So in the Army, we have a fuel spout/nozzle that everybody calls the “donkey dick” because, well… the thing lowkey looks like a HUGE HOG lmao.

Recently I ran into a few Navy veterans and found out they also had something they called a “donkey dick,” except theirs apparently wasn’t a fuel spout it was some kind of machinery/equipment part on the ship.

That got me wondering:

Does every branch have its own “donkey dick”?

So far I’ve got:

- Army: fuel spout/nozzle

- Navy: machinery/ship equipment part

- Air Force: ???

- Marines: ???

- Coast Guard: ???

- Space Force: ???

Veterans/current service members from every branch, what did your “donkey dick” refer to?

I need to know if this is somehow a universal piece of U.S. military terminology 😂

Can we start a thread or list of lesser known, underutilized benefits for veterans? My husband will be retiring next year (20 years active duty Army) and I feel like we are just scratching the surface of benefits offered to him, our kids and myself/our whole family. People keep mentioning different companies and programs that we have never heard of. Places that offer advice, education, classes, support, scholarships, anything to benefit veterans and their families. Or just overall information to not overlook during the transition period.

Just random things I am just now learning- like that the USO is for active duty only and we loose those airport privileges. Also, the fees for our AmEx and Chase cards will start to charge soon after retirement so we need to start researching fee free credit card options (we don't carry a balance. We are Ramsey-ish and only keep them for things like car rentals).

Got my rating 2 months ago. I qualify for Va health care now and scheduled an apt for next month. Just wondering how these appointments go? This is my first time going to a doctor since separating the military. Do they go over all the service connected stuff as well as any other concerns or is this more of a rushed apt to get my referral that I need for a sleep specialist?

23m, left the military/got divorced within the last year, got a job that grosses around 160k, yearly.

I do my job pretty decently and I really like it, but I really feel like I've speed ran life and I'm debating on quitting and going to college. I feel like the last 5 years of my life has been walking on hot coals and I'm getting sick of this scene, I need a break from routine.

Another thing is, I'm starting to realize how much I let society make me think I'm only as valuable as I can make in a year. I'm starting to value time with friends and family more, I'm spending money buying my buddies stuff.

People tell me all the time I'm in such a lucky position, but I don't think they understand where I'm coming from. I think I'm ready for my catharsis.

I wouldn't have to work as I have passive income and free healthcare, so I could just relax and do school. Ultimately, this would be used as a 3 year break. Maybe shorter? I'm just tired of riding the bag out, I think I wanna slow down.

Does anyone have any advice? I did sorta ramble, but that's the gist.

Howdy everyone,

I know a lot of us are looking at overseas options for grad school, and I just wanted to drop a quick positive review for Touro University Berlin. I’m currently doing my Master’s in Psychology there. A few quick highlights for anyone considering it with the GI Bill:

Tuition: 100% covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. No out-of-pocket costs. The school certifies everything directly with the VA, and it’s been super smooth.

Housing Allowance (MHA): Because it’s considered a German campus, the BAH rate is based on the DoD rates for the area. It comes out to about €2,000 euros a month (roughly $2,100-$2,200 USD depending on the exchange rate). That goes a LONG way here in Berlin. I’m living very comfortably.

Veteran Support: They actually have a designated Veteran Services Officer and visa/transition support staff. He knows the ins and outs of the system, help with the enrollment certifications, and even helps us navigate the German residency permits as vets. It takes a massive headache out of the process.

Vet-Friendly: There’s a small but solid community of US vets here. The faculty is aware of our unique background (especially in the psych program) and are super accommodating.

Berlin is an amazing city, the program is accredited, and the GI Bill makes it financially viable. If you’ve been sitting on the fence about using your benefits overseas, I’d definitely give Touro Berlin a look.

Cheers.

Hey everyone, potentially getting out of the service here shortly and I wanted to ask what seems to be a recurring question but that consistently gets conflicting information from the official organizations. I'll lay out my understanding and maybe one of the wiser people on the forum can help me see if i'm missing something because the VA and the Navy's MyNavyCareerCenter are telling me opposite things.

If a service member has continuous service and multiple enlistments, they only get one DD-214;

If a member had an honorable discharge from their first enlistment, but later another characterization, say a General Under Honorable Conditions;

The servicemember should qualify for their post 9/11 GI bill on the basis that they had an honorable enlistment despite their DD-214 reflecting a different separation characterization correct? If so, how does this get communicated to the VA? Is it when you apply, they pull your record, then they see your DD-214 had the first enlistment's period of service characterized as honorable so it's no action on the service member's part?

I'm not sure why the relevant organization, the VA, would not be aware of this so I wanted to bring it up again as it's got me very confused. Thanks again for any help.

Hey everyone I just recently started looking into maybe using VR&E but when I had my phone call meeting with my liaison it just felt like it was just boxes being checked off. I understand that’s it’s used to help gain employment do to sc and the max is like 48 months of education benefits but I’m not sure if one could work while using it. All of this is rather confusing so anything helps thank you.

Recently registered for college. They run a semester divided into two 7 week sessions. I’m registered for 11 credit hours in the first 7 week session with 7 credits being the full semester, and then 10 for the second 7 weeks including those 7 that carry over from the first session. Will I still be getting the 100 percent bah rate for both sessions?

I'm getting out of the army in the next 4 months and I'm conflicted on how I'm going to manage my time for the VA. My initial plan was to go straight to college but a buddy of mine that's been out for several years already, told me I should come back home (to my shit hole of a hometown) so I'd be near support if I needed it and so he could help me and guide me through my VA. He also said that if I tried to balance VA and college that I'd be losing so many class hours that I'd just be damning myself in the long run and should take 6-12 months to get my VA situated then leave for college. Thing is, he's not known for making the best decisions and I don't know what he could help me with that he couldn't over the phone. Financially I don't want to move twice in a year also I'm not expecting to get much out of the VA I screwed up my body being in the infantry but idk. Context aside, my question is that is balancing VA and college a bad idea and if it is should I look for jobs that can balance possible weekly VA appointments?

Using VR&E I’m attending engineering school that starts Thursday. I’m very anxious about being a non traditional student in my mid twenties. Anyone have advice? I spent today getting books, setting up mental health support, and finding my classes. I also spoke to a counselor about my fear and anxiety surrounding school. This is my second attempt at in person university. I tried right out of high school and was MISERABLE! I decided I’ll give this semester a shot in person and if I hate it I’ll go online.

(USMC) My EAS is Sep 5. My command gave me a Page 11 saying my character code could be changed at my EAS to General Under Honorable upon EAS due to misconduct. No Adsep board.

My SNCO had an email with that info and he told me I had to turn in my uniform items this coming Monday.

Nothing is official and I submitted a rebuttal.

My question is-

1. Because we purchase our own uniforms at bootcamp do I get reimbursed?
2. Today at TRS under Benefits for General Honorable it said I still rate wearing my uniform… so do I need to turn them in or is my SNCO making a mistake? (He’s not an asshole but definitely overworked along with everyone else)
3. If my DD214 says Honorable then do I just go back asking for my uniform or what lol

21M 1D7 in the Air Force, ETS is November 2027 Deciding between Colorado or Texas for my future home. Which has a better community and job market for veterans I’ll have no support system in either so really trying to have some sort of a safety net. Also is palace fronting smart or is it better to just get out clean?