Retirees and Veterans, after you seperated, did you stay involved in military circles or causes? How and what?

SSG Paul Jordan — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 10:00:43 -0500

I have been retired for 4 years and still stay in contact with many I served with. I also help and spread the word about military causes/ charities as often as I can. When I am in a better position to do so, I hope to become more involved in helping directly. As a former NCO, I still feel that obligation to take care of soldiers and I don't think that will ever go away. Does anyone else feel this way? Discuss.

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jan 7 at 2015 11:25 AM

SSG Izzy Abbass — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 11:25:03 -0500

It took me some time to get involved in Veteran circles - about 8 years. Since then I've gotten very involved with some great organizations including - VFW Post 1 which is breaking the mold of traditional VSOs, the Fisher House, Project Sanctuary, Veterans in Higher Ed and now with Hangar 30 which does a lot for different DoD agencies.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 12:00 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 00:00:27 -0500

Well we're all here on RP aren't we? Not exactly what I think you were getting at, but I do consider this site a military circle so to say. For the guys I actually served with I've kept in touch with some, but not most. Mostly on facebook and online when I play xbox as no one else I knew lives in the same town as me. I'm also active in my local VFW.

Response by SPC Leisel Luman made Jan 9 at 2015 10:44 AM

SPC Leisel Luman — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 10:44:38 -0500

Every chance I got while working with homebound or Hospice patients that were veterans. After calling time of death the first call was to the medical examiners office for report. I wanted it make sure the cause of death was noted and clearly linked to SC Condition if that was the case. The second call was to the listed person to contact if they were not present at the time. They did not die alone on my shift.

Response by SrA Jay Strauser made Jan 9 at 2015 12:07 PM

SrA Jay Strauser — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 12:07:16 -0500

I did not for years. I have recently started working for a local non-profit who has a veterans program. FolkTime.org. They asked me to come on board in Oct and I love it. Since then I have rejoined the VFW and I am becoming friends with the local DAV post commander.

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Jan 9 at 2015 6:16 PM

SGT Frank Leonardo — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 18:16:05 -0500

I have been out for almost 9 years I keep in contact with others that I served with and I am a alumni of WWP member of the VFW and on here so I can communicate with others

Response by PO1 Herby Hancock made Apr 2 at 2016 7:04 AM

PO1 Herby Hancock — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 07:04:50 -0400

Hopefully you will be in that better position soon SSG Jordan! It brings great satisfaction knowing you are helping not just the veteran community, but your community as a whole. Since my 2nd semester at a local Community College (now half way through my MBA) I have been directly involved with and support the different Student Veteran groups in my area. I also volunteer with/for different veteran's causes like Team RWB, PVA, and am the Treasurer for 501(c)3 Operation Home Shores, Inc. If my plate wasn't already full enough, I am also preparing my own non-profit to benefit veterans and other low-income families with financial planning and management. We served our country at sea, in the air, and on the battlefield; now is the time for service at home.

Response by PO1 Mark DeGraw made Jan 1 at 2019 10:33 PM

PO1 Mark DeGraw — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 22:33:58 -0500

I've been out since 90 and yet have attended one of our reunion. Mostly because of work and now distance and money. My ability to stay in touch is the AmLegion. I don't mean to be a poster child unless we get more young people in the American legion return your flute for the rights and benefits. The nation may lose the leading Voice in veterans benefits. to me it may not be talking to the guys in your unit but it's still being in contact with those who served which is still important so if you guys need some place to go try your local region DAV or VFW

Response by PO1 David Newman made Jan 2 at 2019 1:55 PM

PO1 David Newman — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 13:55:28 -0500

I am on several sites related to my service and friends with many I served with. Also REBOOTalliance.com. A PTS recovery group.

Response by SSgt Robert Bell made May 1 at 2019 4:27 PM

SSgt Robert Bell — Wed, 01 May 2019 16:27:38 -0400

Unlike other branches of the military, the Air Force didn’t send everyone as a Company or Squad. Going to Nam was a learn as you go experience, since everything that taught you back at Conus didn’t apply! I was in Danang and was apparently a bit Shell Shocked after my first rocket attacks, that I didn’t realize some of the airmen I was with were wounded or killed... I told myself they just rotated back home! I found out many years later that I survived over 155 of those attacks. You just block it out!

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 11 at 2019 8:18 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Sun, 11 Aug 2019 20:18:36 -0400

Every chance I got!

Response by SSgt Daniel Batista made Mar 23 at 2020 2:06 PM

SSgt Daniel Batista — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 14:06:05 -0400

Yes after my separation late October of 1991 from the Air Force Stratigic Air Command, i stayed connected with the aviation industry .I first worked as an Avionics Technician for several manufacturing companies in Wichita, Kansas and the midwest. I then became an Applications Engineer /Project Integrator for FLIR Systems in their Surveillance group. I have done a lot of work integrating surveillance equiptments on military and law enforcement units for both domestic and foreign governments.

Response by CPO John Moran made May 2 at 2021 8:41 PM

CPO John Moran — Sun, 02 May 2021 20:41:32 -0400

The only vets I come in contact with are at the VA hospital. Of course, I do not live in a military town. I have been retired from the Navy for 28 years.

Response by CW4 Abdulaziz Bulling made Jul 4 at 2021 8:55 AM

CW4 Abdulaziz Bulling — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 08:55:04 -0400

The fact that I periodically respond to posts on this site demonstrates that I try to stay involved. I retired 22 years ago and actively seek out veterans from new hires where I work. I defiantly support veterans preference in hiring. I am a bit dismayed by the number of ill thought out questions that appear on this site; ones that could have been clearly answered by looking to the regulations.

Response by SFC Juan Santiago made Aug 2 at 2021 10:10 AM

SFC Juan Santiago — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 10:10:37 -0400

I retired in 1981, in 2004 I called by my hometown recruiting office to help them with a Veterans Day at a HS, after that day, I became a (COI/VIP ) Center of Influence for the Us Army Recruiting Command.