I’m single with no dependents, and don’t own any property. Also on VA healthcare. The only deductible I have is my car insurance and it’s low. I am living off of less than $3,500 a month, and saving the rest of my income and VA checks.

Do you guys still think it’s recommended to have an emergency fund? I’d like to invest my E fund in the stock market, but I’m not sure if that’s wiss. Thoughts?

My aunt served in afghanistan (Kabul airport from the early 2000s to around 2014) and because she was icelandic (and icelanders tend to fit better in with eachother than the millitary,) the people working with them started referring to them as "the icelandic mafia".

I was wondering if someone who served could confirm this story and maybe a few others she told me, whether they remember hearing about it or not.

can i still get a federal job or military contractor job with 2 misdemeanor and a very small deal felony (UUV) ? i got the charges dismissed but i have an honorable discharge ? should i have it expunged it seem like federal background checks they can still see the charges… is my life over ?

(Air Force Vet) For me, I did base honor guard so I miss doing that a lot… Very rewarding tour and changed my perspective on life. Also, I miss basic training.. it was a nice break. I wish I could go back and re-do it every time I need to escape.

Spent 10yrs in the military, transitioned to civilian life about 4 yrs ago. More pay, more time off, telworking. But man the daily grind wears me down. Maybe I shouldn't be complaining but Jesus

I got out this May, and realized I was depressed in August. I didn’t get a consultation until the middle of September, and my first appointment was finally today. But I fucked up and missed it by an hour and the thought of bottling it all up until next week is just a lot to bear. I’m back in college these days and there’s only like one other student veteran who’s around my age (24) and no one else will ever quite get it, or care just as much as we do.

Hello All,

33M in San Antonio, TX right now. I have never been much of a fan and would like to eventually work on bush planes in Alaska.

I have been looking at the AMT program that some colleges put on and found one here in San Antonio and one in Anchorage.

With that being said, if I have to stay in SA for the 24 months I will, but I’m curious to know how yall are doing financially up there strictly on the GI? Is the BAH enough to help with housing? I’ve got my va rating and would prob work part time somewhere if allowed, it’s just me and 3 dogs, I’d hunt and fish for our meats and either grow or go to market places for vegetables and fruits. I’m just curious to know I guess how expensive it is up there.

If anyone has any personal experiences they’d like to share as well from either school for their AMT A&P programs, I’d be happy to hear them too.

Thanks everyone

Air Force only please

When you officially move from TRDL to PRDL how did they send you your new retirement orders and did you need to re enroll in Tricare? I know we should get new IDs because the TRDL ones have expiration dates. Anyone who recently went through this change can you provide your experience ? What was all the steps you did? Just trying to get prepared. Looking for personal experiences not second hand or different branch. Thanks.

If you no longer have to work a job and are comfortably living off retirement/disability, where did you choose to retire?

I want to build a family in the country using the VA construction loan in an area that doesn’t receive snow. Texas is the most obvious answer but I want to know if there are any other places that check off many boxes for veterans.

I was watching an episode of Criminal Minds this morning. I noticed the “General” in the episode had a bunch of Navy ribbons on his uniform. I realized I always check out a ribbon rack on an actor when I watch a show or movie. It seems like most of the time the ribbons are all wrong. Wrong order, wrong service, wrong everything. Same with uniforms in general.

Why can’t they get something so simple correct? 🤔

It made laugh. Does anyone else unconsciously do this? 😂

The part about being alone that is never really discussed; isn't always so much about not having people to go to in times of distress.

You can talk to the crisis line, you can talk to your brothers although ultimately at the end, its just talk. Nothing is actually solved

You can check in to in patient, sure get a week or two 'mental break' but the same variables that are causing the feelings of being alone, are still their waiting.

You can bend, you can break, you can become entirely forged by iron into a sword but a sword only has 1 purpose.

You can reforge that same sword into a shield but it is only as good as the person wielding said shield.

22 a day, isn't about not trying, its about trying so hard, every single day until you just wake up at 4am one day & realize, Im spinning wheels on asphalt & getting no traction & no matter how hard you fight for growth or change; its never really enough

I have brothers to talk too, they have their own distresses but would absolutely answer if I called. Again, It just doesn't produce a lasting affect.

Loneliness. That is the silent 22 killer.

The bear proof trash can conundrum is that parks try to make a bear proof trash can, but there's a huge overlap between the smartest bears and the dumbest humans. If they make the cans too bear proof, stupid people can't figure out how to use them. But if they make them too user friendly, smart bears get in them.

VA services sometimes are trying so hard to protect themselves from being utilized in situations and by people who don't deserve them, they become incredibly difficult to be utilized by the people who need them. For example, I need transportation to pick up my prosthetic device. My VA doesn't make these in house, they use a company that's 2 hours away. I have to go pick it up. I have struggled for weeks to get approved transportation. I keep getting denied because my appointment isn't for a VA facility, because I don't have a valid appointment scheduled in my record. Getting anyone to talk to me, and getting an opportunity to explain my situation has been almost impossible. Because you can only leave messages. I finally got frustrated and left a nasty voicemail saying someone better call me back. They did, only to tell me I need my doctor to submit a request for transportation. And I'm just so exasperated. They know prosthetic situations are different and will show up differently. I've had prosthetics leave notes on my record. Why do I have to do all this extra work just for a ride? I know this is disjointed, I'm just so frustrated

For context I have just received a job offer from Gardaworld for overseas contracting WPS III (also new to contracting). I’m also freshly separating from the military and had just go accepted into college for nursing. Does anyone have any tips how I can do both or if I could? I want to pursue nursing I still need to get my basics the first two years anyways it would just have to be online.

My husband submitted a redevelopment plan to his VR&E counselor, it has been over a month. She has said she needs to review redevelopment plans on the order she received it. Does anyone how long it takes for it to be approved or denied? He is on the educational track and is not changing majors just schools and adding certifications. Thank you!