Posted on May 12, 2021
I was medically retired and I feel there's post service things I have forgotten to do. What is the recommended best course of action?
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I entered as Active Duty at 17 and I am now close to 21. I have no idea how to operate in the civilian world. My medical discharge didn't go as planned due to COVID procedures and was rushed out. Most of the information I was told I have forgotten, and I don't have veteran friends to ask. Besides going to the VA, what other things was I supposed to take care of before time runs out?
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
If I am not mistaken you should still have access to Soldier for Life. Is there something that you need assistance with? I know it may be challenging to get out of the Army. I got out my first time when I was 22. It took me a while to figure it out but after a few months I found myself. sometimes we aren't able to identify as a civilian. But you need to make that transition. It seems that you were forced quickly. But places like this can aid in pointing you in the right direction. I would also look at Vet organizations in your area.
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SPC Laysha Rueda
Due to COVID many procedures changed and I was talked to as if I knew what was happening. Even when I asked for clarification I was told someone in the civilian sector should be able to help me, but I didn't know who to reach out to.
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CPT (Join to see)
SPC Laysha Rueda I am familiar with the new process. It's not really desired. But luckily we are here to help.
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I don't have specific information that can help but you have taken a step by asking here for assistance. Hopefully, you will find the sources and information you need. Hope what ever the medical reason for your discharge was is under control. I pray that you have success in all things.
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SGT Charlie L. and Capt Gregory Prickett plus others have excellent advice about finding a Veterans Service Office to assist you with the VA, state, and local veterans organizations. Here's what I'd tell you if your were my Grandchild (I have grandchildren about your age).
-Get a job. It looks like you have a job with Amazon. I salute that. You could apply for civil service jobs (http://www.usajobs.gov). There are advantages in the civil service system for veterans and especially for disabled veterans. It may take a while to get into civil service, but it can be a lifetime of gainful employment and good retirement.
-Add to your training and education. The Army started you off with training in food service. Capitalize on this training if you generally liked food service. Use your VA benefits to add to your culinary skills and knowledge. Community Colleges often offer training in culinary arts for a reasonable price. Beyond that there's a four-year degree in hospitality management or hotel and restaurant management.
-Find a Church. Visit as many as you need to find a Church you're reasonably comfortable with. Join a small group in that church that seems to match your age group or interests. Volunteer. Use your skills and knowledge to work through the Church to help less fortunate people. BTW if you aren't Christian, then seek out a religious institution consistent with your religion (synagogue, temple, mosque). If you have no religious preference or experience, then try the Church first.
-Don't become your disability. I don't know if your medical retirement happened because of a debilitating injury. No matter. If you have a disability, take full advantage of all the programs the VA, state, and local offer. Don't be just the person with a brace, or artificial leg, or wheel chair. Continue to be you and bring the disability along as an afterthought. Do some web research and learn about "reasonable accommodation" and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
-Get a job. It looks like you have a job with Amazon. I salute that. You could apply for civil service jobs (http://www.usajobs.gov). There are advantages in the civil service system for veterans and especially for disabled veterans. It may take a while to get into civil service, but it can be a lifetime of gainful employment and good retirement.
-Add to your training and education. The Army started you off with training in food service. Capitalize on this training if you generally liked food service. Use your VA benefits to add to your culinary skills and knowledge. Community Colleges often offer training in culinary arts for a reasonable price. Beyond that there's a four-year degree in hospitality management or hotel and restaurant management.
-Find a Church. Visit as many as you need to find a Church you're reasonably comfortable with. Join a small group in that church that seems to match your age group or interests. Volunteer. Use your skills and knowledge to work through the Church to help less fortunate people. BTW if you aren't Christian, then seek out a religious institution consistent with your religion (synagogue, temple, mosque). If you have no religious preference or experience, then try the Church first.
-Don't become your disability. I don't know if your medical retirement happened because of a debilitating injury. No matter. If you have a disability, take full advantage of all the programs the VA, state, and local offer. Don't be just the person with a brace, or artificial leg, or wheel chair. Continue to be you and bring the disability along as an afterthought. Do some web research and learn about "reasonable accommodation" and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
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SPC Laysha Rueda
Lt Col Jim Coe Thank You very much for this valuable information, it is very much appreciated and most definitely useful.
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Do you actually have all of your authorized awards on your record? I've met more than a few Soldiers that don't when they got out. Are you fully out? Do you still have access to JAG? If so did you get a free will or power of attorney if needed? Once you're out it costs you money.
If you're having trouble adjusting consider looking into local veteran organizations.
If you're having trouble adjusting consider looking into local veteran organizations.
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SPC (Join to see)
SPC Laysha Rueda - How many years did you serve? Were you Active or part of the Reserve Component (National Guard or Reserves)? Did you deploy at all or were you stuck CONUS for your time in?
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SPC Laysha Rueda
SPC (Join to see) I did mention I was AD, but I was forced medical retired 4 months before my 3rd year. My unit dropped me from all my assigned deployments, so none in the books and Ive received my DD214 as honorably discharged.
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SPC (Join to see)
SPC Laysha Rueda - I see.
So an Army Service Ribbon (ASR) and a National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), I doubt you would have received a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOTSM) as you're newer and they stopped handing that out like candy around 2015 as I recall. Did you receive your Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM)?
Even though you were not in for a full three years, based on that information you are eligible per AR 600-8-22, Para 4-5(c) - For first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950, of less than 3 years but more than 1 year. Subsequent awards must be for a completion of 3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.
How you would go about having it added to your record now that you're out is a question for an S1 Soldier, maybe a DD-215?
So an Army Service Ribbon (ASR) and a National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), I doubt you would have received a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOTSM) as you're newer and they stopped handing that out like candy around 2015 as I recall. Did you receive your Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM)?
Even though you were not in for a full three years, based on that information you are eligible per AR 600-8-22, Para 4-5(c) - For first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950, of less than 3 years but more than 1 year. Subsequent awards must be for a completion of 3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.
How you would go about having it added to your record now that you're out is a question for an S1 Soldier, maybe a DD-215?
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The only thing you missed being rushed out is your TAP classes, which are all voluntary. You're authorized to go back to any of their workshops that you would like to use. You VA medical benefits were already submitted as part of your MEB. Now you just need to figure out what you want to do with your life.
I got out of the Army at 21. I didn't have any dependents so I traveled a bit doing seasonal work, snowboarding and working at a ski resort in the winter, working in Alaska in the summer. You have a little bit of permanent income, you don't have to rush to using your GI Bill yet if you don't know what you'd like to do. I was a cook when I separated the first time. The best part about being a cook is you can travel anywhere in the world and find a job immediately.
Don't worry about what you need to do to be a veteran, you'll meet more veterans in your travel, it's inevitable.
I got out of the Army at 21. I didn't have any dependents so I traveled a bit doing seasonal work, snowboarding and working at a ski resort in the winter, working in Alaska in the summer. You have a little bit of permanent income, you don't have to rush to using your GI Bill yet if you don't know what you'd like to do. I was a cook when I separated the first time. The best part about being a cook is you can travel anywhere in the world and find a job immediately.
Don't worry about what you need to do to be a veteran, you'll meet more veterans in your travel, it's inevitable.
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I recommend going to a local VFW or DAV and ask to talk to one of their Veteran Service Officers. They can definitely help you with any VA issues and probably answer many of your other questions. Best of luck!
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When you say there are things you have forgotten to do, do you mean specific tasks or more generally how to be/act like a "civilian" again?
Unrelated: You could be a poster child about why transition in the military is so difficult.
Unrelated: You could be a poster child about why transition in the military is so difficult.
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SSG Carlos Madden
First, you should go to the VA and get yourself registered in the VHA. It may not be the health care you end up with but if you don't have another option at the moment, at least you are medically covered for the time being. Second, think about going to school and using your GI bill. At the same time think about what kind of job or career you want to pursue (full time, part time, field, etc). If you're going the education route, do what you need to do to apply to schools and getting it paid for. Secure stable housing for yourself at your new HOR. You don't want to get honorably discharged and immediately be homeless. On a more personal note I'd highly suggest reaching out to any friends you have at your new HOR. You don't want to needlessly end up isolated at a time when you're taking your world and turning it around. Plus they're the best leads for new jobs. At the same time, start looking at local chapters of Team RWB or other VSO's. Not only is it also another good networking tool, it may help some of the inevitable "this sucks I miss the Army" feeling.
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SPC Laysha Rueda
Well overall I feel like I don't fit in with people my age after doing around 3 years in the service and still feel slightly out of place. I am not exactly clear on what you mean by poster child. My main concerns are regarding like the GI Bill, school, and other services that I am supposed to sign up for or that sort.
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SSG Carlos Madden
SPC Laysha Rueda - I meant that the DoD could use your situation as a case study on why transitioning in the military is difficult.
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Make sure you are signed up with the VHA medical center closest to you. Literally just walk in with your 214 and ask how to get an appointment. Get assigned a primary care doctor. Get on the Internet and get signed up for a username and password for the VA as that is where a lot of your information will be located. You are entitled to a VA home loan and you ca get your certificate of eligibility from there.
If you have questions about your GI bill you can call most colleges and universities and they will have a veteran resource officer or employee that handles that paperwork for you.
As others have said get with your local “vet center” this is a state agency not the federal agency. Each state has a list of additional benefits for veterans. Google what benefits am I entitled to as a veteran in _______ state. VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, and all the other veteran resource organizations have tons of information and also are a great way to network with like minded people.
You will have veteran’s preference on federal jobs, state and local government jobs in most instances. There are tons of reasons to be proud of your service and a lot of good people are there waiting to help you.
If you have questions about your GI bill you can call most colleges and universities and they will have a veteran resource officer or employee that handles that paperwork for you.
As others have said get with your local “vet center” this is a state agency not the federal agency. Each state has a list of additional benefits for veterans. Google what benefits am I entitled to as a veteran in _______ state. VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, and all the other veteran resource organizations have tons of information and also are a great way to network with like minded people.
You will have veteran’s preference on federal jobs, state and local government jobs in most instances. There are tons of reasons to be proud of your service and a lot of good people are there waiting to help you.
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outprocessing is just a series of briefs mainly on two things. Getting an education or getting a job. The Marine Corps also had an emphasis on starting your own business but the focus was either work or school. Med Board briefs focus on getting you the tools you need to better navigate dealing with the VA. If you are medically retired then you should have a blue retiree card and also be signed up for tricare medical care. If you are not there then that would be a start. If you didn't drop off your medboard findings to the VA to get your disability payments started then do that. If you have injuries not covered in your disability claim work with a veteran advocate to submit a claim. Check your State and see what is provided to veterans with your disability percentage. Look up local veteran non profits and get involved if that sounds like something you would like.
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That is what the Veterans Administration in for. Contact them and get a rating. They may pay you more.
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