The Official Military Thread. Vol 1

[jape]

I was serving when Obama became president. The silence the morning after was deafening . The hatred in the air was tangible. I can only imagine how insufferable it is now. Yall be safe.

 

[atlsfinest]

Totally missed Veteran's Day! This is me back when I was a young JO. Been out the game for a long time now. Now I'm bald and bearded lol. Y'all stay safe out there. I know what it's like to be one of the few black officers. Fortunately the entire time I was on the ship with during the Obama administration and things were much more civil.

Trump didn't win until I was already on shore duty where I worked at a very small base. I primarily work with DOD civilians and contractors so I didn't get the full MAGA experience (thank goodness). Glad I got out when I did.

It still amazes me that so many veterans vote against their own interests, blindly believing that Republicans are better for the military and veterans when Republicans are the one proposing cutting military benefits whenever they can.

 

[atlsfinest]

On a more positive note, I finally got a rating decision on the claim I submitted back in July, It's crazy that it took over 4 months to get a decision. I moved from 80% to 90% and I still have three more C&P exams scheduled for the next couple of weeks. Very high likelihood that I finally get to 100%.

I'm probably being paranoid but I really want to get as much of the process done before Trump takes office as I can. I'm worried about this "government efficiency" campaign Trump is on and how it's going to negatively impact veteran benefits.

 

[solewoman]

Congrats! Got that good ol sleep apnea diagnosis a few months ago. What were majority of your complaints

 

[atlsfinest]

Congrats! Got that good ol sleep apnea diagnosis a few months ago. What were majority of your complaints

My initial claim back in 2019, I claimed a whole bunch of stuff. Knees, back, shoulders, wrist pain, nerve damage, migraines, injuries to my shins, I also got a pretty big scar on my face from an a hatch door hit me in the head on the ship.

I specifically waited 5 years to put in more claims because the VA has the "5-year rule" which means that after 5 years it becomes much harder (although not impossible) for the VA to lower your disability rating.

This second time around I worked with a company that helps veterans increase their disability rating. They provided templates for letters and even did a mock c&p exams on the phone. The company has been helpful but honestly, it's a lot of stuff I could have found on my own.

I claimed anxiety, depression, wrist pain and went for an increase for my scar.

 

[atlsfinest]

Congrats! Got that good ol sleep apnea diagnosis a few months ago. What were majority of your complaints

Are you still on active duty or have you left?

 

[spiderjericho]

I was born in NYC and the son of Haitian immigrants.

For the most part in the Gung Ho Marines, I never experienced a whole lot of “shenanigans.” Not to say it wasn’t covert sometimes. Starting out in public affairs then moving to IT, I was always a minority.

Just feels like religion and politics tends to bring the worse and ignorance out of folks.

As a contractor now, it’s wild when politics come up. BLM was maddening. And nothing was addressed except for saying Blue Lives Matter.

What do ya think of the nomination for SecDef?

 

[atlsfinest]

I was born in NYC and the son of Haitian immigrants.

For the most part in the Gung Ho Marines, I never experienced a whole lot of “shenanigans.” Not to say it wasn’t covert sometimes. Starting out in public affairs then moving to IT, I was always a minority.

Just feels like religion and politics tends to bring the worse and ignorance out of folks.

As a contractor now, it’s wild when politics come up. BLM was maddening. And nothing was addressed except for saying Blue Lives Matter.

What do ya think of the nomination for SecDef?

The new SECDEF is going to be an absolute disaster and I'm glad I'm not I'm active duty anymore.

 

[tupac003]

I was born in NYC and the son of Haitian immigrants.

For the most part in the Gung Ho Marines, I never experienced a whole lot of “shenanigans.” Not to say it wasn’t covert sometimes. Starting out in public affairs then moving to IT, I was always a minority.

Just feels like religion and politics tends to bring the worse and ignorance out of folks.

As a contractor now, it’s wild when politics come up. BLM was maddening. And nothing was addressed except for saying Blue Lives Matter.

What do ya think of the nomination for SecDef?

I'm still active but I'm at the point where I'm seriously thinking about retiring.

My payback for warrant is done next year and I'm negotiating for orders now.

I would love to stay, put on W4, do my high 3 and then retire but the next 4 years are going to be so unhinged, it might make more sense to just walk away when my payback is complete.

This new SECDEF is gonna be a mess.

 

[solewoman]

Are you still on active duty or have you left?

Still active but the next few years will be rough with all these changes. 7 to go lol

 

[cubanbeee]

Had the honor of talking with the current and past SECDEF a few months ago... both were extremely down to earth.

 

[atlsfinest]

Still active but the next few years will be rough with all these changes. 7 to go lol

I thought you were considering getting out a couple years back. What made you want to stay in?

It's going to be tough over the next couple of years, especially with this clown SECDEF Trump has nominated. We are going from a 4-star to a Fox News host who was a JO for a couple of years. Literally you or I are equally as qualified to be SECDEF I

feel for all minority service members but especially the black officers. I know it's like to be one of the few (and oftentimes the only) black person in the wardroom.