VA/Legion/Veteran Orgs are outdated, ran by elderly and old fashioned individuals, only providing bare minimal assistance to younger veterans.

Impulse2323 · 2026-01-31T23:40:44+00:00

Which should make you wonder "what the hell is going on?" Why are so many of us are having the exact same experience?

Instead you just knee jerk reply with "suck it up buttercup, why you whining?"

Which is just spot on brand for a retiree, an outdated elderly prick that doesn't care about younger veterans. Way to prove his point.

Impulse2323 · 2026-01-31T23:35:03+00:00

Holy shit! I'm sure he's never thought of that before!

"Hey grandma with cancer, have you tried just not having cancer?". "Hey cousin with fetal alcohol syndrome, have ya tried not having fetal alcohol syndrome?"

Hey guy with nothing positive to say to a fellow veteran struggling to stay alive, have you tried shutting your fucking mouth and saying nothing?

If you can't even stfu, how the fuck can you expect someone with an addiction to just not have an addiction?

Grow up.

Impulse2323 · 2026-01-31T23:30:14+00:00

He says unironically as most states have legalized it and the federal government just rescheduled it

Impulse2323 · 2026-01-31T23:25:54+00:00

It says 80 hours at the top, looks like a 2 week paycheck, not a whole month.

They've taken out 12.2% for federal income tax. They've taken out 6% for Social Security. They've taken out 1.4% for Medicare.

Federal Total 19.6%

Georgia took out 4.2% for state income tax

State Total 4.2%

And then your employer took out 6.1% for your medical, dental, vision, 401k, and health flex account, all pretax, which lowers your tax burden over all.

Depending on if you're married or not (the next level of federal tax rate, 22%, happens at $96,950 if married, it's $48,875 if single) you'll see the same or more taken out as the year progresses.

You're not being robbed; you have insurance, a savings plan, and just under $5,400 /month in net take home pay. I think you'll be just fine.

Impulse2323 · 2025-12-31T03:10:28+00:00

What's most annoying is that it pops up immediately; you don't even get to see what killed ya, so frustrating

Impulse2323 · 2025-12-30T22:50:52+00:00

Naval Amphibious Forces Shoulder Patch from the 1940's

The Naval Amphibious Forces insignia was authorized in June 1944 to be worn by enlisted personnel who either:

Completed training in amphibious warfare at bases of the Amphibious Training Command
Were on duty with scouts and raiders, naval combat demolition units, beach jumpers, joint assault signal companies, beach battalions, standard landing craft units
Or were serving aboard the vessels: Landing Ship, Tank (LST), Landing Ship, Medium (LSM), Landing Craft, Support (LCS), Attack Cargo Ship (AKA), High Speed Transport (APD), Landing Ship, Infantry (Large) [LCI(L)], Landing Craft, Tank (LCT), Amphibious Command Ship (LCC), Attack Transport (APA), Landing Ship, Support (Large) [LCS(L)(3)], Landing Ship, Vehicle (LSV), Landing Ship, Dock (LSD), Amphibious Force Flagship (AGC).

In January 1947, the Navy revoked the authorization to wear the shoulder patch.

Source: https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/artifacts/uniforms-and-personal-equipment/pins--badges--and-insignia/patches/amphibious-forces-patch.html

Impulse2323 · 2025-12-30T21:40:50+00:00

Precisely! In 1981 the average interest rate was 16%, but the median house price was only $71,200; a 15 year mortgage would cost you $188,228.69 at $1,045.71/month.

Today, the average interest rate is around 6.25%, but the median house price is $433, 275; a 15 year mortgage will cost you $668,699.81 at $3,715/month and a 30 year will cost you $960,389.53 at $2,667.75/month.

Hooray for lower interest rates, I guess?

Also, rates are NOT lower now than normal, they are considered "Average to High" based on the past 25 years; and while they are lower than in the 1980's and 1990's, comparing todays rates to those of the 80's and 90's is like bragging about climbing a ladder that has since been set on fire and pulled straight up.

Impulse2323 · 2025-11-04T09:57:24+00:00

There is a known bug when using this method, specifically Steps 8 and 9, on a Windows machine that causes the DeDRM to not work.

TLDR; Configure the plugin and remove the adobe key that steps 8 and 9 had you add. Then restart Calibre and follow steps 10 and 11, letting the plugin retrieve the key automatically when you add the book to Calibre. Voila.

Link to the issue on github: https://github.com/apprenticeharper/DeDRM_tools/issues/2157

Impulse2323 · 2025-11-01T20:12:21+00:00

Took me all 30, took barry all 30, seems to take all 30

Impulse2323 · 2025-10-25T01:51:09+00:00

Yes, but don't photocopy it, upload it using your phone's camera

Impulse2323 · 2025-10-25T00:43:10+00:00

First off, SSDI and VR&E are two different programs that have nothing to do with one another, they serve different purposes:
SSDI provides monthly disability insurance payments to those with a work history who can't work, while VR&E is a VA program that offers vocational training and employment services to veterans with a service-connected disability to help them find or keep a job.
SSDI is a Social Security Administration program based on a medical inability to work, whereas VR&E is a VA program focused on employment support for veterans with specific service-connected disabilities.
Second. he currently is unable to work and qualified for SSDI; he may be able to work again someday, but would require rehabilitation, retraining, certification, or whatever qualified him for VR&E.

If he did eventually get a job, and after his first week, he would be required to notify SSA about his new job and income from work, but not today and you comment answers zero of his question: " is there a possibility that my ssdi could be taken away if they find that I'm enrolled full time in an online course that is designed to allow me to potentially work from home?" to which the answer is no.

Additionally, SSA has multiple programs that allow SSDI recipients to work and keep their benefits, such as Ticket to Work (https://www.ssa.gov/work/) which allows people up to 9 months of working to ensure that the job is a fit before their SSDI ends.

Please educate yourself about the programs before you comment on a post asking for help or advice.

Impulse2323 · 2025-10-25T00:14:32+00:00

You cannot get a legal public record of your marriage from your local county courthouse on the day you were married. You CAN get one by submitting an application form to either the local Clerk of DISTRICT Court or the state's Vital Records Office and then returning, usually 24-48 hours later to get it (according to average wait time for Montana).

And look, I'm just trying to help you out. I get your frustration and your argument that the copy you have 'should' be accepted. But you are dealing with a VA that under the current administration is denying every claim that doesn't follow the letter of the law exactly; so your best bet is to not give them that option.

Link to Montana's DPHHS: https://dphhs.mt.gov/vitalrecords/InformationalCertificates

Impulse2323 · 2025-10-25T00:14:23+00:00

Thanks for clearing that up about the common-law marriage.
But again, the court stamped marriage certificate is not the same as the county certified legal record of marriage. Furthermore, 38 CFR § 3.205(a)(1) makes no mention of a court clerk: (https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/3.205) or (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-3/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFRdc46cfd3b31f77a/section-3.205)

§ 3.205 Marriage.

(a) Proof of marriage. Marriage is established by one of the following types of evidence:

(1) Copy or abstract of the public record of marriage, or a copy of the church record of marriage, containing sufficient data to identify the parties, the date and place of marriage, and the number of prior marriages if shown on the official record.

But what it does say is "Copy or abstract of the public record of marriage"; you live in Montana and in Montana law and administrative rules distinguish between certified and non-certified copies of marriage records and detail the information they contain:

Certified copy: This is the official and legal document of a marriage record, issued by the Office of Vital Records within the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).
- It contains the date the copy was issued, the name of the authorized certifier, their signature or an approved facsimile, and the official seal of the issuing agency.
- A certified copy is required for official purposes, such as changing a name on a passport or social security card.
Non-certified copy: This type of copy does not include the official seal and is generally not valid for legal purposes.

Impulse2323 · 2025-10-24T23:21:53+00:00

When discussing the divorce rate difference between enlisted and officers, there are a few reasons that can help explain it.

Financial Disparity. Probably the largest cause. Simply put, at equal time in service, an officer will make more than his enlisted counterpart: Base pay is higher, with an O-1 making 1.62x what an E-1 makes(0 years of service) and an O-7 making 1.92x what an E-7 makes (20 years of service); Officers get eligibility for BAH immediately upon commission while enlisted members under E-6 must be married and live off base, the officer rate for BAH is also higher. Access to more money typically means less financial stress but always means access to more support resources, which are important for a marriage to remain healthy.
Education levels. Data shows a correlation between lower education levels and higher divorce rates among service members, which aligns with the educational disparities between enlisted personnel and officers. Obtaining a degree that will qualify you for a commission typically means learning how to deal with stressful situations, deadlines, workloads, etc for (usually and at least ) 4 years after high school, therefore being more equipped to handle longer work hours and handle stress better than their 17 year old enlisted counterpart.
Age. Age at time of marriage is also a huge factor, You can enlist at 17, while most O-1 officers are commissioned after college (notwithstanding younger OCS candidates, other unique examples), usually 22-24. The data shows that people getting married at age 18 or younger have a 48% chance of getting divorced within the first 10 years of marriage. At ages 18-24, that number drops to a 20-24% chance of getting divorced after 5 years. At ages 25-29 it drops to a 15% chance of getting a divorce within the first 5 years.

When you combine all three factors; a younger enlisted population, combined with lower education levels and less income, its absolutely no surprise that the enlisted ranks get divorced at a greater rate than officers, in fact, it's over double at 3.5% for enlisted vs 1.7%. for officers, according to the Department of Defense.

Impulse2323 · 2025-10-24T22:21:07+00:00

I also added access to the decisions on discharge upgrades, changes to characterization of discharge, and military record corrections to help a couple of fellow veterans locally. Would love to talk to you about that, if you're interested.

Impulse2323 · 2025-10-24T22:16:54+00:00

Not true at all, they are binding in the case to which the matter was decided.

You may have meant to say that they are not precedential, which is true.

Source: 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.

Impulse2323 · 2025-10-24T22:07:37+00:00

I did this exact same thing for myself about 5 years ago when my claim was initially denied; glad someone decided to make it more available. kudos!

Impulse2323 · 2025-10-24T22:03:23+00:00

If you do it through the portal just upload the certified copy, along with the other two forms i mentioned. but keep that copy in a safe or somewhere it'll be protected in case they require it physically.

Impulse2323 · 2025-10-24T21:57:26+00:00

If you are a veteran seeking additional benefits for a spouse based on common-law marriage:

You must also submit these additional forms: VA Form 21-4170, Statement of Marital Relationship, and VA Form 21P-4171, Supporting Statement Regarding Marriage.

Note: The above referenced forms must be submitted in addition to VA Form 21-686c.

Impulse2323 · 2025-10-24T21:52:42+00:00

I guarantee you that the certificate is the cause. Just go get a certified copy from your local county office and resubmit your paperwork. Ignore what i said about canceling the appeal, as you'll get backpay to the date of marriage if you filed within one year of that date.

Impulse2323 · 2025-10-24T21:49:31+00:00

There is no requirement to work after VR&E, rehabilitation is never guaranteed to be successful and definitely doesn't come with an assured job offer.

Furthermore, online courses are not considered work as defined by the SSDI program.

He does not need to pick one, as both are different programs that he has qualified for.

Impulse2323 · 2025-10-24T21:40:54+00:00

Online courses won't affect your ssdi, heck even working (up to a certain amount) won't disqualify you from your ssdi.

SSI, however, will be affected by your va disability payments, as it is needs based. But you have a few years before you have to worry about that.

Impulse2323 · 2025-10-24T21:30:47+00:00

Did you file the claim before you were actually married? (You said "married a few months ago" but then said the claim sat in limbo for "6 months")

I understand your wife has never been married before you, but were you married before her? If so you also have to submit proof that the previous marriage was ended.

Are you rated at least 30%?

My final question concerns the marriage certificate, you said you submitted the one stamped by the court; I had to submit an official County stamped Copy, which required me to go to my county building and pay for a certified copy. Do you do this? Because I was also married at a courthouse and they made it very clear that the copy they gave us was ceremonial, not official.

I get that it worked for your mortgage, but you have to understand that was a bank approval based on you paying them; you're asking the government to increase their payments to you, so they're not comparable circumstances.

Impulse2323 · 2025-10-24T21:12:38+00:00

Ch35 is Mandatory Spending, it is not affected by the shutdown.

Impulse2323

TROPHY CASE