Military Veteran Options?

Ken P.

How come you didn't do the full 20? You would have gotten a pension and medical benefits for life. To me, that is like winning the lottery in today's economy. I always look at the servicemen who do their full 20 and I sometimes feel envy. Can you imagine collecting $25,000 per year and not have to worry about healthcare ever again especially the young ones who retire at age 38. My gosh.

If I only knew then when I know now. Of course, the military is not an easy life with constant deployments, uprooting a family, taking **** from fellow officers, and the grind of the job. I've always been interested in soldiers who get out of the military before 20 years and those who stay the full 20 to get the pot of gold at the end. Are they a different breed?

I had origionally planned to stay the full 20 years, but things happened along the way that changed things. During my deployment, I had a few issues.... hell, I struggled with some of the events we went through and although everyone handles it differently, certain things changed me and not for the better. I almost ruined my marriage, I was angry all the time, which alienated my kids. Well...it took me to a bad place in my head. I got the help I needed and repaired my family life...repaired me. At the risk of sounding weak, the human mind is a fragile thing and each person has thier breaking point. I didn't reach mine but it was too close for comfort. All the money and benefits in the world aren't worth the paper thier printed on if your spirit is broken and you're all alone. I did what I thought was best for my family. I have no regrets although I do miss the comradery; however, I agree that those who can go the full distance and still be who they want to be, they certainly have earned my respect.

On a different note, I'm trying to find which company will be the best fit for me. My biggest selling points, I want a solid health care plan (have a son with type 1 diabetes), and I want to be able to see my family at least every couple weeks. I don't mind sucking it up for a year or two (can't spell success without suck) but want to find a company that is fdairly local so I can be a husband and a father on more that a part-time basis. I'm in central Missouri. Ideas?

Thanks for serving! I'm retired USAF. Regarding the replacement DD-214. They can be ordered online. I got a spare a few years ago when I was nervous about letting the original out of my hands. Check www.nvf.org and www.archives.gov. It takes 3-4 weeks.

Also, check with some companies. Swift offers vet scholarships and partial grants and also has a repay with 13 month service with them. I'm already talking to the recruiter and I've been out over 20 years. Swift and others like the work ethic veterans bring to the workforce. I've found nothing but lip-service to vets in the white-color arena I've been in since retirement.

Good luck with you research and future endeavors.

Good to know. Always interested to find VA friendly companies. Some of the companies I've looked at list a 'money up front'. Do you know if that get deducted from your future earnings or do I need to show up with cash up front? I'm not in the best shape financially at the moment. My savings got drained in the past four months while I've been job hunting (although I will admit I took a month off and did nothing when I first got out. After 9 years, kind of wanted a vacation).

Thanks for serving! I'm retired USAF. Regarding the replacement DD-214. They can be ordered online. I got a spare a few years ago when I was nervous about letting the original out of my hands. Check www.nvf.org and www.archives.gov. It takes 3-4 weeks.

Also, check with some companies. Swift offers vet scholarships and partial grants and also has a repay with 13 month service with them. I'm already talking to the recruiter and I've been out over 20 years. Swift and others like the work ethic veterans bring to the workforce. I've found nothing but lip-service to vets in the white-color arena I've been in since retirement.

Good luck with you research and future endeavors.

Good to know. Always interested to find VA friendly companies. Some of the companies I've looked at list a 'money up front'. Do you know if that get deducted from your future earnings or do I need to show up with cash up front? I'm not in the best shape financially at the moment. My savings got drained in the past four months while I've been job hunting (although I will admit I took a month off and did nothing when I first got out. After 9 years, kind of wanted a vacation).

You need some living money and depending on the school you may need to pay for your medical card and student fees. Check the company school page here on TT for some quick insight. Yes, any school costs (tuition) will be deducted and if you stay longer than the initial stint they reimburse at the same rate.

Ken P.

Those are some truthful words you have spoken. Sometimes the spirit and mind is fragile and it's not worth the paper its printed on. Agreed. Maybe the health benefits and pay are over-rated in the end. I always wondered about that because I have worked with so many former military men who have said to me "I regret leaving the army or air force and not doing my 20 years." I say to them re-enlist if you are still within the age requirements. Some say ..."no, been there done that." Of course the older ex soldiers have said I wish I did my 20 and got my pension, etc and are now working in customer service or another occupation.

Ken P.

Those are some truthful words you have spoken. Sometimes the spirit and mind is fragile and it's not worth the paper its printed on. Agreed. Maybe the health benefits and pay are over-rated in the end. I always wondered about that because I have worked with so many former military men who have said to me "I regret leaving the army or air force and not doing my 20 years." I say to them re-enlist if you are still within the age requirements. Some say ..."no, been there done that." Of course the older ex soldiers have said I wish I did my 20 and got my pension, etc and are now working in customer service or another occupation.

I'll never regret my decision to join. I got a lot of great experience, learned new skills, good training and the best of friends. My wife and I just decided that that wasn't going to be the best fit for our family long-term. I've always loved being on long road trips and seeing new places. I think trucking is the best fit. I'm sure after a while it gets tiresome being on the road all the time, but if a career was fun 100% of the time, they wouldn't have to pay you to do it, and with the healthcare benefits, pay and 401k, it's similar enough to military life for me. Structured and mission driven, but with a little more freedom and autonomy. I don't know why I didn't look into this a while back. It just makes sense.

There are some companies (Schneider & Roehl participate) that offer an apprenticeship program for veterans in which you earn a monthly educational pay check from the VA in addition to your company pay. Here are the links if you want to check them out.

http://www.roehl.jobs/drivers/roehl-honor-program

http://schneiderjobs.com/company-drivers/military/apprenticeship-program

Ken P.

Those are some truthful words you have spoken. Sometimes the spirit and mind is fragile and it's not worth the paper its printed on. Agreed. Maybe the health benefits and pay are over-rated in the end. I always wondered about that because I have worked with so many former military men who have said to me "I regret leaving the army or air force and not doing my 20 years." I say to them re-enlist if you are still within the age requirements. Some say ..."no, been there done that." Of course the older ex soldiers have said I wish I did my 20 and got my pension, etc and are now working in customer service or another occupation.

I'll never regret my decision to join. I got a lot of great experience, learned new skills, good training and the best of friends. My wife and I just decided that that wasn't going to be the best fit for our family long-term. I've always loved being on long road trips and seeing new places. I think trucking is the best fit. I'm sure after a while it gets tiresome being on the road all the time, but if a career was fun 100% of the time, they wouldn't have to pay you to do it, and with the healthcare benefits, pay and 401k, it's similar enough to military life for me. Structured and mission driven, but with a little more freedom and autonomy. I don't know why I didn't look into this a while back. It just makes sense.

That's nicely said.