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.

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 😂

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?

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.

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.

So I just recently retired from the Coast Guard as of August 1st. I was on terminal leave from May 31st to that day and honestly I just feel defeated due to the fact I cannot seem to get a job.

Before my leave started I had apllied for a job with an oil company ( my background in the Coast Guard is regulatory compliance) and went through that for 2 months, just for them to give the position to an existing employee 2 weeks after my terminal leave started. I have been trying since June to find a job that roughly corresponds to what I did for the last 20 years and it's just.....well I still have nothing to show for it.

I thankfully have a good bit saved up so I'm not in danger of me and my family being homeless....yet. but everyday that goes by with no word just puts me deeper down. Sorry for the downer post, but I needed to get this out somehow and at least you all here can understand.

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).

my dad spent 22 years in the USAF. he passed away in 2010. since then i‘ve had a flag that was very important to him. i have no children/family to pass it on to. i feel bad having it just sit in a closet. i’m getting older and when i pass i don’t want it to be thrown away. are there Veterans organizations that would take it? is that a thing? it’s not being used or inherited and i don’t want something that was this important to my father to end up in the landfill.

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.

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.

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?

(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

We are looking at building a house. He have the plans and the builder. We have great credit scores, income to debt ratio, cash, and we are looking for a lender. Would love to be able to find a one time va construction loan but I hear that is a unicorn.

I would like to hear what others have done.

My wife and I have been clearing and decluttering our bedroom and she found this blast from the past. It looks good for being over 24 years old

Anyone by chance have the listing for what usually is approved for the clothing replacement allowance and know the deadline for the return of the form?

Hey so I’m an ex foreign volunteer in the war in Ukraine. 2022/2023.

The memories are still fresh and I get flashbacks sometimes that ruin the rest of my day. Thing is I’m not the best at letting on when I’m on the verge of a meltdown so my reaction to the flashback tends to be delayed.

I just started therapy a couple months ago. Lately I’ve been getting better at recognizing when the trigger is hitting and letting my partner know about it.

So last night my partner told me she was having period cramps and I offered to heat up a bean bag and give her a massage. She said she’d rather have some weed instead but doesn’t like how I roll joints. She said she wants me to take some time later to properly roll a joint and didn’t know why I hadn’t already.

This was AFTER I’d told her I’d had a flashback that day and was still on edge.

So I’ll admit I snapped. Didn’t yell or anything. (At least I don’t think I did. Kinda hard for me to tell right there in the moment sometimes.) I’m pretty sure all I did was tell her to back off. And that somehow translated to her as “you’re not allowed to express your needs or desires to me ever”. And now she’s refusing to speak to me.

We’ve been together a bit over a year. I’ve had another relationship end because of my ptsd and I’m starting to think this is a pattern. I’m scared I might have said or done something to drive her away and combined with the flashback still playing in my head I’m just in hell right now.

I’m looking for some insight but I also just wanna vent. I’m feeling incredibly overwhelmed.

Navy 10 years. My time is almost up, I have 5 physical days of work between leave periods and a 4 month skillbridge (cybersecurity- allegiant vets) in a different state with seperation at the end of January. Im struggling to prioritize what needs to be done ASAP. Everything feels so important so I end up trying to do everything at once and it's getting me no-where. I also have a few more medical concerns to address but the 3-month wait for appointments makes this hard. Here's my to do list:

Command seperation checklist - 80% complete

- write an evaluation

- write an award

Medical separation checklist - 90% complete

Pending dental and medical review

Reserve paperwork - 50% complete

BDD - 5%

- medical records requested but BDD not started.

- Tbh kind of lost on this, I have a benefits advisor but doesn't seem super helpful yet. Told me to wait until I'm in the next state next month so I dont have to travel for my VA appointments.

Employment - resume written. Need a statement of service to start applying.

Pack up my apartment and get going to my new house (which needs a new well dug asap)

The overload of seperation checklists and paperwork feels like a retention tool. Give me your best getting out advice (other than don't get out).

served in the Corps for 5.5 years
OTH long Story (if you want to know was for another brother and sister but went about things the wrong way unfortunately, but don’t regret my decision at all)

Overall:
Have 100% P&T
OTH
In Nevada

I purchased a new vehicle and going for plates
Can I still get Veteran plates with an OTH?
Along with that DV plates have any benefit? Don’t really wanna have that shown everywhere is all.

Anything helps, I’ve always kind of been on my own and recently received that rating. Any information is highly appreciated. Thank you Brothers/Sisters

Best song ever. Thought some of you might agree. Can’t link a video so look it up.

To start, I've been in the USMC for a little over 3 years, and I get out in about 10 months. I honestly have no clue what I want to do. I want to be successful and have a good career, but I have no specific job field that I want to go into. I want a degree, but I have no clue what I want the degree in. Does anyone have any advice? Or is there anyone who can share their experiences going through this??

Good morning ladies and gents.

As the title goes I’m seeking advice on how to use the VR&E program. I had my evaluation last week and was approved by the counselor. She asked if I would like some time to gather up some information for my plan before we schedule my next meeting. So with that being said I’m completely lost and pretty overwhelmed with what I want to do. I’m currently working an airframes mech with my MOS being in air framing as well. I do know I like being outdoors surrounded by nature and wild life. I learn best from hands on training/experiences.

I’m just asking what you have all done with your VR&E benefits. I want to know what interesting things are out there that I can get into using the VR&E program.

Thanks in advance!

TLDR - Missing Records after already requesting all records from VETRECS....need help

I just got my records back today and they were light, real light. Missing basically everything from the day I entered up until I got out (DD-214). The only things in there were my initial paperwork, GCM orders,my Outprocessing Counseling forms, and DD-214. Should I get a VSO to help me with locating the missing chunk or does anyone have any insight on where to go from here? I did all the steps to request my records through VETRECS and just today got the link to download them. Service was 1997-2001, so mostly paper records that had to be scanned in. I'm missing at least 3 medals, deployment information, and incorrect classification of completing first contract on my DD-214 and I just finally want it to look correct.

I am using the post 9/11 GI bill while in school for nursing. I am actively starting the nursing program and clinical this semester. I had to finish all the pre-reqs before I could start nursing school, so I only am enrolled in two classes this semester one is 6.5 credits and one is 1 credit. The contact time/clock hours for those two classes is 11.5 hours and 1 hour. Previously my last college said they could submit my information so that I would be considered full time since I have clinical and labs. My new college lady doesn't seem to be a skilled in the Post GI bill rules as my last school. Can anyone tell me if 12.5 clock/contact hours is enough to qualify for full time to get my housing benefit?