Do Veteran Organizations help?

SrA Jay Strauser — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:52:06 -0500

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2014 9:51 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:51:52 -0500

They can if you find the right one and I did.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2014 12:55 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 12:55:16 -0500

SrA Jay Strauser I'm gonna go with: YEP! Now, just as SSgt Private RallyPoint Member stated, there are Veterans Service Organizations out there that are nothing more than dark, smokey old bars. There are lots of those - and unless that's what you're looking for..........I'd avoid those. However, if you're looking for an active Veterans Service Organization allow me to offer my help in finding one for you.

I won't ask any personal questions and I don't want you to provide any personal data here in this public forum - but you can message me her on RP and I'll do what I can.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Nov 11 at 2014 2:25 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 14:25:17 -0500

On a local level, these organizations are whatever the local membership makes them... good or bad. On a National level, they are OUR voice in Washington D.C. and their combined efforts at that level are truly priceless for our active duty, veterans, and families.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 11 at 2014 4:55 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 16:55:42 -0500

I think it's hard to measure the actual value-add contributions of VSOs at a national level. I agree that they appear to have the right intentions in serving the greater military community, but I would caution all of us to not assign too much credit to VSOs without really knowing whether a bill benefiting veterans (for example) would have passed anyway, without their involvement. I know people can point to specific cases where VSOs have had clear weight in the game, but that's not what I'm referring to, and that wouldn't win the debate here anyway, because there are many other cases where it's entirely unclear beyond subjectivity. Again, I am talking about at a national level, not a personal level of helping arbitrate a VA claim. In general, I like the idea of VSOs and they are well-intentioned for the most part. Just my two cents...

Response by SSG Nick Tramontano made Jun 15 at 2015 11:30 AM

SSG Nick Tramontano — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 11:30:35 -0400

Yes, There are many organizations they offer help in various ways. I had a liason from The Order of the Purple Heart assist in getting my claim through.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 15 at 2015 12:56 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 12:56:20 -0400

The DAV has helped me immensely with the VA.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jun 15 at 2015 2:55 PM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 14:55:53 -0400

I think a lot do, I think some are probably mismanaged, some have good intentions but never exactly get there. Some are based on lies. It just depends on the organization.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 31 at 2016 3:06 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 03:06:13 -0500

i have found that the American Legion, AMVETS and also the DAV have people that are always there to assist Vets in Massachusetts. They aren't with a specific Post but actually assigned to offices specifically to assist Veterans. Also Massachusetts, every city and town in the State has a Veteran's Service Officer to assist Veteran's in their community.