How could someone make a 8 yr reserve obligation enlistment that does not qualify as a veteran for veteran purposes?

PO3 Aaron Hassay — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 01:06:04 -0500

I ask that question in lieu of the Constitution Preamble which we all swore an Oath to Defend
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

I ask this question because after 5 years assigned to 2 different Navy Active Duty Guided Missile Frigates and the injuries and illness associated with a job like a BM, and my medically failed Navy Army Transfer off the same ships half way through my enlistment, and my honorable discharge after those 8 years I was not instantly awarded a homeless housing voucher at the VA. Instead I had to wait nearly 4 years for the local VA Oakland regional center Denials stating I did not have enough active duty time in continuation 2 years minimum to qualify. I was literally homeless and without income and in a older guys house who kept me off the street if only he could like get in my pants because I was to scared to defend or be homeless again living in my car,(that got impounded). I was telling the va that these were my living conditions, and there was a police report eventually. But still they denied me even a homeless housing voucher, No waiver. The BVA by a stroke of luck granted me support. But that is after a 8 year enlistment. and nearly decade battle with chronic homelessness. Now I am in a VA apartment alone wondering what happened.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jan 20 at 2021 1:19 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 01:19:09 -0500

That's a good question but I don't know if anyone here can accurately provide an answer. We lack the information, perspective and context that happened over those 4 years to provide the answer you need/want. If you have documented proof of 5 years on an AD Frigate I don't know how you would fail to have the minimum 2 years. My only thoughts to that is possibly it needed to be consecutive and not cumulative but I don't know what all the eligibility criteria is and what documentation is on hand. That could possibly answer the question but again I don't know. I would recommend going to patient advocacy at your VA and get all the cards on the table to figure out where things were snagged in the process.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jan 20 at 2021 10:25 AM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 10:25:51 -0500

A lot of soldiers in the guard feel that it's wrong the VA doesn't recognize them as veterans until the retire from the guard if they don't have federal active duty time. I think there is the legal distinction and then there's the working definition of what a veteran is. Personally, I think that guard members should be recognized legally as veterans. Yes, we serve part time, but we receive part time benefits. However, in addition to the two days of training each month and two weeks in the summer, we still have to keep up on our SSD, going to NCOES, additional training from time to time, and physical fitness. One thing reservists have to do that active duty doesn't is juggle employment and military service, and we often have a difficult time with employment issues. I know there are laws on the books, but proving a law was broken is another matter. I just think if a soldier honorably serves, in whatever capacity, they are a veteran and that should be recognized.

Response by PO3 Aaron Hassay made Jan 20 at 2021 4:51 PM

PO3 Aaron Hassay — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 16:51:02 -0500

My battle to get a VA Homeless Housing Voucher is done and complete. I share information just so possibly others might not have to go through this again.

I am not sure who to share this following excerpts with at the va but if you want to give me suggestions let me know.

Peace

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3. To increase integration of Reserve Forces in active forces missions
B. Test manning active Navy Destroyers with a mix of 80 percent active personnel and 20 percent reservists in comparison with 100% active manned ships.”

Another more important initiative is our plan to man some of our active surface combatants at 80% of active manning, relying on selected reserve personnel to fill the remaining billets upon mobilization.”

Admittingly, there are some potential problems involved in the 80/20 concept, most of which center around the interrelated factors of maintenance and operational tempo. The concept is predicated on the assumption that the understrength active crew, augmented by reserves during drill periods, would be able to maintain their ship in adequate material condition and conduct the required training for basic combat missions.”

“interrelated factors of maintenance” Who ever created this “test” to give a young non prior service reserve enlisted to fill an active dut billet on a ship, gave no consideration to the “interrelated factors of maintenance” of his, my life from 18-23 years of age assigned to these ships. Factors such as thousands of hour stressing over manuals at home alone about a ship and duty to your own country with poverty compensation, no health care insurance, no leadership checking in and monitoring you, no health care professionals monitoring you, never be considered a veteran for veteran purposes even with an honorable discharge, right in the middle of America. You had those factors whie you basically were given the task to be an active duty sailor in qualification and ability and readiness and exposure to the same elements monthly. It gets to the point that no one I think ever considered this and no on on the ship monitored it my development. The young guys in the reserves and national guard should be monitored for these “interrelated factors”.

There were times in the ship yard, based on orders, where I would be doing life altering things very stressful on the body and mind with no health insurance to check in after duty sent home, right next to as DOD civilian and active duty sailor who both had full time health insurance. I mean it was a one way ticket to the streets and homelessness, that did happen.