The resources provided here helped me take a proactive approach to my healing and I will always be grateful for that.

So I don't put any pictures of me in the service or mention I'm a veteran in my bio because I think it's a fun fact to bring up on first dates.

What I never anticipated was the amount of guys who lie and say they were in the military. It's actually hilarious lol

I asked one guy where he was stationed at he said "the PA national guard".

Another guy went on about being on deployment and I asked what base and he said it was confidential.

The latest date I went on said he got to skip a bunch of basic training because he was more athletic than the Drill Sergeants

All of these guys also claimed to be special forces...! Lmao none of them claimed to be veterans on their profiles - I don't understand why this is a thing.

When I tell them I'm a veteran, they suddenly don't want to talk about the military anymore lol

I just never thought people would actually do that. It's only happened 3 times but it's 3 too many. It's just weird as hell.

Thanks for reading!

It was bittersweet receiving this in the mail on Saturday. Nearly 13 years since the incident. I’ve learned a lot about the process along the way. Anyone need assistance with the process I’ll pass along all the info I’ve acquired.

This was my hospitalization for a delete attempt. I was to say how incredibly grateful I am for the support of the VA, my friends/family, and this community. I am doing better and am very happy to still be here. When I first opened this letter I almost hit the deck, but I am worry free now cause of the VA. Many are not as lucky. Just wanted to share some uplifting news in light of all the BS going on. Semper Fi

I’m a young black female veteran and someone just yelled at me pointed out at the sign and asked me if I know how to read and if I’m even a veteran. Then proceeds to take a picture of my license plate and told me they are going to be calling the cops on me. I told them go right ahead and do it. I’m tired of explaining myself to people who need to mind their business… I’m just tired…

Like many of my fellow veterans, I developed an unhealthy relationship with alcohol while in the military. Today marks SIX years since I took my last sip and decided to put alcohol away. Granted, picking January of 2020 to stop drinking was not the best timing but I made it through the pandemic and onward! Feeling pretty damn proud today!!

I don't really know how to reddit, and don't really ever make any posts, but recent events have me feeling so disappointed I feel the need to say something. From speaking with my veteran patients, I am hopeful there are some that may feel the same way, as well.

As most of you may be aware of, recent attacks on the federal workforce are having an effect on the VA system. It's almost like bleeding out from the inside. The 1000 employees that recently were laid off is just the tip of the iceberg. A week or two ago supervisors had to report who was within their probationary 2 year period still-- likely aiming to fire/unhire them. Although the frontline clinical staff were spared to some extent for now, they seem to be crippling us by getting rid of our administrative staff and not allowing us to hire any. They serve an essential role in keeping the clinics and hospitals running. Without their work for patient scheduling, supplies/inventory management, upkeep/maintenance, timekeeping, etc., we will eventually crumble.

I spend my days working with my medical team and we barely have any room to eat or have a bathroom break, but seeing you all come in sick and discharging from the hospital feeling better is worth it all. The VA was my dream job since graduating residency and I am blessed and happy to work here. I hope you can empathize with me when I think that an email from OPM asking me to describe what I did last week to be an absolute waste of time. Time that I could be using to care for the vets instead.

For those of you who are vets who believe in the VA and the care it gives, I implore you to go to your town halls, to call your senators and house representatives, get your voice out there and let people know if you want to see the VA as an essential part of your healthcare. If this post gets even a few of you guys more active to get your voice out and be heard, I'll consider it a success. I just don't want to see this place go down without a fight.

Edit: Thank you all for the awards and kind words. Since this post was made, it became official that they've let go 1400 "probationary" (i.e. hired within 2 years). These people were *indiscriminately* fired and was not merit based. They claimed these people were not providing veteran care but there was a joint congressional hearing yesterday (link below) that details doctors and prosthetics staff getting let go at another VA. On top of this, it was estimated that hundreds of vets themselves were let go. Mike Bost (senator and chairman) seems to be more focused on gaslighting these concerns rather than providing actual answers to why VA staff and namely veterans are being let go. Watch for yourself, its rather infuriating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVj7w3Mzvhk

Found a hat salesman at a VA hospital. Had a nice selection.

I was up until 4:30 this morning. I was crying all night. I was considering doing 100mph into Lake Caroline today. I was on a delivery route because I lost my job last month and I'm not gonna make rent for October so I'm outta there most likely. The only safe place I've ever had in my life. I have an appointment with a bankruptcy attorney on Monday. As I came around a bend looking for an address a little girl and her mother waved and smiled. I waved back and continued on with my route. I went home and didn't kill myself today.

Gimme that parking spot

He's also fought for Vietnam vets affected by Agent Orange... His latest antics was ensuring that the burn pit veterans bill was passed and signed...

Now, hes arguing against potential massive budget cuts to the Veterans Administration.

The only "famous" person who ACTUALLY gives a shit about us.

I (f/34) JUST got into a verbal altercation with another vet in our VA clinics therapy waiting room because I’m not a combat vet and he is, and according to him I should not have ptsd. I shouldn’t have had to explain to him that I was raped in uniform, but I mean he asked and I responded. He then tells me he lost his leg so I should sit the ___ down and stop faking disabilities because real vets need the money. I told him he’s never getting his leg back and I’m never going to be unraped so what the __ even is this. He limped his sorry ass outside and I’m sitting here livid waiting for my doctor.

Can we all just mind our own business out in public????

You guys old enough for these? Dug around in the attic and found these.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office statements of responding deputies just happening to come across an "armed man" while investigating a disturbance using "self defense" is misleading and unethical (not to mention total bs). Early witness reports state that the deputy entered an active duty Airmans' private residence without warrant or even identifying they were law enforcement and murdered that African-American serviceman in cold blood. Plain and simple. As a retired veteran, I am disgusted by this vague statement attempting to place blame on an ACTIVE DUTY patriot LEGALLY carrying his sidearm in his own apartment. This murder is unacceptable and unbelievably nausiating. They should have had that deputy in a cell yesterday. Instead, they give them a paid vacation while trying to cover it up and (obviously) make it seem like just a simple misunderstanding and the Airmen erred in having a legally owned gun in his own living room. This is the opposite of honor. Please don't let this stand. I know you probably don't know ROGER FORTSON. He didn't know you. But he did decide on his own accord to put his life on hold and on the line to fight for you, your family, and your freedoms. Take a minute to write and let your voice be heard for him.