I want to start a Veteran's Organization...

2014-01-01T07:16:35-05:00

Here is the catch, you MUST have received a discharge other than "Honorable" to receive benefits from the program. This would be a redemption program to get the unemployable Veteran who has lost benefits as the result of their discharge. It will help cover expenses for discharge appeals or recommend attorneys willing to do pro-bono work. It will help with education programs and finding employers for down and out vets that are having trouble transitioning.
This is a true no Soldier left behind program, where we go back and pick up the wounded in spirit and mind and do what our respective service or our government failed to do, take care of our own.

Response by SFC James Baber made Jan 1 at 2014 11:03 AM

2014-01-01T11:03:31-05:00

I think that would be an interesting venture, while I feel their are former SMs who were given a raw deal sometimes by being the fall guy for a picture bigger type thing, their are ones that also got over on receiving a OTH when they probably should have gone to prison or worse.

I think if there was a way to vet or determine who would be deserving of the assistance based on case circumstances it would be a beneficial organization for them, but the issue would most likely come up who is deserving and who is not as the politics of it would be a surmountable fight of why them and not me.

Would a Soldier who was caught up in a fraud, waste and abuse scandal for war time contracts be worthy of help while a person who was convicted of murder, but through a plea deal was reduced to E1, forfeited all pay and benefits and received an OTH was not, the can of worms is just waiting to be opened there.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 1 at 2014 11:08 AM

2014-01-01T11:08:05-05:00

This is interesting enough in itself, but my only concern here is where you would draw the line with 'Other Than Honorable' discharges and what led to those. Sometimes OTH discharges are effectively a legal agreement/plea by the service member after some egregious behavior that brings shame to the profession. I am not implying this is always the case (of course it's not) -- but I would want to know where your org would draw the line here if I was, for example, a possible donor to the org. Does that make sense?

Response by SSG William Patton made Jan 1 at 2014 6:15 PM

2014-01-01T18:15:21-05:00

Not wanting to be the one to rain on a parade or blow holes in ideas, but I have been involved with similar organizations and many have failed because the niche is so small and the reach of most organizations is limited in geographic scope. To have numbers significant to be worthwhile you would have to be a national organization and that means meeting requirements to start a non-profit organization in all states. Not an easy undertaking to say the least. There are programs in Goodwill, VOA, and grants through the VFW and American Legion that work with displaced veterans with less than honorable discharges. You might contact one of them and see what is needed to start up one on your own. I think what you want to do is admirable, but just not sure if the need is there to make it workable.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Jan 2 at 2014 5:52 PM

2014-01-02T17:52:28-05:00

Well I for one don't qualify for your program, I have an Honorable with an RE1 code.

But If I'm correct I think that the VA can apply for a waiver for those whom have been dishonorable discharge to an honorable one.

I don't know if this applies to every one but I'm certain this does happen I believe the difference is the RE code that changes in that honorable discharge when waivered it will not be RE1 but something lower.

Response by SSG Jim Handy made Jan 3 at 2014 9:35 AM

2014-01-03T09:35:47-05:00

I am researching the idea right now of opening a pro bono office to help Veterans with filing disability claims with the VA. If I run across some information while I'm doing this that I think may be helpful I will pass it along to you.