Posted on May 31, 2016
Is it appropriate for a non-combat veteran to use the Vet Center and/or VA?
64.6K
1.15K
445
42
42
0
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Disabled Veterans
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Disabled Veterans
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 226
162
162
0
It's not named the Combat Veterans Administration, it's called the Veteran's Administration because it exists to support all veterans. I am one of the few who served over 28 years, beginning just as the Vietnam Conflict was ending in 1975 and retired two years into the Global War on Terror in 2003, who never served in a declared combat zone. However, I underwent the rigors of basic training, infantry AIT, PLDC, OCS, Infantry basic course, Infantry advanced course, airborne school, ranger school, Special Forces Qualification Course, Air Assault school, participated in nearly 100 static line jumps, deployments throughout the Pacific, Central America, Europe, CONUS, and while never in a declared combat zone, spent time in areas infested by terrorists and hardened criminals. As a result of those 28 years of experiences, the VA declared me 90% disabled, but I was never in a declared combat zone. Would it be fair to exclude me from Veteran's benefits and use of the Veteran's hospital? I say NO. If I felt otherwise I would be embarrassed to walk into the VA hospital. While anyone is free to express themselves as they want on RP, to include asking this question, I am disappointed that the thought of excluding some Veterans was considered.
(162)
(0)
SGT Anna Kleinschmidt
SGT Tim Soyars - we are past the transplant. That was 11 years ago. She has repeated infections. She becomes septic at the drop of the hat. She has been in the ICU 4 times now since thanksgiving and once on lifesupport thanks to my father who is now suffering from dementia and waited 3 hours to call me after she told him to call me. His 8 heart attacks have also racked up a pretty penny. I am going to try the means test on them again. Last time he tried he was in priority group 7 but that was several years ago. I tried to get him to sign up before they cut him off but he was too stubborn. Now he can't get in. I am pretty sure adjusted income after deductions he will meet the means test.
(0)
(0)
SGT Tim Soyars
SGT Anna Kleinschmidt - if you are referring to the VA system admission mark, that should not be a problem. I get into the system prior to my diagnosis and I am a RN. With my salary, I was able to get in the system.
(1)
(0)
SGT Anna Kleinschmidt
SGT Tim Soyars - I don't think it will be a problem either. When he applied before I didn't do it and I think they still had money. They were pretty well off a few years back. Now they are living month to month.
(0)
(0)
91
91
0
On first impulse, I found this question to be highly insulting. Having dug into the back-and-forth that followed (more forth than back; i.e., most everyone supports vets benefits for all military veterans) I think it was worth considering and worth validating. I had the pleasure of MC-ing a tribute dinner and dance for WW II veterans in South-side/rural Virginia; this on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of VE Day. Of the 30-some veterans being honored, there were more than a few that denigrated their part of the War effort saying, "I was just...(a cook in the Canal Zone or flight instructor state-side" as though their contribution did not measure up. No one else (none) in that room of 200-plus felt that way. Everyone had (has) a job to do for our military to be successful. We do not discriminate based on race, creed, country of origin, religion, etc. We certainly do not need to be discriminating based on job title or duty assignment.
(91)
(0)
PO1 Cliff Heath
SSgt Jim KirkpatrickWell said SSgt. For those of us who never went into combat but were serving during the Cold War, the Iranian Hostages, the Beirut Barracks bombing, Libya Bombing being surrounded by USSR's Navy and Air Force. I were lucky, all weren't. But we trained for War as hard as any body, because we knew that at any minute we might have to go to General Quarters for real. Having the honor of serving under PRESIDENT REAGAN, we have sailed through the Gates of Hell for him. US NAVY 9 1/2 YRS.1978-1982/1984-1989. USS ENTERPRISE CVN-65, USS VINCENNES CG-49 and USS ELLIOT DD-967. It was my honor to serve on all 3.
(7)
(0)
MAJ Doug Mattox
I have heard things like this before. Men who served in during the Vietnam era but served in Germany not Vietnam. "I did not do anything, I was in Germany." I do not care if you were a latrine cleaner in Alaska. You served your country and that is certainly more service than these politicians do and get rewarded for.
(6)
(0)
SGT George Smith
Bottom line. When we all joined it was to follow orders. We all were committed to where we were sent and what our job was. Combat or non combat we were all paid the same for out rank, PFC or General. We all received the same medical treatment. We were all on call to go anywhere we were needed. WE are all VETERANS!
(1)
(0)
77
77
0
It's the VETERANS administration, not the COMBAT VETERANS. I am curious about why you are asking this?
(77)
(0)
(2)
(0)
PO3 Michael Huyck
SGT (Join to see) - i worked on M88's, M578's M113's M35's M151a2's M577's M2a1, M3a1, M978's but badically Bradley and M88 TRTC
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google