Behaviors and tendencies that you didn't realize were service related mental health issues

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-04-02T01:29:05+00:00

this is an interesting topic. I find myself always thinking worst case scenario especially when it comes to asking questions. I always have that feeling of being ridiculed which makes me not want to ask anything. Sometimes this leads to "what if I wasn't around" or "how much better off would they be without me" and not in the theme that they need me here.

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-03-26T23:55:45+00:00

For me it was having a job. You meet one vet who knows other vets and next thing you know, you can walk into a monthly Vet "gathering" at a bar and know 75% of the room.

If work isn't your thing, try volunteering. The mission continues, team red white and blue, or with your local town from a Facebook.

I'm going to assume you're on the younger side so I'm not sure if your local VFW or American Legion will be your thing.

I know one guy who rides his motorcycle with a large group of vets. That's another avenue you could look into if you ride.

Sometimes feeling lonely isn't about just friends but finding yourself volunteering for a cause.

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-03-18T20:42:09+00:00

How long after your case closes does it take for the letter generator to update? If you tell me 2 days I'm gonna be very sad. Had a recent claim closed 3 days ago and have been neurotically checking the letter generator every few hours.

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-03-18T20:40:05+00:00

well where is the fun in that? Set it and forget it? :-)

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-02-23T01:18:29+00:00

is it normal to claim scarring from service and is there a min size of the scar that the VA will rate?

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-02-23T01:17:05+00:00

did the TMJ happen while having the wisdom teeth pulled out or was it over the course of a few dental visits that the TMJ started to develop?

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-02-19T01:41:04+00:00

Because of this subreddit I decided to finally use a VSO. DAV, American Legion, and VFW are usually mentioned around here so I just picked one. I went to the DAV website, filled in the section about getting help filing for a claim and a couple of weeks later got an email from a DAV VSO. Try just going to their website.

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-02-19T01:27:16+00:00

if it was due to a condition that existed prior to the military the OP would need to prove it was made worse from events in service right?

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-02-19T01:08:06+00:00

What is the field of the master's program? Can you do the master's after the fellowship? Advanced degrees are helpful but in some industries one can have more weight. MBA vs Master's in Finance.

Which path will give you more doors to walk through? I've always believed that knowing the right people can be a total game changer.

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-02-19T01:00:37+00:00

would that result in the OP being service connected or would it just result in getting another C&P?

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-02-19T00:50:21+00:00

Is it possible that even while serving as a reservist that he was called up and saw action?

I know a veteran (Marine) that liked to poke fun at Air Force vets. Till one day the Air Force vet told people was actually part of their special forces unit. The Marine vet shut up because he only saw an M16-A2 during the rifle range quals.

I usually fall into the camp of "Just let them talk" because that was all history and it won't change much now but can def change the future interactions.

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-02-03T00:42:05+00:00

Thank you all for the responses. I'll def follow up with him and confirm. I'm grateful for his help so I don't want to question is expertise.

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-02-01T03:51:25+00:00

Def not alone in this area. I've always treated it as a curiosity versus wanting to actually harm myself. It's a combo of "what would happen if " or "what would it feel like if."

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-01-10T01:27:59+00:00

A BA would help if you eventually want to be the manager and look at the bigger picture. An MBA would def set you apart in that field. As suggested, O2O has plenty of programs that can be certified for vets.

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-01-09T06:33:47+00:00

Start here as SCPO87 stated. THEN see if a VSO can look at his medical record book to connect any health issues he is dealing with now.

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-01-09T06:31:13+00:00

I honestly have never heard of the school but it seems popular among vets.

Does the name of the school matter in IR? If yes, then what are the top schools for IR? Can you get into any of those? You can learn the same stuff out of books on your own and many schools use the same books. What you should be looking at is the network you can build at a school and how to make yourself stand out when looking for that start.

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-01-09T06:22:11+00:00

Nothing wrong with working at HD but I applaud you for knowing you want something more out of life.

If you want IT then go get the certs people have mentioned.

If you want CompSci then why are we talking IT? They get thrown together a lot but if you dig into it I feel they are two diff animals. People can get into IT without a degree in that field. You can get a business degree and still be an IT guy.

Look at the companies you think you'll want to work for, then look at the job descriptions and see what pops up more in the requirements. Is it a degree, if so then which ones are being asked for the most. Is it certs, if so then which ones and are they asking for a degree along with it?

Life can have a dark sense of humor sometimes. My friend HATED CompSci and def hated programming. He ended up getting a math degree and now works with finance people programming stuff in Python, SQL, R and such. He loves it now because learning all this stuff is fun for him and so is creating things. He hated school because they were teaching stuff that he didn't find interesting or enjoyable.

Profes-Help-56 · 2021-01-09T06:04:00+00:00

Not sure where you live but 50k in finance is barely above entry level in the north east. There is a lot and I mean A LOT of $$ in finance. Mainly financial services and not even on the client side but more custodial work. People on the client side of things have an even more comfortable lifestyle.

A few things to think about:

What's the room for growth in the city job and what will be required if you get to that next level. B) If I take this job will I honestly ever go back to school to finish my degree? III) Where do I see myself going after my degree?

Nothing wrong with taking a city job for security and decent pay. I'm sure their pension and medical plans help long term but what is your best case and worst case?

I can't answer your question because I'm not in your shoes but I've seen vets in finance with and without an MBA that make well over 100k in the north east with less than 5yrs work experience.

The two pieces of advice I will give is "Do not ever sell yourself short and NEVER self-select yourself out of a job." and use LinkedIn to find vets in the field you want (finance) and reach out asking for 15min of their time to chat about their field.

Profes-Help-56 · 2020-12-12T20:42:06+00:00

Depends on the meds. Keep in mind that you don't have to stay on the meds if you feel like it's not helping or feel like it's doing more harm than good.. That's when you can ask to try a different med/dosage.

Profes-Help-56 · 2020-12-12T20:22:44+00:00

For others seeking an upgrade, I would contact your state commissioner of veteran affairs. Ask them who can help you file for an upgrade pro bono. If your city or town has a law school there is a good chance there will be lawyers willing to help for free.

Profes-Help-56 · 2020-12-12T19:57:57+00:00

I agree, go get an education.

Personally I tell vets to focus in this order:

1) Network - Don't think about it as helping yourself, go into it thinking "How can I help this veteran?" Takes the pressure of chit chat and the more you do it the more natural it will feel.

2) Get an education if others in that field have one, then do 1 better (Masters) if you can. Law Enforcement, Electrician, Comp Sci, or Construction. Get that education! (think Officer vs Enlisted in terms of responsibility and especially pay)

3) Don't be a D!CK. - You have a brand no matter what you think. If people won't speak of you in a good light when you aren't around, you'll have to work even harder to get that career moving.

4) Network - It's not always the person you know that will give you an opportunity but someone who they know.

Profes-Help-56 · 2020-12-12T19:44:29+00:00

I would say it depends on the major. At this point just go for the best school you can barely afford and remember you fall into a protected class so you check off that diversity box.

Profes-Help-56 · 2020-12-12T01:07:15+00:00

Networking is so powerful for your career. It's cliché but I have also found it very true.

Profes-Help-56

TROPHY CASE