know the ending, and that is what I think will send me over the edge. Has anyone with a similar situation seen the movie and your thoughts (without giving away the ending for those that dont know)? Almost all movies like this, I have to wait till at home streaming but I am not sure I can handle this.

So my bank returned my bah but not my disability payment. I’m currently homeless. When it got returned I had to wait till the 7th for them to even send the check just to find out today because I moved out of my last apartment my hold mail order doesn’t matter. They just sent back the check. I’ve been paying for hotels and applying to apartments and not I’m completely tapped out. I have nothing. They told me to get a P.O. Box but I don’t have money. How am I supposed to get this money? What am I even supposed to do? I verified my account number and routing and they said it’s the same on file. Am I just SOL?

My family and I took a trip to the zoo this weekend. I was nervous. It had been the first time I was in a big space like that since coming home.

The part that I didn’t really understand was the aviary. While my family was impressed with birds and talking about how great it was, I noticed the building was quiet. I could hear the sound of the water and the wind and the birds. I got a little emotional.

It’s like all the things that happened hit me at once and I was sad and relived and happy and angry all at once. My therapist said that’s part of grieving and healing is that you have those moments.

My life is finally starting to settle down. After a very long time and a very difficult deployment, I have very ordinary things going on and…. I need that and I love that but the quiet moments do bring tears sometimes.

I appreciate the quiet moments more now. I enjoy the ordinary and mundane things around my house and around my life.

This smaller world I have going on feels like it’s something I must have needed.

I've been separated for 2 years, prior Air Force. Money is tight and I've found myself reminiscing of my time in, recently my wife and I have been discussing me reenlisting if things start getting worse. My wife comes from a military family and spent the first 15 years of her life being dragged around to different bases. Then we started dating before I joined and we were long distance for my entire enlistment. So reenlisting would essentially mean the majority of her life is affiliated with the military. After getting out we've made some of our own choices on where to work and live, etc. And the freedom is nice but we're struggling to live comfortably. We want to start a family but can't afford it in our current situation. Re-enlisting would mean more sacrifice and throwing away the decisions we've made on our own at this point, but it feels like it'll be the only way out soon.

Looking at my soon to be ex girlfriend’s dusty ass flag buried in her closet from her SF Korean War dad… nobody cares about us lol

I’ll take a case of Keystone Light

I’m an Air Force veteran who separated in 2024. I’m currently living in Puerto Rico and working security, but I’m seriously thinking about moving back to the mainland.
I moved here hoping to build a good life, but it’s been hard to find steady work with room to grow. A lot of jobs I’ve found pay around $12 an hour, and I’m looking for full-time work that pays better and can help me build a more stable future. I receive VA disability, and I’m also planning to continue school through VR&E.
I’ve been looking at places like North Carolina and Florida, but I’m still trying to figure out where I’d have the best chance of finding veteran-friendly work without getting buried by the cost of living. I’m interested in logistics, lodging, airport or base operations.
For anyone who moved from a one state to another : how did you plan the move, and what do you wish you’d known beforehand? And for veterans in those states, what areas or employers would you recommend looking into?

This is crushing, I have been out of work for almost 6 months. I keep applying but everytime its "well your phsycial limitations will make this job too difficult. Then where tf am i supposed to work ya know. I interveiwed for an assembly job position at a weapons manufacturer today, I have more than enough experience from the Army and everything is perfect. Im told i aced the interveiw and that they really liked my personality. But now i get the news that since i wont be able to do a totally different position thats standing 8 hours a day that means i can get the seated job that is exactly what i needed. I was told its only because of my phsyical limitations. On one hand i get it i guess, but thats not the job i applied for or did an interveiw for. Im depressed, im hopeless and its starting to get the better of me. I have been to so many interveiws, ive tried to start school multiple times but either va or vr&e keep messing up my applications and having to restart. What the actual hell am i supposed to do.

Currently unemployed, 100% P&T and just got served divorce papers. Everything is falling apart, roof needs replaced, car is running poorly and now wife wants half the equity of the house, child support and me to pay for health insurance on top of that. I have been applying for jobs for well over a year with absolutely no luck. I’m scared I will be homeless in the next few months when this divorce is final. I don’t know what to do. I can’t afford a lawyer, can’t find a job and have no money , resources or options. I know I’m not the only person to have gone through this so maybe someone out there has some advice, insight or even a job opportunity. I’m located west of San Antonio.

Anyone else dealing with depression that is hitting hard lately? I have lost all motivation for school…and just doing life. Not suicidal. Just feeling really down.

This is my first ever Reddit post and I feel lost that on the fact that I have to ask Reddit this. This is probably gonna be a long one

I just received 100 P&T a couple months ago and am still working. My plans next year are to leave my job and stay home full time. I’ve caught a lot of hate about it from especially my dad (Old skool gwot) and family including my wife about it.

My wife and I are in our mid twenties with one kid starting school next year and another one possibly starting as well. I understand the duality of the extra income but I’m not happy at my work. I’ve searched and nothing in my area seems fitting for me (especially shift wise) I’ve looked into going back to school when I leave but nothing really looks fitting or has nothing in this area to do.I’m currently on 2nd shift hours so I would be able to drop the kids off but nothing else. I’m working on paying off a lot of our debt and start us off with a decent savings before I make the effective date. After I got out, I lost all of my sense of purpose and really ever since I got my rating, my sense of purpose is to stay home, take care of the house and let my kids and wife prosper, no longer having to worry about someone watching the kids and etc. I just want to be self reliant.

I think this post is really just wanting reassurance that I’m not the only one who’s doing this. That I’m not alone on the dream of being there and always for my family. Budget wise, Once my debt is clear minus the house and car payment, all of the necessary bills will be taken care of with extra, that’s including placing money in savings. My wife would really have to cover groceries and minor stuff if I can’t cover but that shouldn’t happen.

39M, Marine Vet.

Been feeling low, lost, and broken.

I served from 2005-2016.

Went to college. Got my bachelor's degree and entered the corporate workforce.

It's been 4 and half years and 4 companies later. I have imposter syndrome alot. I had 2 companies I enjoyed but am at my current one because of a layoff earlier this year.

Been looking for somewhere else or something else. I miss my dog and my boyfriend the most. I get paid decently but wish I could work from home or have a better work life balance.

Somedays I just feel so lost and like I'm going through the motions just to make it through the day.

Used half my GI Bill, got approved for VRE, this is my first semester using it.

Found out my wife was having an affair and I’m away from my hometown, and my wife deployed. I’ve been sleeping all day and don’t have any energy to study.

I’m scared, I keep telling myself to get up and study but I can’t. I don’t know what’s gonna happen, who do I even talk to about this?

I want to quit school and just do a trade program, but how do I do that? I’m so lost and scared, I don’t want to wake up.

Just got the notice that year 2 payments have been calculated, it is a significant jump from last year.