- Feb 2, 2014
- 39,384
- 55,904
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.
The Official Military Thread. Vol 1
atlsfinest
Supporter
- Feb 8, 2009
- 17,940
- 25,095
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
Supporter
- Feb 8, 2009
- 17,940
- 25,095
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.
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
Staff member
- Jul 27, 2006
- 19,676
- 21,749
Congrats! Got that good ol sleep apnea diagnosis a few months ago. What were majority of your complaints
atlsfinest
Supporter
- Feb 8, 2009
- 17,940
- 25,095
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
Supporter
- Feb 8, 2009
- 17,940
- 25,095
Are you still on active duty or have you left?
- Aug 30, 2012
- 19,031
- 9,452
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?
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
Supporter
- Feb 8, 2009
- 17,940
- 25,095
The new SECDEF is going to be an absolute disaster and I'm glad I'm not I'm active duty anymore.
- Jan 18, 2006
- 40,713
- 45,791
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
Staff member
- Jul 27, 2006
- 19,676
- 21,749
Still active but the next few years will be rough with all these changes. 7 to go lol
- Aug 7, 2003
- 567
- 1,142
Had the honor of talking with the current and past SECDEF a few months ago... both were extremely down to earth.
atlsfinest
Supporter
- Feb 8, 2009
- 17,940
- 25,095
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
Ifeel 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.
atlsfinest
Supporter
- Feb 8, 2009
- 17,940
- 25,095
Apparently taking care of veterans is "absurdly generous"
- Jan 18, 2006
- 40,713
- 45,791
atlsfinest
Supporter
- Feb 8, 2009
- 17,940
- 25,095
People thought it was paranoid when I was telling them about the Republicans plan to cut VA benefits. I think they are just setting the stage by shifting the narrative.
This is particularly funny coming from the economist because they are neocon, warmongers whoadvocate for the US to intervene in every major conflict around the globe and now they have their audacity to say that US veterans who fought in these conflicts are receiving "absurdly generous" benefits.
Fox hosts attack veterans who apply for too many government benefits
Unbelievable.
Even the new SECDEF Trump plans on nominating has publicly disparaged veterans for applying to receive VA benefits, saying that they lack integrity.
I'm all for the "warrior ethos", rah rah, patriotic mindset but for the vast majority of service members the military is a job. You're willing to serve your country and there are sacrifices involved but at the end of the day it's still a job and if the US is going to lessen benefits then we're going to have a tough time maintaining a large military.
Last edited:
- Dec 23, 2006
- 6,576
- 1,089
Just finished meps to join the air force reserves now just waiting
- Jan 18, 2006
- 40,713
- 45,791
Navy gonna get another 4 years out of me. They gave me the orders I want.
That will be my last duty station (unless I can get the shore duty I want after that) this will take me to 27.5 years I'll either extend 6 months to get to 28 or go for shore and Max out at 30. Should be putting on W4 next December.
That will be my last duty station (unless I can get the shore duty I want after that) this will take me to 27.5 years I'll either extend 6 months to get to 28 or go for shore and Max out at 30. Should be putting on W4 next December.
Last edited:
- Jun 20, 2019
- 1,269
- 3,388
Where you headed breh? My best AF assignments were Okinawa, Osan and Ramstein
atlsfinest
Supporter
- Feb 8, 2009
- 17,940
- 25,095
Congrats! You are going to dang near be the SWAN my guy. Amazing career. What's been your favorite and least favorite duty stations and billets?
Have you thought about your post career career goals or are you going to completely call it quits once you retire?
- Jan 18, 2006
- 40,713
- 45,791
Going to a Helo command in San Diego. It's sea duty but without a lot of the bs a ship can bring.
Congrats! You are going to dang near be the SWAN my guy. Amazing career. What's been your favorite and least favorite duty stations and billets?
Have you thought about your post career career goals or are you going to completely call it quits once you retire?
Favorite duty station was by far Bahrain. I'd do anything to go back there.
Least Favorite was my time in Washington state on the Stennis and Nimitz.
Post career is going to be a career in HR. My degree is in business administration and I have been preparing for retirement the last 3 years just in case I didn't get the orders I wanted.
Now I have time to get more certifications.
Beans
formerly beans718
- Apr 6, 2003
- 10,773
- 10,374
hit the button last mont to retire and today signed up for the Air Force marathon. I’ll be on terminal when the race starts. For those still serving.. that last year is short with all the leave and skill bridge stuff. Only advise would be don’t sleep on your timelines.
atlsfinest
Supporter
- Feb 8, 2009
- 17,940
- 25,095
I only hit Bahrain on a port visit and had a good time. I would imagine it would be fun to be stationed there If I didn't have a family.
I actually really liked Washington. I was stationed on the Stennis from 2013-2016. Bremerton is kind of a dump, being in the shipyard sucks and obviously the weather in Washington take some getting used to but I really liked being in close proximity to Seattle and Tacoma.
atlsfinest
Supporter
- Feb 8, 2009
- 17,940
- 25,095
- Jan 18, 2006
- 40,713
- 45,791
Congratulations!!! Enjoy the well deserved retirement.
I'm from Cali so Washington was just never going to be it for me.
Everett wasn't too bad but Bremerton is a hell no for me....lol
- May 4, 2013
- 16,954
- 17,027
I am on terminal leave right now, after just about 25 years, you couldn’t imagine how tight I was when I was checking out of TPU with a few other folks and they didn’t slide me my DD-214. I sat there and watched people get their DD-214s and I was jealous. I’m like “how the **** I submitted everything early, and correct, but my **** isn’t ready prior to terminal” the Navy has to do better….
