desertrat12
New member
This is dedicated to Veterans of all eras, Thank You and Welcome Home. There is an annual trend as the Christmas & Chanukah Holidays starting to show up in social media, perhaps more than in the last decade due to the economy and wealth of decent paying jobs out there.
The issue, I’m [just] home, the holidays are here, there’s no money for the presents for ___________ (insert wife, kids, etc. here) - hell, I can’t even afford a tree to put up, but City Hall has one hat would look good in here.
OK, here’s some ideas, take em for what they’re worth.
1. get roistered at you local VA, the intake is a PIA, if you are an OEF/OIF/OND [era] Vet there is an abundance of help out there. More on the VA later.
2. join various Vets groups and specialty groups like PVA if you meet the criteria.
3. join or check out various civic groups that offer food, presents for those in true need (you) and families. The VA Social Services & OEF/OIF/OND Coordinator, Operation Feedback, Wounded Warrior, Catholic Veterans, Purple Heart Women, VFW, DAV, Salvation Army, Red Cross (if active duty), then state, county or city offerings. For the kids, it may not be too late to get them entered into Toys for Tots, and other local offerings. This list isn’t exclusive and in no particular order.
4. check out your local town’s Rec Therapy offerings. Usually, you will have paid most of the price of admission. Additionally they and the previously mentioned organizations and groups hold holiday parties, family friendly and have presents for the kids.
Now your unit’s philosophy of there is no such thing as PTSD and asking for help is for the weak that they tried drumming into you is BS! By looking out for yourself and family you are demonstrating that you are not weak!
Learn how to hunt and fish if you don’t know how to- its food on your table and great recreation. Various Vets groups can usually hook you up with someone that can teach you and select organizations hold special hunts, at little to no cost. Safari Club International (Link Removed), Sportsmen Against Hunger (search that term and find your state) can help with feeds or food on the table along with acquiring various skills. Getting out in the boonies is good for the spirit and generally you.
Should you be home bound, get your case worker involved with these issues. They are charged with addressing these concerns- food, home help as needed, emotional well being and should be able to address things like trees, presents, etc.
Now a bit about the VA; I am not a VA employee, but a Vet that uses them. First, with the ACA (Obma Care), Pub. Law 11-148, kicking in note that the VA as your provider usually makes you covered under law. Tri-care should handle the family portion for now.
Next, there is an ever increasing list of diseases that are presumptive to service especially if you were around burn pits. For Vietnam Vets, the Agent Orange physical areas and contact contamination have been increased.
Speaking of the ACA, you do not have to answer any firearms related questions per the law, and asking them is illegal. Treatment or denial of treatment cannot be based on a refusal to answer. Check out http://www.usacarry.com/forums/poli...nswer-if-your-doctor-asks-you-about-guns.html for a general [dis]cussin.
Should you have issues with the VA personnel, talk with the Patient Advocate on premises. Any claim problems with a claim, contact a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) from VFW, DAV, PVA, Viet. Vets, etc. which can usually be found at the facility.
What you can do to make things easier for all- get all of your military medical records and check for errors. This means even down to sick call visits and treatment; make sure everything is there and correct. The same applies to your Personnel Files, especially deployment dates and duration. Get errors corrected.
Last, Have a merry Christmas! Hopefully there were some new ideas presented here.
The issue, I’m [just] home, the holidays are here, there’s no money for the presents for ___________ (insert wife, kids, etc. here) - hell, I can’t even afford a tree to put up, but City Hall has one hat would look good in here.
OK, here’s some ideas, take em for what they’re worth.
1. get roistered at you local VA, the intake is a PIA, if you are an OEF/OIF/OND [era] Vet there is an abundance of help out there. More on the VA later.
2. join various Vets groups and specialty groups like PVA if you meet the criteria.
3. join or check out various civic groups that offer food, presents for those in true need (you) and families. The VA Social Services & OEF/OIF/OND Coordinator, Operation Feedback, Wounded Warrior, Catholic Veterans, Purple Heart Women, VFW, DAV, Salvation Army, Red Cross (if active duty), then state, county or city offerings. For the kids, it may not be too late to get them entered into Toys for Tots, and other local offerings. This list isn’t exclusive and in no particular order.
4. check out your local town’s Rec Therapy offerings. Usually, you will have paid most of the price of admission. Additionally they and the previously mentioned organizations and groups hold holiday parties, family friendly and have presents for the kids.
Now your unit’s philosophy of there is no such thing as PTSD and asking for help is for the weak that they tried drumming into you is BS! By looking out for yourself and family you are demonstrating that you are not weak!
Learn how to hunt and fish if you don’t know how to- its food on your table and great recreation. Various Vets groups can usually hook you up with someone that can teach you and select organizations hold special hunts, at little to no cost. Safari Club International (Link Removed), Sportsmen Against Hunger (search that term and find your state) can help with feeds or food on the table along with acquiring various skills. Getting out in the boonies is good for the spirit and generally you.
Should you be home bound, get your case worker involved with these issues. They are charged with addressing these concerns- food, home help as needed, emotional well being and should be able to address things like trees, presents, etc.
Now a bit about the VA; I am not a VA employee, but a Vet that uses them. First, with the ACA (Obma Care), Pub. Law 11-148, kicking in note that the VA as your provider usually makes you covered under law. Tri-care should handle the family portion for now.
Next, there is an ever increasing list of diseases that are presumptive to service especially if you were around burn pits. For Vietnam Vets, the Agent Orange physical areas and contact contamination have been increased.
Speaking of the ACA, you do not have to answer any firearms related questions per the law, and asking them is illegal. Treatment or denial of treatment cannot be based on a refusal to answer. Check out http://www.usacarry.com/forums/poli...nswer-if-your-doctor-asks-you-about-guns.html for a general [dis]cussin.
Should you have issues with the VA personnel, talk with the Patient Advocate on premises. Any claim problems with a claim, contact a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) from VFW, DAV, PVA, Viet. Vets, etc. which can usually be found at the facility.
What you can do to make things easier for all- get all of your military medical records and check for errors. This means even down to sick call visits and treatment; make sure everything is there and correct. The same applies to your Personnel Files, especially deployment dates and duration. Get errors corrected.
Last, Have a merry Christmas! Hopefully there were some new ideas presented here.
