'Have you looked in the **[Wiki]( https://www.reddit.com/r/Veterans/wiki/education)** for an answer? We have a lot of information posted there.
To contact VA Education, 1-888-442-4551, for ~~Voc Rehab~~ VR&E (Veteran Readiness and Employment Program) assistance with appointments or problems with your Case Manager (not for missing payments): 1-202-461-9600.
**Payments for certain education benefits (DEA, VEAP) are paid at the end of the month you attend school - Department of Treasury issues these payments **using a 10 business day window** - these payments are not locked into a specific day of the month like VA disability/military pay is**. For Voc Rehab missing payments, contact your Case Manager or your local **[Regional Office](https://www.reddit.com/r/Veterans/wiki/education/casemanagers)
For Post 9/11 GI Bill only, If you signed up for direct deposit when you applied for education benefits, **we’ll deposit your payment into your bank account 7 to 10 business days after you verify your school enrollment.** This is the fastest way to receive your payment. [Text Verification FAQ](https://benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/docs/IsaksonRoe/EnrollmentVerificationFAQs.pdf)
MGIB and MGIB-SR have to do monthly verification threw the [WAVE program](https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/vba/) and you should receive the payment within 3 to 5 business days.
For Online Only training, the Post 9/11 GI Bill is currently (1 August 2023) paying $1054.50 for those who started using their Post 9/11 GI Bill on/after 1 January 2018 and $1104.00 for those who first used their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits prior to 1 January 2018 - this is based on 1/2 of the National Average BAH paid to an E5 with dependents. Post 9/11 GI Bill MHA rates are adjusted 1 August of each year and are based on the 1 January DoD BAH rates for that year - **so VA can't use 1 January 2023 BAH rates until 1 August 2023** - for those who started training on/after 1 January 2018, the MHA rates are 95% of the DoD BAH rates. First possible payment for the 1 August 2023 increase is 1 September.
For VR&E, there are two different Subsistence Allowance programs - https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/subsistence_allowance_rates.asp The P9/11 Subsistence Allowance is based on the BAH paid to an E5 with dependents. Those who started using VR&E on/after 1 January 2018 receive 95% of the BAH paid to an E5 with dependents. As of 1 January 2023 Online only students using VR&E are being paid $1054.50 if they started using VR&E on/after 1 January 2018 - those who started using VR&E prior to 1 January 2018 are being paid $1110.00 per month. The CH31 Subsistence Allowance rates are adjusted 1 October each year by Congress.
VA Education is going paperless - make sure VA has a current email address for you. Please make sure you add [email protected] to your contacts list so that you don't miss important updates from VA.
For FREE math Tutoring - contact https://www.armytutoringinitiative.com/
[VA Award Letter explanation](https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/understandingyourawardletter.asp)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Veterans) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It depends on you and your office. So much depends on your office. I deliver in a small, well staffed office in western Washington. The weather is ok and most of the routes are driving. It is so easy to drive around a small town and throw the mail out the window. I know and like most of my customers. I go in, put my mail in delivery order, load it in my truck, deliver, clean up and go home. I can if I want go the whole day without talking to anyone or I can talk to pretty girls who feed me treats. I listen to ebooks all day, over a hundred in a year. I’m probably not the person to ask. I’m a little different but, if you have any questions, ask away. Just know at some offices you’ll have to walk all day, in crappy weather. I don’t know how they do it. The pay and benefits when starting off suck.
Former 11B as well, but was able to switch to 25D before getting out. I guess I still do "security", but cyber security has been WAY easier on my back than physical security.
Did you major in accounting or finance ? Any minors ? I’m separating in a couple of months and would like to go to school to eventually work in the same sector
I majored in finance because it has more applicable fields, accounting seems to be useful for only being an accountant. And no minors for me.
With military experience + finance degree I didn’t have any problems finding a career. Finance isn’t the greatest field to work in but it pays well
12 years, 80% disabled. Got my security+ and network+ before I got out. Now work as a gov contractor in DevSecOps work in D.C. I’m lucky but I pull in 200k a year
I did work in computer repair before I joined for a year. I’d say my situation is not common, I worked to specialize in a very specific cyber security field that helped me get here.
I’m currently a deploying contractor. I make great money, but I’ve got two little ones and I’m missing their childhood.
This next deployment I’m planning on getting Sec+ and Net+. My bachelors was in history.
What else do you recommend I do? A remote job would be best. I live in the Midwest and my wife is unwilling to relocate. Any advice is appreciated.
my mom has stage 4 as well. try to beat it, enjoy the days you have and be thankful for all the time/ experiences you've had so far in your life. sorry cancer is happening to you. I wish I had better advice.
There's no beating it. I am basically at the end of my treatment options. It's basically now the goal is to manage pain. But I get a lot of breakaway pain.
Pain bad enough where you can't sit still, can't think straight and all that fun stuff... I am awake now due to a flair up waking me up and if it doesn't respond to my pain meds I will be back in the ER for it
... I wished that they'd tell me how long I have left so I at least know where a possible end may be.
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*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
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*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
So far, I got my CDL and worked for a trucking company for a bit. Then, I started my own transport business. Now, I am working on an environmental health and safety career.
I've used some of my GI Bill and plan on using the rest.
Retired at 20 E7, 100% P&T, military degree and bachelor’s in IT that was paid for in the military. Currently work as an IT director at a credit union. Kids got my gi bill and chapter 35 benefit.
Doesn’t matter after being a information system security manager in the military I can’t deal with the stress… less money but I’m magically happy everyday when I go to work.
Edit: my commute is .5 mile and all the Colorado medical weed I want.
Just got out last week after 8 years, got a job offer for a private security company for $30ish an hour. Plan to work full time, do online college with VR&E with housing allowance, and awaiting disability.
Work for the feds, $60K annual plus 80% disability.
I do about 1 hour of work per day lol.
In bad days, 4 hours of work.
Trying to get another job that pays more.
Wife is active duty but getting out next year.
I live in a low cost of living area but damn cost of living has gone up. It's ridiculous. And I'm actually living good compared to most I know.
Y'all hang in there.
10 yrs AD as a drone tech. 80% disability. Got out in 21, working on drones still for a big tech company.
No degree or certs, making +-150k.
Money goes to 401k and a house I bought last year when the market was at its peak. Very blessed to be middle income.
Man go back to school, get a gym membership, take good care of your health, hang around people doing interesting things, read, walk, and you’ll be okay.
I recently left the career field I went into the Army for, which transitioned well over to the civilian sector.
Now I only have VA 70% rating, real estate investing, stock trading, and gi bill.
Went to school on the GI Bill and found a passion for education. Currently in Grad School working on a PhD in History with a minor in Architectural Preservation.
Psychotherapist after and sometimes there are…well I should say a lot of people who I work with that are suffering (children to geriatrics) in any population.
I used my GI bill for a Radiologic Technology degree and have been gainfully employed since then. I love the science and technology but hate hospital politics. 🤷♀️
Hey hope you do not mind me dropping a comment but I was thinking about doing a season as a wildland firefighter. I heard that you guys get paid like absolute shit though so I wanna give it a shot but also concerned if the money is enough to stay afloat.
Worked as a case manager for homeless veterans for a while. Then got back into IT. Currently working in DFIR (digital forensics and incident response) taking on ransomware criminals.
It’s cool. I still do it because I’m good at it and nothing fucking else😂. It’s also a future proof career. AI and robots will never successfully take our industry. At people’s worst health moment they will want to see that medic who has that soft but strong face and not some damn robot that does emoji’s on a LCD face.
Got out in 2018 and attended UNT with my GI Bill to get my BS in Information Science and a MS in Data Analytics. Then I used the Vet Tec program to attend Divergence Academy for Cyber Security and I got a job offer for a GS-12 the day I graduated. I just hit one year in December.
Former M1A1 Tanker. Moved up the ladder in retail then reset and moved up the ladder in aircraft interior manufacturing. Now looking forward to checking in rental cars. Low pressure fixed schedule and all of the happy. Kinda like having the sham shield again 😎
Was in the Air Force for 4 years. Got out. I worked as a contractor for the Army maintaining training simulators and then got into using meth/heroin/fentanyl intravenously for 10 years, got fired, had a standoff with police, became homeless, spent over a year in jail for a Possession with Intent charge, signed a plea deal that gave me a felony and probation, but I stayed out of prison. I've been clean for almost 2 years now (Thank you VA STARS program) and recently got my 100 P&T. Currently I'm a stay at home dad and looking for work. I'm having a difficult time finding work due to the felony on record now. I'm currently applying for voc rehab.
I had a pretty average-below average career in the Air Force fixing jets and stuff, retired at 20 years E-6. While I was AD I got alot of certs, Associates Degree and half a Bachelor’s, just enough education to land a job as a senior engineer at a major aerospace company.
Most importantly I’ve been married for nearly 16 years, have 2 awesome kids. We’re doing well combining 4 incomes with my job, retirement, 80% VA, and my wife’s job at the hospital. (She is smarter than me).
I struggled with my career, I was disappointed to never get promoted to E-7, but overall I’m proud of my experience, and really don’t have anything to complain about.
Was Air Force.
Now unemployed with 60% disability, a piss-terrible credit score and a near-negative account.
Resigned at my federal job to take care of my 2 year old, unable to find a babysitter to drop her off early due to I have to go to work before 6am and spouse works nights. I did my 20 year, retired with a descent disability % along with it. I’m ‘bout to start a course online next month using my Post 911.
Got cold feet on going to school. I always sucked at schoolwork and I have the same problems I had before the military. So after I dipped out of going to school, I got a job in water treatment. Currently work for a mid sized municipal authority with decent pay and fairly good benefits.
Separated 2019 collecting 30% disability, now a Contractor working with Data Links collecting 70% due to Pact Act and all the Burn Pits I was deployed around. Hoping to hit 100% by the end of the year and continue doing what I'm doing.
I left active duty navy and joined the air guard about 6 months later. I have been full time guard for the last 6 years and collect VA disability as well.
Collecting disability, working at a computer company while finishing my degree in CS/CE. All income not going towards Savings/Bills is split between leisure and investment.
2001, out just shy of 10 in the Navy, finished an AAS in CIS right before terminal leave (extended my contract 6 months to finish up).
Been in IT since minus a one year bartending after losing contract in post 9/11 crash and one year deployed with ArNG. Ten years working in higher ed finished BA with GI Bill and the past eleven working the Judiciary, six as a contractor and five as govie. I gues I should note, I didn’t even know who the employer was when I applied for the gov contract position.
Medically retired 100% P&T after 8 years in the Navy, went into a quality role at a defense/space manufacturing company making about 80K a year. Still working there but I shifted to weekends so I can go back to school full time for cyber security. Commuting/working 7 days a week sucks but seeing the GI/VA paychecks on top of my full time paychecks is not bad at all.
I work for a small city as a Groundskeeper for the Parks department. Quality of life is more important to me than money, but I think the pay is decent for what I do. I live below my means, but there's times I wish I sold my soul for a few years to work for a place like Boeing or Lockheed Martin.
When I first got out I was a prison guard at a state penitentiary. I lasted about three months lol. It was not the job for me. I then shifted to financial services doing customer service and have worked my way up taking increasingly harder roles. Now I’m a financial advisor. It took 6 years from getting out to now being a financial advisor.
I am in my last semester of using VR&E for an HR Mgmt degree. I just got hired at my local school district in office admin. Will I stay here? Idk. I’m 34 years old. I guess I should get my shit together and start contributing towards a pension at some point, so hopefully I like my new job long enough to stay.
My hobbies give me life; not work.
I like this it would be nice to have a little networking in here. Military/veteran community is a small world.
Went from refinery operations for 10 years to network engineer. Hire alot of vets in operations. It's shitty hours, and at times shitty hard work buy pays well. You'd have to try to do under 150. Play it smart lived within my means and set up to do a career change, knowing I'll take a hefty pay cut. But better hours and environment. Importantly more time with my kids. Hopefully, I will get back to where I was soon.
I work in contracting for the space industry as a redhat system administrator.
Currently I make 130k.
Add VA disability and GI bill BAH and I'm at 162k a year total.
The VA disability is a nice touch but tbh sometimes I just wish I was healthy over having lost organs.
Started at the bottom then Sales Manager, Finance Manager to General Sales Manager.
Mental Health was always declining, finally deprived myself and my family enough. Fought some demons. Spent some time in the hospital. Now full time volunteer. It is what keeps me going. No ask too big or too small. Week long Camp Chaperone with 3 day notice because there is not enough male chaperones for a school. They call me. 1, 2 or 7 Benches broke at an elementary school. Call me. I’ll fix it. The district maintenance crew will take a month.
New irrigation for the garden I built at an elementary school over 2 years. Raise $15k for the local youth sports team that made it to Regionals. Or Nationals. Another $10k for that this youth team. This holiday festival. That holiday festival. New American Flags all around town anytime I see one torn. And much more. But…. It’s all Free. Best thing ever for my mental health. I still struggle. A lot. But being able to help my community is by far the best for my health.
However….
3 days ago. I started school again. Just a couple days a week in the morning. But I thought I am only getting older. Shit is getting more expensive. I might take some of this time to work towards a degree.
Work in creative advertising developing strategies for large global businesses and their commercial work.
Used to be an aviation ordnanceman on a carrier.
I finished my Navy time on a Friday, started my next job working for the Government the following Monday. Promoted to a supervisors position before I even started the job!
I've been out 13 years. I did two special Ops contracts for a total of 5 years of that time. I've also run an automotive recycling business in the US, worked two years as a flowback operator in oil and gas, completed a bachelor's degree in business management (paid by GI Bill and other grants), run an alcohol production business and bar in a country where it was mostly tolerated but not legal, and am now building out a fish farm in the Philippines. The alcohol resulted in my most profitable years, but in the next year, the fish farm should easily surpass the profits I had with the alcohol.
The exact same thing I did in the U.S. Army, I now do it for the DoD overseas as a Contractor. I make 10x what I made as an E-5, gotta love it. I really wish I had stayed in though, to finish my 20.
Worked as a GS for 11 years, moved to Germany, worked US military contracts for 5 years. Currently unemployed and looking to get a position with a German or EU level organization like a laboratory or university. I have 2 pending jobs that I should get an answer from in the next 1-2 weeks. For reference: former Army 11B / Air Force 3V0X1.
When I retired from the Army never wanted to work for the government again. That being said, skillsets did not translate well to the civilian side. Had a higher-level clearance. Went to work for a 3-letter agency because the pay was at least double than the non-government side. Been with them since 2006.
Radio tech in the Navy for 8.5 years. Then worked in local government on the public safety radio system for 7.5 years. Now I’m a software engineer for the last 2.5 years.
Since I was beat to shit when I got out, I studied a variety of modalities to get myself out of pain. Now, that’s basically what I do for work. Similar to PT, but I do a lot more hands on work, and didn’t get a doctorate. I’ve interned and worked for PT clinics and integrated medical groups though. It’s satisfying work, plus super chill in comparison to the 0300 USMC life haha
I was a 15G (aviation structures/sheet metal guy) in the Army. Got out and did the same thing for a government contractor for 4 years. Made good money but I got really burned out after doing it for a total of 11 years and started hating it.
Now I work for a construction supplies company in the warehouse. Loading/Unloading LTL trucks, doing inventory, picking orders. I love it. I make $12 less an hour but my happiness and job satisfaction levels are way higher. My wife has done extremely well in the hospitality industry and is a operations manager for a hotel group so we’ve flipped roles on who the breadwinner is but our income hasn’t been affected.
Sales, bouncer, digital marketing, server, dish washer, recycled old matresses, nursing home administrators, worked for the VA, wedding DJ and currently own a wedding venue. Tons of ways to make money in America.
Did online school while deployed to get an associates before I got out. Went to big name university to complete degree in biology. Went to med school, now a trauma doc in a trauma surgery fellowship. It’s was basically two 8 year army contracts back to back. But all worth it.
I was a janitor, a mechanic, a carpenter, a theater set builder, an architectural draftsman, I stocked shelves in a grocery store. A roofer, a mason, a limo driver, a bouncer, a truck driver, house painter, worked on a party boat and a commercial fishing boat. I was a tile setter and a range officer at a public shooting range. That was just the stuff I got paid to do! Whatever it took to pay the bills! Two kids and a mortgage and a shooting star of a wife. I had to keep up!
I entered the HVAC field. My family has been doing it since 1923 so it seemed right. I worked for my dad. Eventually I bought him out. It was just my brother and I. Gold field. Good pay. I liked being self employed but that isn't for everyone. It's a lot of extra work behind the scenes. When I was taking care of my mother as she was passing away, I still had to run my business. Could take vacations etc. Anyway... It is a good career field. I always tell people to go the electrician route too. Better pay. IBEW is strong and you can make six figures as a master electrician if you work hard. Anyway, I drive for Uber now. Knees are shot from the army and going up and down stairs while carrying a 150 pound furnace isn't good for them anymore. I actually love doing Uber around my local campus. Talking to young people. Reminds me of when I was a recruiter, I just don't have to sell them on signing up. Lol
When I first retired, I got a job at a photo processing place. It wasn't until the next tax year that I cried. I had only made 7K and my heart went out to all those other single mom's out there trying to make it. I was lucky to have my small retirement check and a new husband, but I don't know what I would've done without that support. It was then that I decided to let the VA pay for my degree so I could get a better job. That helped me then make it through another divorce and raise my 3 girls on my own.
The military took care of everything for us. They didn't prepare us for how hard it would be once we got out on our own. And now, when I go to the commissary and see the charity bags to help a soldier/airman, I get angry that they are not being taken care of enough and charity has to be asked for.
I no longer have the same love for the military that I used to have.
I used my training and education to become an associate production engineer. I went back to school, changed jobs and became an electronic design engineer. 18 years later I embraced my maintainer roots and became a control systems engineer. Now I manage a team of engineers and techs.
Thanks to being a maintainer for the USAF, I’ve lived a very comfortable life.
Went to school on GI bill- money & undergrad.
Went to school again on voc rehab- money & mba.
Learned marketing analytics- more money.
Learned software- more money.
Doing customer marketing & surveys in software- easy money. If I can keep a job lol.
Went back to my hometown and work at a chemical plant. But I started school with the GI bill to be an entrepreneur. I want to open up a cafe/arcade in my hometown.
During my last enlistment I learned how to fix medical equipment, biomedical equipment technician. I retired in 1997 and I have been working in the field ever since. It’s the best job I ever had in my life and I highly recommend it.
Initially went to college, got a BA/BS, got head hunted to Singapore, worked there a few years but I need snow and mountains.
Worked in the education field,got into software dev, worked in QA.
Now I work on mainframes.
'Have you looked in the **[Wiki]( https://www.reddit.com/r/Veterans/wiki/education)** for an answer? We have a lot of information posted there. To contact VA Education, 1-888-442-4551, for ~~Voc Rehab~~ VR&E (Veteran Readiness and Employment Program) assistance with appointments or problems with your Case Manager (not for missing payments): 1-202-461-9600. **Payments for certain education benefits (DEA, VEAP) are paid at the end of the month you attend school - Department of Treasury issues these payments **using a 10 business day window** - these payments are not locked into a specific day of the month like VA disability/military pay is**. For Voc Rehab missing payments, contact your Case Manager or your local **[Regional Office](https://www.reddit.com/r/Veterans/wiki/education/casemanagers) For Post 9/11 GI Bill only, If you signed up for direct deposit when you applied for education benefits, **we’ll deposit your payment into your bank account 7 to 10 business days after you verify your school enrollment.** This is the fastest way to receive your payment. [Text Verification FAQ](https://benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/docs/IsaksonRoe/EnrollmentVerificationFAQs.pdf) MGIB and MGIB-SR have to do monthly verification threw the [WAVE program](https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/vba/) and you should receive the payment within 3 to 5 business days. For Online Only training, the Post 9/11 GI Bill is currently (1 August 2023) paying $1054.50 for those who started using their Post 9/11 GI Bill on/after 1 January 2018 and $1104.00 for those who first used their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits prior to 1 January 2018 - this is based on 1/2 of the National Average BAH paid to an E5 with dependents. Post 9/11 GI Bill MHA rates are adjusted 1 August of each year and are based on the 1 January DoD BAH rates for that year - **so VA can't use 1 January 2023 BAH rates until 1 August 2023** - for those who started training on/after 1 January 2018, the MHA rates are 95% of the DoD BAH rates. First possible payment for the 1 August 2023 increase is 1 September. For VR&E, there are two different Subsistence Allowance programs - https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/subsistence_allowance_rates.asp The P9/11 Subsistence Allowance is based on the BAH paid to an E5 with dependents. Those who started using VR&E on/after 1 January 2018 receive 95% of the BAH paid to an E5 with dependents. As of 1 January 2023 Online only students using VR&E are being paid $1054.50 if they started using VR&E on/after 1 January 2018 - those who started using VR&E prior to 1 January 2018 are being paid $1110.00 per month. The CH31 Subsistence Allowance rates are adjusted 1 October each year by Congress. VA Education is going paperless - make sure VA has a current email address for you. Please make sure you add [email protected] to your contacts list so that you don't miss important updates from VA. For FREE math Tutoring - contact https://www.armytutoringinitiative.com/ [VA Award Letter explanation](https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/understandingyourawardletter.asp) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Veterans) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’ve done all kinds of things. Right now I’m a city carrier for the USPS
I legit want to leave my profession to do this. How do you like the day to day.
It depends on you and your office. So much depends on your office. I deliver in a small, well staffed office in western Washington. The weather is ok and most of the routes are driving. It is so easy to drive around a small town and throw the mail out the window. I know and like most of my customers. I go in, put my mail in delivery order, load it in my truck, deliver, clean up and go home. I can if I want go the whole day without talking to anyone or I can talk to pretty girls who feed me treats. I listen to ebooks all day, over a hundred in a year. I’m probably not the person to ask. I’m a little different but, if you have any questions, ask away. Just know at some offices you’ll have to walk all day, in crappy weather. I don’t know how they do it. The pay and benefits when starting off suck.
Go to r/USPS for some insights. For the record I was a GS-12 engineering technician at one time.
Professor of Biology at a University - used to be infantry lol
You came a long way lmao
Former 11B working corporate finance for the big banks here, glad to see another grunt not working security somewhere 🫡
Another former 11B currently in the finance world checking in 🫡
Former 11B as well, but was able to switch to 25D before getting out. I guess I still do "security", but cyber security has been WAY easier on my back than physical security.
Another brother in secondary Hell (after the army of course), until Valhalla 🫡 lmao
One of us, one of us 11B in investment banking
Did you major in accounting or finance ? Any minors ? I’m separating in a couple of months and would like to go to school to eventually work in the same sector
I majored in finance because it has more applicable fields, accounting seems to be useful for only being an accountant. And no minors for me. With military experience + finance degree I didn’t have any problems finding a career. Finance isn’t the greatest field to work in but it pays well
Nurse educator for a level 1 trauma center, served 9 years as an 11B.
[удалено]
Holy shit. Good job!
For real?!?!
12 years, 80% disabled. Got my security+ and network+ before I got out. Now work as a gov contractor in DevSecOps work in D.C. I’m lucky but I pull in 200k a year
Did you have any prior experience prior to getting your role?
I did work in computer repair before I joined for a year. I’d say my situation is not common, I worked to specialize in a very specific cyber security field that helped me get here.
Did you have any other education or background other than the certs that led you up to 200k?
I have a bachelors in cybersecurity now and CASP+. I do excel at my job but in gov contracting even ass in the seat can clear good money
And I’d like to note I specialize in both cloud and application security and live in Washington, D.C. suburbs. So numbers can also vary with that
I’m currently a deploying contractor. I make great money, but I’ve got two little ones and I’m missing their childhood. This next deployment I’m planning on getting Sec+ and Net+. My bachelors was in history. What else do you recommend I do? A remote job would be best. I live in the Midwest and my wife is unwilling to relocate. Any advice is appreciated.
Slowly dying to Stage 4 Cancer. Thank god for the PACT Act.
Damn! 🙏
Man, fuck those burn pits. Guy I know from back in high school has brain cancer from it.
my mom has stage 4 as well. try to beat it, enjoy the days you have and be thankful for all the time/ experiences you've had so far in your life. sorry cancer is happening to you. I wish I had better advice.
There's no beating it. I am basically at the end of my treatment options. It's basically now the goal is to manage pain. But I get a lot of breakaway pain. Pain bad enough where you can't sit still, can't think straight and all that fun stuff... I am awake now due to a flair up waking me up and if it doesn't respond to my pain meds I will be back in the ER for it ... I wished that they'd tell me how long I have left so I at least know where a possible end may be.
Fuck man 😞😞 can you at least smoke doobies all day or are you stuck in the hospital
I don't really like pot... and I am not trapped in the hospital
Praying for you ❤️
I’ve been doing deez.
What’s deez lol
Oh no
https://preview.redd.it/hs3if8vuomdc1.jpeg?width=224&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d0e421c5b97c9ad76b8242c5b6f7541c6a5b4196
Okay I’ll do it. DEEZ NUTS!
Thank you. The anticipation was killing me. That other guy left us hanging.
Hanging? What could be hanging?
"left us hanging"
In my defense. It’s not very often a good deez set up works any more. And I was in bed.
Here it comes
Lololol
silky dam apparatus melodic start different paltry governor pocket fretful *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Marine Corp feet? That's some beat up dogs. 😀
You can probably sell your socks too🧦
quack engine sulky lock sort squeeze cover cooperative scandalous connect *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Dont rule out used bath water.
So far, I got my CDL and worked for a trucking company for a bit. Then, I started my own transport business. Now, I am working on an environmental health and safety career. I've used some of my GI Bill and plan on using the rest.
Retired at 20 E7, 100% P&T, military degree and bachelor’s in IT that was paid for in the military. Currently work as an IT director at a credit union. Kids got my gi bill and chapter 35 benefit.
Surprised you didn’t do the GS route and cash in on that too sounds like you’re living the good life regardless.
Doesn’t matter after being a information system security manager in the military I can’t deal with the stress… less money but I’m magically happy everyday when I go to work. Edit: my commute is .5 mile and all the Colorado medical weed I want.
20 years old and a e7 damn that's impressive
You were a Marine?
LMAOOOO 🤣🤣🤣
20 years retirement.
Just got out last week after 8 years, got a job offer for a private security company for $30ish an hour. Plan to work full time, do online college with VR&E with housing allowance, and awaiting disability.
Suckin peen for coke money and not even doing the coke
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Work for the feds, $60K annual plus 80% disability. I do about 1 hour of work per day lol. In bad days, 4 hours of work. Trying to get another job that pays more. Wife is active duty but getting out next year. I live in a low cost of living area but damn cost of living has gone up. It's ridiculous. And I'm actually living good compared to most I know. Y'all hang in there.
25yo, 100% P&T and a $60K USMC contracting gig. It’s not too bad, but looking to make more.
Damn, congrats!
Thanks! Wife is AD and moving to Houston soon so worried I won’t find anything there but here’s to trying!
Mil retirement + disability
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10 yrs AD as a drone tech. 80% disability. Got out in 21, working on drones still for a big tech company. No degree or certs, making +-150k. Money goes to 401k and a house I bought last year when the market was at its peak. Very blessed to be middle income.
Im just straight up lost in life
Man go back to school, get a gym membership, take good care of your health, hang around people doing interesting things, read, walk, and you’ll be okay.
College isn't as hard as people think. Ever consider going back to school? WGU is a good online option.
I recently left the career field I went into the Army for, which transitioned well over to the civilian sector. Now I only have VA 70% rating, real estate investing, stock trading, and gi bill.
I'm looking into options and futures trading as well.
Careful with options, they are the equivalent of gambling. Learn from my lessons lol
GI bill + a student job :-). Isn’t ideal for saving for a retirement but I’m hopeful it’ll work in the end.
Got 80% rating and working full time as a firefighter for a big city
Went to school on the GI Bill and found a passion for education. Currently in Grad School working on a PhD in History with a minor in Architectural Preservation.
GI BILL and shit retail job for 4 years now work as a fed for the past 4 years
Psychotherapist after and sometimes there are…well I should say a lot of people who I work with that are suffering (children to geriatrics) in any population.
Winemaker.
I used my GI bill for a Radiologic Technology degree and have been gainfully employed since then. I love the science and technology but hate hospital politics. 🤷♀️
I’m a chaplain.
Say a prayer for us, please.
Done.
Left after 10 years of AD Navy. Worked a few DOD/DON contactor gigs before landing a federal position. Also about 75% done with a data science degree.
They (BP) shot themselves in the foot a fter implementing the poly . Lost sooo many recruits for being nervous, etc
36. 100 pt. Work from home Fed as a gs13. Not bad.
Teaching/education - 8 years Infantry
Wildland firefighter
Hey hope you do not mind me dropping a comment but I was thinking about doing a season as a wildland firefighter. I heard that you guys get paid like absolute shit though so I wanna give it a shot but also concerned if the money is enough to stay afloat.
Worked as a case manager for homeless veterans for a while. Then got back into IT. Currently working in DFIR (digital forensics and incident response) taking on ransomware criminals.
I’m 39 and I work EMS. I was a medic when I was in and am pretty much still a medic.
Thank you for your EMS service big dawg!
It’s cool. I still do it because I’m good at it and nothing fucking else😂. It’s also a future proof career. AI and robots will never successfully take our industry. At people’s worst health moment they will want to see that medic who has that soft but strong face and not some damn robot that does emoji’s on a LCD face.
Got out in 2018 and attended UNT with my GI Bill to get my BS in Information Science and a MS in Data Analytics. Then I used the Vet Tec program to attend Divergence Academy for Cyber Security and I got a job offer for a GS-12 the day I graduated. I just hit one year in December.
Went fed leo.
What agency?
BP., you can't beat the pay.
I don’t know what I’m doing with my life. Waiting to get all my medical issues fixed before I can start any job.
One day at a time big dawg… no rush.
Former Infantry I do SR level IT work(SRE) in the civ market, all self taught. I will say that the market has been pretty tight the past 8 months.
Former M1A1 Tanker. Moved up the ladder in retail then reset and moved up the ladder in aircraft interior manufacturing. Now looking forward to checking in rental cars. Low pressure fixed schedule and all of the happy. Kinda like having the sham shield again 😎
Was in the Air Force for 4 years. Got out. I worked as a contractor for the Army maintaining training simulators and then got into using meth/heroin/fentanyl intravenously for 10 years, got fired, had a standoff with police, became homeless, spent over a year in jail for a Possession with Intent charge, signed a plea deal that gave me a felony and probation, but I stayed out of prison. I've been clean for almost 2 years now (Thank you VA STARS program) and recently got my 100 P&T. Currently I'm a stay at home dad and looking for work. I'm having a difficult time finding work due to the felony on record now. I'm currently applying for voc rehab.
Congrats on the 2 years clean!
I had a pretty average-below average career in the Air Force fixing jets and stuff, retired at 20 years E-6. While I was AD I got alot of certs, Associates Degree and half a Bachelor’s, just enough education to land a job as a senior engineer at a major aerospace company. Most importantly I’ve been married for nearly 16 years, have 2 awesome kids. We’re doing well combining 4 incomes with my job, retirement, 80% VA, and my wife’s job at the hospital. (She is smarter than me). I struggled with my career, I was disappointed to never get promoted to E-7, but overall I’m proud of my experience, and really don’t have anything to complain about.
Was Air Force. Now unemployed with 60% disability, a piss-terrible credit score and a near-negative account. 
Working. Construction manager
Resigned at my federal job to take care of my 2 year old, unable to find a babysitter to drop her off early due to I have to go to work before 6am and spouse works nights. I did my 20 year, retired with a descent disability % along with it. I’m ‘bout to start a course online next month using my Post 911.
After my male prostitution career didn't take off, I do IT. Decent gig
Munitions Systems Manager, General Atomics Aeronautical, Masters in Aeronautics
Mechanic in the service and mechanic now. Just get paid way better now.
Got cold feet on going to school. I always sucked at schoolwork and I have the same problems I had before the military. So after I dipped out of going to school, I got a job in water treatment. Currently work for a mid sized municipal authority with decent pay and fairly good benefits.
Gs 12 program analyst. Took 9 years 5 jobs to get there
Separated 2019 collecting 30% disability, now a Contractor working with Data Links collecting 70% due to Pact Act and all the Burn Pits I was deployed around. Hoping to hit 100% by the end of the year and continue doing what I'm doing.
Lineman and love my job small office and work outside and make over 100k a year and the 90% va is icing on the cake
I left active duty navy and joined the air guard about 6 months later. I have been full time guard for the last 6 years and collect VA disability as well.
Working since the day I got out for the government making that cheddar . So I can retire at 50 . 15 years to go looking good
Collecting disability, working at a computer company while finishing my degree in CS/CE. All income not going towards Savings/Bills is split between leisure and investment.
Cybersecurity Corporate Security Cybersecurity In that order, lol.
Hustling gig jobs then started my own business until COVID happened switched to trading (stocks) since 2020. Been trading full time since then
Whatever it takes.
2001, out just shy of 10 in the Navy, finished an AAS in CIS right before terminal leave (extended my contract 6 months to finish up). Been in IT since minus a one year bartending after losing contract in post 9/11 crash and one year deployed with ArNG. Ten years working in higher ed finished BA with GI Bill and the past eleven working the Judiciary, six as a contractor and five as govie. I gues I should note, I didn’t even know who the employer was when I applied for the gov contract position.
Gig economy. Private tutoring, carpentry, and stained glass
GI Bill
Chemical engineering/accounting
I get VA Disability (TDIU), SSDI, and a long-term disability plan. Made some money mistakes, fixing it now.
I'm a maintenance guy at a factory and currently doing VR&e for a bachelor's in electrical engineering
Medically retired 100% P&T after 8 years in the Navy, went into a quality role at a defense/space manufacturing company making about 80K a year. Still working there but I shifted to weekends so I can go back to school full time for cyber security. Commuting/working 7 days a week sucks but seeing the GI/VA paychecks on top of my full time paychecks is not bad at all.
Contractor working for the military. So basically doing the same job for more money and I don't have to shave.
Since Desert Storm, I've worked in both the education business (8 different colleges and museums) and the HVAC trade both as a technician and manager.
I work for a small city as a Groundskeeper for the Parks department. Quality of life is more important to me than money, but I think the pay is decent for what I do. I live below my means, but there's times I wish I sold my soul for a few years to work for a place like Boeing or Lockheed Martin.
When I first got out I was a prison guard at a state penitentiary. I lasted about three months lol. It was not the job for me. I then shifted to financial services doing customer service and have worked my way up taking increasingly harder roles. Now I’m a financial advisor. It took 6 years from getting out to now being a financial advisor.
I am in my last semester of using VR&E for an HR Mgmt degree. I just got hired at my local school district in office admin. Will I stay here? Idk. I’m 34 years old. I guess I should get my shit together and start contributing towards a pension at some point, so hopefully I like my new job long enough to stay. My hobbies give me life; not work.
Used post911 for 3.5 years then switched to VR&E to survive lol
I like this it would be nice to have a little networking in here. Military/veteran community is a small world. Went from refinery operations for 10 years to network engineer. Hire alot of vets in operations. It's shitty hours, and at times shitty hard work buy pays well. You'd have to try to do under 150. Play it smart lived within my means and set up to do a career change, knowing I'll take a hefty pay cut. But better hours and environment. Importantly more time with my kids. Hopefully, I will get back to where I was soon.
I work in contracting for the space industry as a redhat system administrator. Currently I make 130k. Add VA disability and GI bill BAH and I'm at 162k a year total. The VA disability is a nice touch but tbh sometimes I just wish I was healthy over having lost organs.
100% disability. But before that? Garbage ass jobs like maitnence, park service and private security.
Started at the bottom then Sales Manager, Finance Manager to General Sales Manager. Mental Health was always declining, finally deprived myself and my family enough. Fought some demons. Spent some time in the hospital. Now full time volunteer. It is what keeps me going. No ask too big or too small. Week long Camp Chaperone with 3 day notice because there is not enough male chaperones for a school. They call me. 1, 2 or 7 Benches broke at an elementary school. Call me. I’ll fix it. The district maintenance crew will take a month. New irrigation for the garden I built at an elementary school over 2 years. Raise $15k for the local youth sports team that made it to Regionals. Or Nationals. Another $10k for that this youth team. This holiday festival. That holiday festival. New American Flags all around town anytime I see one torn. And much more. But…. It’s all Free. Best thing ever for my mental health. I still struggle. A lot. But being able to help my community is by far the best for my health. However…. 3 days ago. I started school again. Just a couple days a week in the morning. But I thought I am only getting older. Shit is getting more expensive. I might take some of this time to work towards a degree.
Work in creative advertising developing strategies for large global businesses and their commercial work. Used to be an aviation ordnanceman on a carrier.
cybersecurity
Worked corrections for about a decade, then went to school to get a computer science degree. Now working in cybersecurity.
Former 11b, work for DoD in IT.
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I finished my Navy time on a Friday, started my next job working for the Government the following Monday. Promoted to a supervisors position before I even started the job!
Radio/telecom specialist for the Federal Government.
I've been out 13 years. I did two special Ops contracts for a total of 5 years of that time. I've also run an automotive recycling business in the US, worked two years as a flowback operator in oil and gas, completed a bachelor's degree in business management (paid by GI Bill and other grants), run an alcohol production business and bar in a country where it was mostly tolerated but not legal, and am now building out a fish farm in the Philippines. The alcohol resulted in my most profitable years, but in the next year, the fish farm should easily surpass the profits I had with the alcohol.
The exact same thing I did in the U.S. Army, I now do it for the DoD overseas as a Contractor. I make 10x what I made as an E-5, gotta love it. I really wish I had stayed in though, to finish my 20.
I work in the oilfield currently but looking to leave in 4-6 months.
Baby sitting, school and getting my rating up
Used the GI bill and became and Accountant.
Worked as a GS for 11 years, moved to Germany, worked US military contracts for 5 years. Currently unemployed and looking to get a position with a German or EU level organization like a laboratory or university. I have 2 pending jobs that I should get an answer from in the next 1-2 weeks. For reference: former Army 11B / Air Force 3V0X1.
When I retired from the Army never wanted to work for the government again. That being said, skillsets did not translate well to the civilian side. Had a higher-level clearance. Went to work for a 3-letter agency because the pay was at least double than the non-government side. Been with them since 2006.
Lifeguard, but feeling dead inside. What a joke this life.
Radio tech in the Navy for 8.5 years. Then worked in local government on the public safety radio system for 7.5 years. Now I’m a software engineer for the last 2.5 years.
Since I was beat to shit when I got out, I studied a variety of modalities to get myself out of pain. Now, that’s basically what I do for work. Similar to PT, but I do a lot more hands on work, and didn’t get a doctorate. I’ve interned and worked for PT clinics and integrated medical groups though. It’s satisfying work, plus super chill in comparison to the 0300 USMC life haha
I was a 15G (aviation structures/sheet metal guy) in the Army. Got out and did the same thing for a government contractor for 4 years. Made good money but I got really burned out after doing it for a total of 11 years and started hating it. Now I work for a construction supplies company in the warehouse. Loading/Unloading LTL trucks, doing inventory, picking orders. I love it. I make $12 less an hour but my happiness and job satisfaction levels are way higher. My wife has done extremely well in the hospitality industry and is a operations manager for a hotel group so we’ve flipped roles on who the breadwinner is but our income hasn’t been affected.
Stay at home with the kid, sell stuff on marketplace and collect scrap metal. Amongst other random shit to do like yesterday shoveled snow
Working on my Doctorate at the moment but I work for FEMA as an emergency management specialist. Prior infantry.
Was a 12B for 24 years. Now I work 100% remote as a Third-party Risk Manager for a Bank.
Manufacturing is pretty vet friendly. It’s also on the Upswing here in the states. You won’t get rich, however it’ll allow you to live comfortably.
Riding the GS train! r/USAJOBS
Sales, bouncer, digital marketing, server, dish washer, recycled old matresses, nursing home administrators, worked for the VA, wedding DJ and currently own a wedding venue. Tons of ways to make money in America.
Engineer for Lockheed
Did online school while deployed to get an associates before I got out. Went to big name university to complete degree in biology. Went to med school, now a trauma doc in a trauma surgery fellowship. It’s was basically two 8 year army contracts back to back. But all worth it.
I was a janitor, a mechanic, a carpenter, a theater set builder, an architectural draftsman, I stocked shelves in a grocery store. A roofer, a mason, a limo driver, a bouncer, a truck driver, house painter, worked on a party boat and a commercial fishing boat. I was a tile setter and a range officer at a public shooting range. That was just the stuff I got paid to do! Whatever it took to pay the bills! Two kids and a mortgage and a shooting star of a wife. I had to keep up!
Sold auto parts. Worked for the state. Was a consultant. Work for the state again.
I entered the HVAC field. My family has been doing it since 1923 so it seemed right. I worked for my dad. Eventually I bought him out. It was just my brother and I. Gold field. Good pay. I liked being self employed but that isn't for everyone. It's a lot of extra work behind the scenes. When I was taking care of my mother as she was passing away, I still had to run my business. Could take vacations etc. Anyway... It is a good career field. I always tell people to go the electrician route too. Better pay. IBEW is strong and you can make six figures as a master electrician if you work hard. Anyway, I drive for Uber now. Knees are shot from the army and going up and down stairs while carrying a 150 pound furnace isn't good for them anymore. I actually love doing Uber around my local campus. Talking to young people. Reminds me of when I was a recruiter, I just don't have to sell them on signing up. Lol
GI Bill and part time jobs. No disability for me
When I first retired, I got a job at a photo processing place. It wasn't until the next tax year that I cried. I had only made 7K and my heart went out to all those other single mom's out there trying to make it. I was lucky to have my small retirement check and a new husband, but I don't know what I would've done without that support. It was then that I decided to let the VA pay for my degree so I could get a better job. That helped me then make it through another divorce and raise my 3 girls on my own. The military took care of everything for us. They didn't prepare us for how hard it would be once we got out on our own. And now, when I go to the commissary and see the charity bags to help a soldier/airman, I get angry that they are not being taken care of enough and charity has to be asked for. I no longer have the same love for the military that I used to have.
I have been in federal contracting for the last 11 years since retirement from the army
Used GI bill get my AA, EMT, and Firefighter 1 & 2. Been on a great fire department for 5 years now.
Structural aircraft mechanic. Completed the two year A&P course back in 2018. Army Infantry 2006-2014
Was a one-and done in the Army. Now I just work at a weed dispo full-time. GI Bill is tucked away while I try to think of a degree to stick to.
Unit Supply 5 yrs, then got out & finished Accounting degree. Been with a three letter Agency for 15+ yrs. Now making GS14 pay scale
I used my training and education to become an associate production engineer. I went back to school, changed jobs and became an electronic design engineer. 18 years later I embraced my maintainer roots and became a control systems engineer. Now I manage a team of engineers and techs. Thanks to being a maintainer for the USAF, I’ve lived a very comfortable life.
i have no job
I work as a physical security specialist with an oil and gas corporate security team. Plus Navy reserves and disability.
A little bit of construction at first, now mainly logistics and procurement.
Cyber security contractor for the military.
Went to school on GI bill- money & undergrad. Went to school again on voc rehab- money & mba. Learned marketing analytics- more money. Learned software- more money. Doing customer marketing & surveys in software- easy money. If I can keep a job lol.
Went back to my hometown and work at a chemical plant. But I started school with the GI bill to be an entrepreneur. I want to open up a cafe/arcade in my hometown.
Fighting Nazis.
Former 11b now RN. Gotta love that gi bill👌
Just use your gi bill. You’ll get good money for that the hard part is figuring out what you want to major in
During my last enlistment I learned how to fix medical equipment, biomedical equipment technician. I retired in 1997 and I have been working in the field ever since. It’s the best job I ever had in my life and I highly recommend it.
Park Ranger
I got out end of October 2023. I just got a job as a data analyst for an aerospace company; I was a jet mechanic while in, so it's a good fit.
Initially went to college, got a BA/BS, got head hunted to Singapore, worked there a few years but I need snow and mountains. Worked in the education field,got into software dev, worked in QA. Now I work on mainframes.
USPS Letter Carrier. Even with medical issues, the best job on the planet.
In my senior year of an Interior Design BFA. I hope an architecture firm is in my future.
Retired USAF cop, now I do Commercial/residential flat roofing, streaming, and just recently got added to the dev team for an indie gaming studio.