Have you done anything in your post-military life to meet or continue to work with other former military personnel?

PO3 Celesta (Fox,Parks) Davis — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 13:31:48 -0400

Have you looked for and/or been able to find organizations that bring former (or current) military members together for socializing and/or volunteer/charitable projects? What have you done to keep close ties with the military/veteran community? Please tell us about it.

Response by SPC Jesse Bruno made Apr 15 at 2015 1:38 PM

SPC Jesse Bruno — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 13:38:47 -0400

i have joined the VFW, AL, and CVMA 1 because i just feel more comfortable around other vets.
and 2 i want to do all i can to supotr our troops and help my brother through the hard times of transitioning to civ life.

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Apr 15 at 2015 1:53 PM

CPT Bruce Rodgers — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 13:53:10 -0400

I serve as a volunteer VSO

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Apr 15 at 2015 1:56 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 13:56:11 -0400

I have never gone out of my way to work with veterans but have always enjoyed working with them more so than non-veterans. There are shared values and work ethic that seems to come from service.

I only joined the VFW and AL recently in response to the poor performance of the VA. Apparently we need to stick together and have one another's back in peace as well as war.

Response by PO3 Celesta (Fox,Parks) Davis made Apr 15 at 2015 3:06 PM

PO3 Celesta (Fox,Parks) Davis — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 15:06:34 -0400

I love the VFW and the AL. Such wonderful organizations, fighting for the rights of veterans every day on the front lines in Washington DC.

Response by Sgt Adam Jennings made Apr 15 at 2015 3:35 PM

Sgt Adam Jennings — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 15:35:38 -0400

I'm a member, and currently a strong advocate, of the Dalton State College Veteran's RSO. We're trying to build an organization at the college that will help the transition for future veterans at this college to transition more easily without some of the same hiccups we've all had a long the way.

Response by SrA Eric Olsen made Apr 15 at 2015 4:59 PM

SrA Eric Olsen — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 16:59:35 -0400

Yes. I belong to a group called the Cascade Warbirds. It's affiliated with the EAA. I would have to say that a majority of us in the group were either pilots or ground personal working on a wide variety of aircraft when they were in the service. Since a good number of them own aircraft that had a service life at one point a few of us like myself are able to marshal and move them around at airshows without ever having to turn a wrench on one. It's a great group and one of the few that I have ever joined where I felt at home with.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 15 at 2015 6:52 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 18:52:19 -0400

Yes I do a little volunteer work with the geriatric patients at a VA hospital. I talk to veterans to see how they are doing and explaining benefits that they might but should be receiving.

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Apr 17 at 2015 10:59 AM

LTC Hillary Luton — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 10:59:10 -0400

In a sense - yes. Actually I started working with Warriors on the Water 5 years ago, before my retirement. WOW puts on an annual Bass Fishing Tournement for 150 service members. Everything is funded through donations and sponsors. I have been the Volunteer Coordinator for 4 years now. I do other volunteer work in my community, which has a high military/veteran population to include being in charge of adult activities.

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made Apr 17 at 2015 11:11 AM

MAJ Dallas D. — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 11:11:41 -0400

When I retired I started a company to help veterans find employment in the IT field. I did that for 2 years before I had to shut the company down.

I also am on the board of directors for a non-profit here in Jacksonville that helps homeless veterans (Association of US Military Veterans).

I am a Life member of the VFW and American Legion.

I recently joined CVMA FL 20-2 and the mission of CVMA is "Vets Helping Vets' and we do lots of things to help our fellow veterans.

I love being around fellow veterans, we just speak the same language and have the same values.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 17 at 2015 11:20 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 11:20:11 -0400

When I punched out of the uniform side in 2003, I continued my civil service career for another 10 years before hanging that one up too. I found there was a huge void despite transition programs to assist military in their transition. Most of it relates to "What should I consider important for my family and I and how do I find out so I can make an informed decision?" So over time word go out that there was this retired guy that mentors and helps you get on a track for working things out. 17-1830 was a good time to hang and help. I'd also spend time with them on ditching assumptions like "I'm military so they'll want me". Most took my advice, some didn't. A Didn't was a Trident sub skipper who had a resume that said "CO of a nuclear missile submarine. Able to destroy cities." He then couldn't understand why companies wouldn't talk to him how he wanted them too. He was in TPU following a "Loss of Confidence" incident, so to me the pattern fit.

The best thing you can do is to pass it on. Make time to help your shipmates because they'll always be your shipmates. Many times you won't know the positive impact because it frequently happens down the road. I always enjoy hearing about "15 years ago Gunny told me this and I never forgot".

Response by AN Eric Miller made Apr 18 at 2015 12:41 PM

AN Eric Miller — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 12:41:51 -0400

As I'm now a Christian Minister, we try to reach out to local Veterans along with others, but fellow Veterans and active Service-members have a special place in our hearts. Having been homeless and married to another veteran and having hit hard times (sometimes still have difficulties) There are many veterans that can't even afford a cup of coffee let alone to join the organizations that are out there..

Response by PO3 Ronald Oswald made May 11 at 2015 6:19 PM

PO3 Ronald Oswald — Mon, 11 May 2015 18:19:59 -0400

I volunteer at the local VA 2 days per week

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 24 at 2015 2:00 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 24 May 2015 02:00:03 -0400

I'm a member of the various veterans associations: VFW, American Legion, DAV, and Fleet Reserve Association though I am unfortunately not active an any of them.

I do perform missions with the Patriot Guard Riders. Not all of the riders are veterans but the majority of them are and they're the ones I tend to associate with on missions.

I've been researching other veteran MC's and riding clubs but haven't found any that I feel are right for me. I've been trying to contact my local CVMA association as well.

I also work for a defense contractor. All of my fellow contractors are veterans and our customer is the Air National Guard.

Response by LTC Gavin Heater made May 24 at 2015 2:19 AM

LTC Gavin Heater — Sun, 24 May 2015 02:19:05 -0400

I volunteer with ESGR to help Veterans find work, help employers understand how to hire and manage service members and to train service members on their USERRA rights. I also volunteer with my State Defense Force to provide augmented services in times of crisis and emergency. Hard at work at both since becoming a Gray Area Retiree in 2013.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 24 at 2015 1:13 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 24 May 2015 13:13:20 -0400

When waiting for my meds at the VA, I often talk to older vets to see how they are doing. Nothing profound or monumental.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2015 1:37 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 May 2015 13:37:13 -0400

Most of my volunteer activity is Coast Guard Auxiliary, Naval Sea Cadet and Civil Air Patrol. I am also VP Army for Reserve Officers Assoc. Dept of the the Golden West. VP ROTC affairs for Willian Dean chapter AUSA. Also member American Legion. my passion is serving my country and serving youth and veterans.

Response by PO3 Michael Cardinale made Sep 29 at 2015 1:06 PM

PO3 Michael Cardinale — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 13:06:25 -0400

The American Legion has given me the opportunity to continue serve our Country. Getting involved and helping other Veterans allows me to give back to the community. We have social events where we get together for dinner and we also put together little outings that boosts morale.

Response by SSG Gene Carroll SR. made Nov 13 at 2015 2:20 PM

SSG Gene Carroll SR. — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 14:20:02 -0500

Yes, I'm with Pointman Intern Ministry that work to help all veterans with all sorts of problems. I'm proud to be apart of this group of men and their outpost and Home Front ministries . Check us out on the web. POINTMAN INTERN. MINISTRIES. Christian veterans helping veteran and their families of all wars.