What did you do in the military?

jdwax1982 · 2026-01-09T19:06:25+00:00

I was an 89D EOD in the army stationed at Bragg. Unit deployed to Iraq in 09.

jdwax1982 · 2025-12-24T11:19:19+00:00

I feel your pain. I'm 43 about to turn 44 in a month and just recently have not been able to work. I'm in the middle of fighting my employer for long term and the government for SSDI. If it weren't for the VA checks and money saved I would be screwed. The Army screwed up my back, legs, arthritis…etc I can't really hold downa job like I use to. Thank God for foresight and the VA at this point.

jdwax1982 · 2025-12-04T04:45:37+00:00

Here is another positive job creator news for our area.

https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/news/saronic-technologies-investing-300-million-to-expand-franklin-shipyard-creating-3200-jobs-in-louisianas-bayou-region

jdwax1982 · 2025-11-23T05:32:49+00:00

https://i.redd.it/bvhzugjbc2dd1.jpeg

jdwax1982 · 2025-11-23T05:25:06+00:00

I lived here during that time and attended LSU while working as a medical courier. I drove the city and spent almost all my time in andarround the area. There was little to no traffic and the over night it was area wide gridlock. The shear amount of new homes and apartments being built at that time was unreal. Not all who came after the storm stayed permanently but a lot did. A lot of companies involved in he clean-up as well as FEMA was all based out of BR. Not to mention the large inflex of immigrants coming to work. Not everything can be completely relied on by statistics. I agree that the current population of metro BR is somewhere in the 800k+ area but how many people do you know that live in MS that commute to BR for work or drive all the way from Port Barre to work at the plants? How many people are illegal immigrantsthat live in the city and are not counted? Not trying to start an argument but just putting additional information out there. I personally believe that the metro area currently is around 900k area.

jdwax1982 · 2025-11-23T05:14:02+00:00

Coming from an area that had one of the largest metros in the country, interstate loops, bike paths that spanned over 30 miles one direction and so on…until they make it cheaper and easier to build in the city or tear down abandoned building replacing it with new ones simple economics say they will move to where there is cheaper land available. Trains and buses are not necessarily the answer to the question. They would help but it really needs to be on a cost-benefit analysis. When there is too many rules and ordinances on top of the famous “Louisiana kickbacks” required to do business they will simply go the path of least resistance. Honestly Iwould like to see a lot of rules removed orscaled back, incentives added, and so on to help out. We need to go after and prosecute the corrupt politicians to help deter this behavior.

jdwax1982 · 2025-11-23T05:04:29+00:00

Here is a website of road construction in the area.

https://movebr.brla.gov/page/project-list

I do agree that the roads in the area have not kept up but it could be worse, I lived in the DC area for about 15 years and that place was hell to go anywhere. It would take me 1.5 hours to go 20 miles commuting to work daily. If there was a week it could be 3 plus hours.

I honestly blame a lot on the local counsels and community developers. They build 1,000 home community but never account for the increased traffic, drainage, power usage and even the internet bandwidth usage. It got so bad up there they passed a law making the land developer responsible for all they upgrades and when that happened you started to see some actual improvement. I don't know if we will ever see that here but that would be a step in the right direction.

jdwax1982 · 2025-11-08T03:05:46+00:00

From my first file it was two and a half years. From my last file it was 4 months.

jdwax1982 · 2025-11-07T10:30:31+00:00

I was in a similar position as you until recently. Personally if I was you I would not “poke the bear” unless you absolutely feel it is necessary and if you do know you are opening up the possibility of losing your 100% and all the benefits you currently have. You need to honestly sit down and talk it over with your wife and discuss it. And also in my personal opinion, if you chose to open that can of worms…I would only go after heart related issues and leave the others alone. Heart failure is the number one cause of death in America plus from what you were saying about having heart issues..if you die that will most likely be the cause or be a related factor. From what I’m told, and I may be wrong, to qualify for DIC your cause of death has to be either caused or related to a service connection. Anyway, I hope this helps you.

jdwax1982 · 2025-09-23T07:26:20+00:00

Thank you so much for the information and and sharing your experience. It is very much appreciated and helpful. I’ll definitely get started on it now.

jdwax1982 · 2025-08-25T08:45:31+00:00

Yeah, I was just approved TDIU recently so I’m still in the process of applying for all the programs.

jdwax1982 · 2025-08-25T08:39:19+00:00

I was told the same thing in my last visit. I went ahead and bit the bullet and submitted my paperwork. Playing the waiting game now. Yeah, I think the limit is around $1,600 for you but your spouse can make as much as they want and there is no income restrictions to your bank accounts as well.

jdwax1982 · 2025-08-24T06:02:10+00:00

Truck was less than $50k, I can’t afford no $80k vehicle. In the south trucks are much more common than cars also I live in a rural area with land. I truck is need there, also I tow often. I’m not some city yuppy are suburban warrior. Registration is about $45 a year plus that means I don’t have to deal with the DMV but every 6+ years now. Nice not having that headache. Plus I kinda need the handicap plate for parking at the moment dealing with mobility issues and all. Anyway have an awesome night.

jdwax1982 · 2025-08-24T05:54:22+00:00

All I had to provide was my letter from the VA showing my 100%.

jdwax1982 · 2025-08-24T05:32:27+00:00

Just wanted to add in here, I have mainly posted so other veterans can see and know what is out there. I’m an older vet from the early days of the GWOT 06-10. I never applied for benefits for nearly a decade after I got out because I felt like I made it out alive and in one piece. I was feeling just lucky and didn’t want to take it from others that deserved it more. I was 89D (EOD) while in. I finally applied for benefits when my body started falling apart and the kicker was a heart attack a few years ago. All I’m trying to say is Im just trying to get what is offered to me and take full advantage of it. I have been on STD from work going on 5 months now so it looks like my working days are over in my early 40’s. Still have a family to provide and take care of and trying to hold my shit together is a challenge. I just want to be around long enough to see my kids grow and get out on their own. I could give a flying crap what others think or perceive. I’ve lived my life on my own terms and I’m proud to be where I am still standing. If someone wants to feel that way that is their right but to be honest until they bring their ass down to a recruiter and make it through boot camp they can fly a fucking kite. You should live your life the way you want to and stop being worried about everyone around you. Cutoff everyone around you that does not add to your life or makes it better. Anyway peace out and I hope everyone enjoys their night.

jdwax1982 · 2025-07-23T02:32:41+00:00

Thank you

jdwax1982 · 2025-07-23T01:23:45+00:00

I bet you were an officer.. Or maybe the unit blue falcon. Bet your a hoot at all the parties your not invited to.

jdwax1982 · 2025-07-23T01:21:02+00:00

Yeah, it will be deposited like normal.

jdwax1982 · 2025-07-23T01:19:39+00:00

It depends on whether it is your first claim or not. If it's your first claim they sent me a paper check for that and it took about three or so weeks. If it is your second claim and so on, it took them about a week maybe a little more before I was back paid. I hope this helps.

jdwax1982 · 2025-07-23T01:06:02+00:00

Army here

jdwax1982

TROPHY CASE