Esquire interview with the man who shot UBL

[Kraven251]

It is a long read, but it is amazing. It also tells that very real story about how the .mil/.gov sucks at taking care of its own after they are out.

http://www.esquire.com/print-this/ma...-0313?page=all

[Ronin13]

Some of his "facts" are a little off- OEF/OIF vets are pretty well taken care of by the VA- you get 5 years medical coverage after separation, lifetime coverage if over 50% service connected disability... coverage on injuries for life if service connected.

[10mm-man]

I don't know if I 100% agree with the statement. They could do more and yes it does take some time to get back on your feet when you get out, but in the long run; you are taken care of in the long run. When I got out it sucked not knowing what to do and it takes some time to get in the swing of things. I read some were in a comparison chart, it compared a Mil man with someone with a four year degree. It showed four years of service and four years of school. The civilian would be farther ahead as to pay, benefits, etc. from the 4-8 year mark, but then the mil man would surpass that individual. People complain about our vets not being taken care of, but if a vet chooses to work hard, the people, Gov, etc. take care of them. There are a lot of programs out there; GI Bill, V.A. medical, business loans, business training and many more. I was surprised at the amount of things out there for Veterans, you just have to go get it, like anything else in life!

[Kraven251]

I will say this up front "I don't know," but I thought a lot of this was based on being active reserve etc. I know my father stayed active reserve to get his full benefit package, but there was no way they were going to call up a gunny with a leg/knee full of shrapnel. This guy though would probably have been activated in some capacity just because of his skillset.

I wondering how it plays when you are just out, leave with no strings etc.

[Ronin13]

I wondering how it plays when you are just out, leave with no strings etc.

Do you mean with no VA disability rating? You get 5 years of medical coverage, IIRC, and are entitled to all sorts of great benefits mentioned by 10mm-man such as hunting/fishing licenses for free or huge discount (haven't taken advantage of this yet so not exactly sure), VA home loan guarantee, GI Bill, SBA support (federally mandated), VA small business loan assistance, Veterans preference on gov jobs, and the list goes on for about 15 pages

[Kraven251]

Thanks Ronin and 10mm, makes me curious why he isn't taking advantage or it may just be the initial transitioning is the issue. I was just used to seeing vet benefits get cut with every "balanced" budget that passed through the fed.

[Ronin13]

Thanks Ronin and 10mm, makes me curious why he isn't taking advantage or it may just be the initial transitioning is the issue. I was just used to seeing vet benefits get cut with every "balanced" budget that passed through the fed.

95% of the benefits veterans are entitled to aren't really disclosed very well, I had to look up most of the cool stuff I get when I got out... And I go through the Disabled American Veterans org for assistance with my VA Disability, because the VA isn't very good at helping you through that process. I can't say for everyone, and every post/unit/etc but my experience: they don't tell you shit, you have to go out and find what benefits you get after leaving service.

[asmo]

Umm.. You don't do 20 -- you don't get full bene's.. What am I missing here?

Why he wouldnt take 3 years of some other duty is very strange.

[buckeye4rnr]

Does someone here have a list of the benefits your get if you leave military service before your 20 years? I know the answer is "jack shit" but someone is arguing with me saying they get a bunch of benefits and won't accept first hand accounts as factual. He wants an actual list which I have been unable to find.

[Ronin13]

Umm.. You don't do 20 -- you don't get full bene's.. What am I missing here?

Why he wouldnt take 3 years of some other duty is very strange.

Does someone here have a list of the benefits your get if you leave military service before your 20 years? I know the answer is "jack shit" but someone is arguing with me saying they get a bunch of benefits and won't accept first hand accounts as factual. He wants an actual list which I have been unable to find.

Wrong and wrong... This is where a lot of misconception lies. No you don't get retirement benefits- but there are a lot of veteran's benefits regardless of how long you served (granted you need an honorable discharge for a lot of good stuff). Here are a couple extensive looks at what vets are entitled to after service:
http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/
http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits