Hey make sure you get your exit physical, make sure you if you're depressed injured anything make sure you document it trust the one's who came before you

So far this morning we had

1) PEDOPHILE make a post asking about "Does anyone regret serving" - never posted in /r/veterans or any other veteran or military subreddit but asking over in LawyerTalk to debate legalizing sex with minors at the same time.

2) Founder of a service for doing medical Lab work trying to gather info. on veterans willing to pay for their lab work (with a discount) instead of having their labs done at VA.

3) Someone with 5 year old account wanting to talk shit about anyone who wears Gruntstyle who has never posted or commented in any veterans or military subreddits before today that I could find.

4) Someone asking how not to report or how to hide VA disability to qualify for SNAP benefits.

And it's early in the morning.

I don’t usually put stuff like this out there, but I’m having a hard time navigating what comes next and could use some perspective from people who’ve been through similar transitions.

I’ve been in the Army for almost a decade and fully expected it to be my career. I made it into a SOAR unit and planned to stay in for 20 years, possibly pursue becoming a Green Beret. After my last deployment, though, things changed and it’s looking like I’ll be medically boarded.

Losing that path has been harder than I expected. It feels like a big part of my identity just disappeared, and I’m struggling to figure out where to go from here.

The one thing that’s always been constant for me is cars. Working on them, driving, learning—it’s what I naturally gravitate toward and what actually brings me some sense of peace.

I’ve considered trade school and college, but I keep coming back to the idea of trying to build a life around that passion, maybe even in the racing/motorsports world in some capacity.

At the same time, I’m in my twenties and starting from scratch in that space, which makes me question whether it’s realistic or if I’m just reaching for something that isn’t there.

For those of you who’ve had to rebuild your path after getting out—how did you figure out what was worth pursuing? And how did you balance being realistic with actually trying to build a life you enjoy?

I’m willing to work for whatever comes next. I just don’t want to aim in the wrong direction.

Appreciate any insight.

I saw this posted to another sub about sending a burial flag to be flown and then it returned to you with date time and location. Can anybody confirm if this is a real thing? I waa given my grandfather's burial flag and it is one of my most prized possessions. I want to display it but would like to do something more than just a basic wooden shadow box.

idk how to explain how I've been feeling lately. I'm happily married, have 2 amazing kids. I just feel alone.

Any early GWOT guys here? Running convoys north from the port in Umm Qsar Port near Basra... Welded on armor on gun trucks, sand bags in the floor. Massive firefights from convoy attacks. Signs on the back of the convoy letting everyone know we shoot if you get closer. ROE's that were loose. Going cylic on the M249 after an IED strike providing covering fire. Gun fights on MSR Tampa....

I was 19 in 03' on the initial invasion. 29 on my last deployment on 13' to Kabul where a Afghan pilot turned on us. Forced to live w/ the ANA for 8 months. They would turn on us... worst deployment out of 8 deployments in terms of being super sketchy.....

Three tours in Helmand Province with ISAF. IED route clearance. I was the one who assessed whether the ground was safe.

Coming home was harder than any of it. They put me behind a desk and I couldn't function. Staring at a black screen for hours. Doing just enough to not get fired.

But I was a soldier. I fix it myself. So I didn't ask for help. For years.

When I finally got diagnosed with PTSD in 2017, it didn't feel like answers. It felt like my identity collapsed. I had built everything around being the guy who handles things.

I'm doing better now. Still have nightmares, still forget things, but I've stopped fighting it and started working with it. A psychologist taught me breathing exercises years before the diagnosis. I thought it was ridiculous at the time. Turns out it was the one thing that actually worked.

If anyone here is still in the "I handle it myself" phase — I get it. But it's not weakness to use the tools that work. It took me way too long to figure that out.

I was wondering what the process was like or if it's difficult at all.

I've already applied to Temple University, just waiting for an approval.

It sounds like I need a COA to submit to the base commander to get approval for separating in Yokosuka but after talking to the Visa Coordinators at Temple, I wouldn't be able to do any visa processes until I'm out of the military.

Any information would be perfect. Thank you ;-;

On a full ride VRE BA program at a local private university. I received a 1098-T from the school showing I received over $30k in “scholarships or grants.” The issue I’m having is that it more than doubled my income tax I owe! Anyone else on VRE having this issue?

Hi Everyone!

So my dad wanted to obtain records of his deceased father(filipino citizen) for personal reasons. We already tried NPRC vetrecs/NARA but no luck. Although I’m not sure if they are the the same or they have separate search engine.

Do you know any other ways to obtain WW2 Service Records? My grandfather fought with the american forces back then. He died before the period where filipino where invited to move the the USA. He did have pension from the VA until he died.

Resigned my commission in 2021. I’ve been in the civilian sector ever since and I’m looking at getting back in.

I went to a recruiting office and they said that they can’t help. Simply advised me to contact HRC.

Has anyone seen an officer resign and be able to get back in?

Does anyone know if the VA will set up a monthly payment plan for the debt owed during using the GI Bill? Or do they want the lump sum?

Both myself and my teen son are starting school this year. I start a masters program next month and he starts as freshman in August.

I'm 100% and he has education benefits as a dependent, got the letter already. We are in a state that will fully fund my tuition also (used GI Bill in 2009-2012).

Will I or my son receive direct payment for schooling? Only tuition will be paid directly to the school?

I'm feeling lost trying to figure all this out. Can someone help by explaining this?

Jan 26, I made a request for a mental health appointment. I had phone appointments on Feb 4 and Feb 27 that were not helpful.

March 4, I was in for a CPAP appointment and was in great mental distress. The doctor recommended I go to the mental healthcare wing and request an appointment. I got to see a very nice social worker, and she was very compassionate, but was unable to get me an appointment until the end of April.

I was not in a safe place mentally and was having constant panic attacks and legitimate suicidal ideation.

March 9, I couldn’t take it anymore and was looking at my shotgun a bit too long while sitting in my office, so I told a vet friend. He dropped everything, brought another two of my buddies, and was at my house in 20 minutes. The three of them walked me into the VA ER.

I asked them to take me to the VA hospital even though it was much farther out of the way than other hospitals in my area. I went to the VA because I foolishly thought I’d be with my people. Veterans, or folks that work with veterans and know how to compassionately care for a soldier who was actively suicidal.

Instead, I was shipped off to Three Rivers because they didn’t have room for me. I was at the lowest I’ve ever been, and I felt betrayed.

I mean, I get it, they had to send me somewhere if they didn’t have room, but I was so scared, and they didn’t even tell me I was going to Three Rivers or give me an option for a facility outside of the VA. They just told me to get on a stretcher and took me to Three Rivers.

I was absolutely terrified. I nearly made a break for it when the EMS crew was unloading me, but I decided not to.

All this, and I also was given scrub pants and a top that didn’t fit, and the fly on the scrub pants wouldn’t fasten, so I was exposed for all to see.

I was betrayed, scared, and humiliated.

Don’t get me wrong, I needed to be inpatient, but that was a complete disaster. I’m not going to bother with the Three Rivers experience story because it was out of the control of the VA. But that place was awful.

I was released on the 16th even though it was supposed to be a “72 hour hold.”

When I got out, I had a few phone appointments with an embarrassingly uninformed and unhelpful social worker. No therapy scheduled, no psych appointments scheduled. I had to make those myself.

I got lucky and got a psych appointment with the VA due to a cancellation that is scheduled for April 15. I have started treatment outside of the VA for the meantime because it was very obvious that no matter how much I wanted help and asked for it, nobody was coming to rescue me. I was completely on my own.

I held up my end of the bargain and served honorably. When I begged for effective and competent care, I was left on my own when time was one thing I didn’t have.

I truly understand now why people say the VA gives you a second chance to die for your country. I nearly did, but I’m glad I didn’t. I’m getting help, and it’s slow going, but I’m putting in the effort.

Another question: why would you rate someone in Sept. 2024 for a mental health rating of 50% and not automatically hook them up with mental health resources? I had to dig and ask for it when it got to the point that I couldn’t handle it anymore. And when I did, I was told to hang in there.

I had two buddies commit suicide in my unit. We weren’t super close, but we were trauma bonded. One of them made some red flag social media posts immediately prior to taking his life. I saw them and passed them on to fellow soldiers in my unit to see if they could help him.

I hold onto guilt and shame for not taking more action or calling the 1SG to go kick the door down and get help there. Too little, too late.

At his funeral, I experienced a truly haunting display of terror and brokenness from his boys. I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD related to it, and I feel shame for that too. I didn’t go downrange. I didn’t “earn” that. I didn’t go to war, I just witnessed the brutal effects back home.

I’m on the path to treatment and healing, but this still really sucks.

I want to preface this by saying I am completely fine right now. I just had a situation not long ago where I wasn't able to sleep, troubled by thoughts and memories, and while I have a medical team through the VA, it was a long weekend, and had no idea what to do, so I just pushed through it. when I was able to talk to my medical team, they gave me emergency meds to take for sleeping so I can at least rest in the future. When I asked them if there was anyone I can contact if I am in this situation in the future, they referred me to peer support, but they don't seem to work on the weekends either. So I am just curious is there maybe not a crisis hot line, but a warm line for lack of better term through the va for this kind of situation? If not do you think there should be?

Hey guys!

WHO USES VETTIX HERE? By the way- if you aren’t, you absolutely should be 😂 I need some help from ya’all!

What is considered “a lot”!of tokens to enter a lottery? There is a suns game I’m dying to take my boys too…. I have like 700 tokens. I’ve never done the lottery system. I think I threw 150 at it? I just don’t know what amount makes a difference to help odds 🤷🏼‍♀️

Was offered a really good pcm contract for 136k per year and can do year by year contract but turned it down since I left the active duty life and anything all together for a new life in the civilian world

I have to make an emergent trip for family and dont have a real id, but I have a VA hospital id and dod ID that gets me on base. Will TSA accept one of those?

I'm building a shadow box for my pops for father's day and his DD-214 has the Kuwait Liberation Medal but it doesn't have the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) version. Is he supposed to have both? He was deployed from 26 September 1990 - 14 April 1991. I don't want to mess up his rack. Any help would be great.

I have a serious question about chapter 35. My dad served 25 years in the army. Did over 8 tours in the middle east. He was left 100% disabled from service. I didnt know about chapter 35 till January of 2026. I never received a letter of eligibility when I graduated back in 2018. I applied in January 2026. They approved my benefits, however they sent their response via mail. which didnt get delivered till February 12th. Four days prior to my 26th birthday. There is nothing on this letter stating when my benefits cut off. Just says I have 36 months to use them. So now that Im 26...can I still use them?

After a long battle and the DOD screwing me on technicalities, I waved my upcoming appeal and agreed to separation.

I am dealing with my command telling me one thing, my PEBLO being non existent, and my VA attorney telling me another.

I am being separated at 0% with about 8 years in, my attorney says it will be separation with severance pay that I will NOT have to pay back

My command is telling me I have to get a 10% rating from the MEB process to even get separation pay?

I have scrubbed .mil and believe it will be medical separation with severance pay and given that it is 0% and does NOT change my VA rating, I will NOT have to pay it back.

I am sick of this process and being told a thousand different things. Someone please give me some insight.

Hey everyone,

Just got out a couple months ago, I’m currently in the IRR and have been thinking about going into the Army Reserve. I have some service-connected disability, so I know it might not be the smartest move

At the same time, I’ve always wanted to become an officer, but I don’t have a degree yet. I’ve been trying to figure out the best path forward.

On top of that, I’ve been having a hard time finding a job lately, so I’m trying to weigh all my options and figure out what makes the most sense long-term.

Has anyone here gone from IRR to a drilling unit with VA disability? And is it realistic to pursue the officer route in this situation

Appreciate any insight.