Transitioning to civilian life is figuring out who to TRUST, what factors do you use to consider someone TRUST worthy?

Doug Macdonald — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 11:55:01 -0500

America is experiencing a "Crisis In Trust". Just look at our current political cycle as 1 example. As a civilian veteran advocate, who seeks to understand to be understood, what do you look for in a civilian veteran advocate so you trust them?

Response by Doug Macdonald made Feb 27 at 2016 11:58 AM

Doug Macdonald — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 11:58:37 -0500

As a civilian who works daily in the veteran community, I am trying to further understand why the veteran community trusts my insights and information. The more I understand the more I can help.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2016 12:40 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 12:40:56 -0500

I trust someone until they give me reason not to. If I am talking face to face, I can usually tell if someone is trust worthy. My gut instinct is correct 99% of the time. I listen closely to what the person is saying and if it is correct, a level of trust is built. I will check out what the person is telling me to make sure it is correct. I had a friend who went to a so called "veteran benefit assistance company" for help with her father. He was a WWII era veteran that she was trying to get Veterans Aid and Assistance money. The guy wanted to tie up all of her father's money in an annuity except for 80 thousand dollars. Her father lived on 20 acres of land which was worth quite a bit. I researched the rules and made several calls. A house is exempt from the income limit, but the land can not exceed two acres. This guy had told my friend that the 20 acres were allowed and did not need to be listed. He was a crook, and I finally convinced my friend not to trust him.

I will listen to what a person says, and if it checks out as correct after I research it, a level of trust is built.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2016 5:42 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 17:42:47 -0500

Although trust is earned, you have to have faith that the people you meet are trustworthy. if you don't give them a chance, how will you ever trust them.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Feb 28 at 2016 9:45 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 09:45:04 -0500

Doug Macdonald I think it is a combination of all the above. Mostly if I had to bring one to the top it would be my experience. I've been burned several times throughout my careers and you learn from the ose lessons and move on. That's not to say it could happen again, but very unlikely as you get wiser in your years and you start to tally up those experiences (the good ones, the bad ones, and the plain ugly ones). I think you know what I mean. I thank that all of us have experienced somoene who lacked our trust, couldn't earn our trust, or who broke our trust throughout their lifetime. That word "Trust" is always coming to the forefront in everything we do! Very important in my eyes!