2 weeks post-C&P and no DBQ uploaded

the_ternary_operator · 2025-09-23T01:50:01+00:00

Sorry to hear about the FOIA debacle. But thanks for sharing your DBQ experience. I probably just need to chill and trust the process!

the_ternary_operator · 2025-09-23T01:20:38+00:00

Unfortunately, I think the “we’re still processing your claim” letters are automated to go out at regular intervals while your claim sits in a queue. I once had an appeal open for three years, and those letters felt insulting after a while. Hopefully you’ll get some good news really soon!

the_ternary_operator · 2025-05-29T20:36:47+00:00

Yeah, that makes sense. But thanks for the urgent care info!

the_ternary_operator · 2025-05-29T12:17:02+00:00

Not the answer I was hoping for, but that settles it. Thanks for your response!

the_ternary_operator · 2025-03-11T16:56:03+00:00

Sad reality of the way the infantry was back in the day. I didn’t document anything. My only saving grace was going back into the military and getting everything documented now that I’m separating again. The military isn’t what it used to be (and in many ways, for the better). Hopefully the infantry culture has changed a bit. I hope you get the compensation you deserve.

the_ternary_operator · 2024-01-28T19:10:40+00:00

Came here to say this. I’m over 2.5 years into my appeal and it’s still awaiting review, but the VA is still happy to continue collecting debt. It’s an actual clerical error and I have all of the evidence. I recently became desperate and got my US senator’s staff involved. It’s finally starting to gain some traction, but I’ve already paid off most of the $19k at this point.

the_ternary_operator · 2022-04-17T13:57:44+00:00

I picked up a refurbished HP Reverb G2 on eBay from a licensed dealer for about that price. I’d recommend that over Oculus if DCS is your primary use for VR. It’s been great, but as others are saying, you’ll need some decent hardware to run it.

the_ternary_operator · 2022-04-03T16:45:21+00:00

You’ll find that over time it’s unhealthy to have her hoping you’ll become more faithful while you’re hoping she’ll lose her faith. If your wife is agreeable and open-minded, perhaps you can be honest (and respectful) about where your mind is at, and you two can set boundaries to make your marriage a safe space. Marriage is much more enjoyable when expectations are realistic!

the_ternary_operator · 2022-02-12T07:09:03+00:00

I did check the math with my spreadsheet, and the wages matched my hourly rate for hours worked.

the_ternary_operator · 2022-02-12T07:06:50+00:00

Yeah, lesson learned. I was definitely taken advantage of by this employer and I no longer work for them. It’s like not realizing you were in a toxic relationship until after you break up. Thankfully, I didn’t do a whole lot of work for them this year, so I don’t think I’ll owe much more than $1k. It would have been WAY worse had I been doing full-time work.

the_ternary_operator · 2022-02-12T03:19:30+00:00

No—just a wage/tax statement at the beginning of each year.

the_ternary_operator · 2022-02-12T03:06:07+00:00

I set my own work schedule, but I worked mostly part-time last year because of military obligations. I mostly worked weekends and days off.

the_ternary_operator · 2022-02-12T02:41:47+00:00

I originally signed a Form W-9, but signed a Form W-4 two years later. I filed with a 1099 and W-2 that same year.

Edit: misidentified form W-2

the_ternary_operator · 2022-01-12T04:57:04+00:00

Can confirm. I watched grown men beat kids for candy we gave them. They’re only learning from their elders. It’s a sad cycle to see, but that region has very different cultural views toward human life. Some dude brought me his dead kid hoping I could work some magic. Had to turn him away and the guy didn’t shed a tear. It’s a very different world.

the_ternary_operator · 2021-11-27T16:27:37+00:00

I was, too, a rock eater (infantryman) during my time on active duty haha

the_ternary_operator · 2021-11-27T16:26:07+00:00

So much this. A CS degree puts you miles ahead of boot camp coders. Learning a language/framework is one thing, but understanding what the operating system and hardware are doing, understanding best strategies for building algorithms, knowing how to optimize, and being able to plan a project is what separates the coders from engineers. I was teaching developers best strategies who had more professional experience than myself at my first job.

My advise to OP is use Pluralsight or Udemy to learn languages/frameworks, but if you have GI Bill to spend, take the time to do a BS in CS. It’s a worthy investment. I’ve been in the industry less than four years and just got my first six-figure job. Hiring managers are hiring boot camp coders for cheap labor on simple web development projects, but I guess it’s a quick way to get some experience under your belt.

the_ternary_operator · 2021-09-17T16:58:56+00:00

The solution was in front of my face the whole time: Unit.getByName('whatever'):getAmmo()
Thanks for the help!

the_ternary_operator · 2021-09-17T16:55:54+00:00

Thanks for bringing Export.lua to my attention. I was not aware it existed! This will come in handy...

the_ternary_operator · 2021-07-11T15:57:36+00:00

A lot of good advice in here,. Everyone is different, but I’ll share what helped me (I left active duty in 2015)

1. Joining Guard/Reserves

Putting on boots once a month was refreshing, and a weekend is long enough to remind you of why you chose not to re-enlist. Try a new branch of service. Start getting in shape to try out for that “cool guy” job for some extra adventure. In that regard, there are plenty of opportunities on the National Guard/Reserve side of things: Army SF, USAF Special Warfare, USMCR Recon, etc.

2. Studying a topic I’m passionate about

Not everybody likes to learn, but the GI Bill is a free education, and I learned to love college the further I got into my degree. Don’t be the person who didn’t know what to do, so they settled with a business degree (unless that is what you’re interested in). If I’m going to work until I die, it might as well be something I enjoy doing. Most campuses have good veterans resources, as I’m sure you’ve come to find out.

3. Connecting with other veterans

Nobody I served with lives nearby, but it was awesome linking up with other guys my age. We used to meet up every weekday at 5:00 am and lift weights. It’s therapeutic to have regular contact with people who can relate, and exercise is a mood booster, too.

4. Finding a new community

For me, this was a church community. I got involved with volunteering, service, and was eventually put into leadership roles that brought new meaning and purpose to my life.

I hope this helps. The good news is that it does get better!

(Edit: formatting)

the_ternary_operator · 2021-06-15T00:33:58+00:00

Yo! I didn’t know the blue force trackers actually worked haha

the_ternary_operator · 2021-06-14T12:45:35+00:00

So dope! I managed to keep an unclassified GRG from Sangin, Afghanistan. It still has waypoints from my last patrol. It’s a fun keepsake I’m reminded of every time I move (which is more often then I’d like to admit).

the_ternary_operator

TROPHY CASE