Posted on Jan 29, 2014
SGT Timothy Sowers
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Now we all know that the military in general looses records and paperwork every day. This is why they tell you from the get go to MAKE COPIES of every piece of paperwork that you get, sign or even read. In my case it started right off the bat. When I got to basic training at Ft. Knox Ky. they did their "scare tactics" when we got off of the bus. Then they took us to the intake unit. I guess we were supposed to be there for a couple of days. after two weeks we asked why we were still there. No one would tell us anything. With no answers for a couple of more days, people started to get out of hand. Finally they had a formation to tell us what was going on. Some how between MEPS and KY. all of our records had been "misplaced" and they were still trying to locate them. It put some at ease. By the time we got to our unit we only had 2 platoons out of four. So we had some extra Drill Seargents. By the time graduation day hit, 2 Drill Seargents had been demoted one had been moved and two soldiers could no longer continue to train. For some reason after graduation day a lot of us were sent home and not to AIT. I was then told to just report to the unit that i was assigned to untill further notice. So I did as i was told. I went to my Reserve unit on drill weekend. They had no record of me. I gave them all of the paperwork I had. They let me stay for the weekend drill. The next drill they still had no record of me. This went on for months. Finally they told me to quit going to drill and if I tried to come back in they would have me arrested. So I made calls for days. No one could find any records on me besides the ones that I had. Finally my reserve unit moved to Seymour Indiana. Then I got a call from The unit in Seymour sying that if I did not show up within 2 days they would put a warran out for my arrest. I went the next day. I went to the next drill and got kicked off post. They said that they had no record of me even being in the army. THE NEXT DRILL! I was about to give up. After 2 years of this I get a call telling me that I needed to report to MEPS to leave for AIT. So I did. made it to Ft. Jackson Sc. and had no issues while there. The rest of my time untill my ETS only a few minor records were lost. Then I did the paperwork to extend my time by another 6 years. 6 months after my ETS date while I was waiting for my orders, I asked about it. They then threw a fit that I was still there. They then made me go throug demobilization. Two weeks after I finished going through that they called again and said hey we found that paperwork. I said too bad I am out now. But then I called back and said okay, lets do this. They came out and I filled out the paperwork. I went to two drills as a reserve soldier again. I called one day because I was not gettin any of the news letters telling about when and where drills were etc. I was then told that they had not recieved any orders for me. The civilian lady told me to give her about a week and she would try to find out what was going on. a month later I called her and she had no idea who I was. Now after 9 1/2 years of being in and going through this i had had about enough. I asked her what to do. The only answer she gave was, find yourself a job and enjoy life. REALLY! Then I got a call about a year ago asking me if I wanted to reenlist. I said YES! No word after that. I was out in around the middle of 2008. I know this is long. but thanks for sticking with it. Not too long ago I call the Sfc. that called me. He then told me, oh sorry, we have no openings for your mos or rank, thanks for calling though. WTH!!! So I just quit trying. And on top of all of that, from letting them use MY records I now have no copies because they were supposed to make copies and give them back. They never gave them back. And now I cant find any anywhere. So what are your stories. Thanks for reading.
Posted in these groups: Paperwork logo PaperworkRecords logo Records
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Responses: 5
MAJ Jonathan Balmer
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Yes. Big mess. the VA is to big and full of red tape. Nobody knows status of my claim. I have working on this since last March.
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SGT Timothy Sowers
SGT Timothy Sowers
10 y

a friend of mine has been dealing with them for over a year.

 

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MSG Donald Patrick
MSG Donald Patrick
4 y
VA uses an antiquated computer system called MUMPS. Should have been replaced 30 years ago. Very easy for them to lose data. ...but they'll never admit it. I've only had problems with them any time I've dealt with them.
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SGT Thomas Sullivan
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My story is not as bad as that above, but I can say that the Department of Veteran's affairs is horrendous at keeping/finding paperwork and at communicating between different branches within its own organization.

I cant tell you how many times I have had to resubmit leave paperwork because it was lost by company admins.
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SGT Rick Ash
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I have had 2 compensation claims, 1 appeal rejected and rejected for VA Healthcare as the VA cannot find me in OMPF or DEERS. My Service Officer in Louisville, KY is totally useless, has even yelled at me on the phone and told me my last email was irrelevant!?

Any advice? I know from reading in Rally Point it's not just me! Working claim since December 2012.
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SGT Timothy Sowers
SGT Timothy Sowers
6 y
I had to go to the VA and tell them I wasn't leaving till we figured it out... after about 2 hours we gave up... 3 days later I get a call from the NEW person in charge of new patients (can not remember position name).. told her the story... she looked it up AND FOUND ALL OF MY INFO... had my packet in about 3 weeks.
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MSG Donald Patrick
MSG Donald Patrick
4 y
VA uses a stove pipe data collection computer system. It is unable to talk to other military computer systems. They only have what you've provided and can easily lose that. I wish you luck.
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