What are the top pieces of advice you would share with a veteran getting ready to separate or retire?

2014-12-02T13:40:42-05:00

This is a great site for networking and sharing opinions, so here's one that could be useful.
There are things that TAPS just doesn't prepare you for, What are they? What would you share with someone preparing to separate from active duty? What would you tell a career military member preparing for retirement? Would it be about filing for VA disability? Information on how to find a job? Educational opportunities?
What do you wish you knew before your last day on active duty?

Response by Maj Stephen Parsons, PhD made Dec 2 at 2014 1:43 PM

2014-12-02T13:43:26-05:00

To get things started the one thing I would recommend is registering/singing up for as many organizations/web sites that help vets search for jobs as you can. Examples Cleared Jobs, Hired 2 Heroes, Vet Jobs Bank, to name a few. What are some other sites that can help vets find work?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 1:44 PM

2014-12-02T13:44:15-05:00

There are many, Maj Stephen Parsons, PhD. Two items that I kind of missed were these:

1) START EARLY!

2) If you're taking a government job, go for the max life insurance. It's dirt cheap and you only get one chance to make the decision. I chose wrong (the lowest amount). How I wish I had chosen the max (because I lost a daughter after retirement, and her death would have been covered if I had chosen correctly).

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 1:49 PM

2014-12-02T13:49:44-05:00

I'm glad that you asked this question Sir. I have four of my Airmen that are about to retire and unfortunately TAPS class has not seemed to be a very good tool for them. Sure they discuss how important it is to work on your resume and to sell yourself to a potential employer, but that's all common sense. I would explain that when filling out VA claims, take it to the local VFW and have them send it up for you. Because they have representatives that lobby for vererans, it seems to be about a 4-5 month process on the return vs. the year to year and a half process. Also, what forms need to be filled out to order copies of their medical records and where to find the form. SF 180 http://www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf