So I was talking to a soldier last evening

[onethatcares]

my wife and I went out for dinner and at a little spot ran into a guy that was being released by the army. We got into a discussion and i asked him why he was getting out. He told me "well, they tell me I'm crazy". So, I asked, "what's it like to be crazy?" He said, "sheesh, I never even noticed it, but the other 6 guys that I'm with are crazy too, and since most of us have less than 4 yrs to go to retirement, I don't know what to think"...
This guy had been to Kosovo, GW1, a couple of other places and Iraq 2x this time around. He's been diagnosed with ptsd and doesn't know what kind of discharge he's gonna receive or anything. His rank at present is E7, that's a seargent first class, he said he had over 16 yrs in and didn't know what he was going to do now. Anyone know of any openings for a military career person?

[TomInTib]

1. A lot of guys are getting the hook just one re-up from retirement.

The fucking dogs in Washington have no heart at all.

Bastards.

[onethatcares]

13. that's what he feels it is about.

said "they're bringing these kids in that don't know shit from shinola". That was amazing. I was trying to eat, carry on a conversation with my wife and talk to him at the same time. I think I'll see if I can find him tonite, according to the owner of the establishment, he's a regular at the bar.

[shadowknows69]

15. The Clinton Admin did a lot of this too I'm sorry to say.

They mostly offered early retirement though not the potential discharge this guy is going to get.

[brentspeak]

16. So, that means they won't be eligible for pensions or retirement health care?

If so, I hope somebody in Congress raises Holy Hell about it. Like, now.

:mad:

[TomInTib]

17. That's about it.

The whole thing is fucked.

It wasn't until I was called up for Panama in '89 (17 years after leaving active duty) that I found I am eligible for assignment until I am 62 years old.

And I don't receive a dime in benefits.

[soothsayer]

2. they're all going to end up at the postal service (vets get up to a 10 point pref)

so they get hired first. SO....we'll be seeing more 'going postal' cuz that's what happened with some of the poor viet nam guys who filled the postal ranks.

[Zywiec]

3. Less than 4 years to go to a retirement check and he's getting out?

I would think he's crazy also.

[BOSSHOG]

5. He's not getting out voluntarily

The Army is going to give him a medical discharge.

[Zywiec]

7. Then that's screwed up!

If he gets a medical discharge he'll only get a percentage of his normal retirement.

[BOSSHOG]

8. Agreed my Friend

I think people in his condition and situation should have the option of a second (non military) opinion. This is certainly a classic case of NOT taking care of the troops.

[hootinholler]

18. Oh, He's being 'taken care of' alright.

Like a lot of others have been 'taken care of'

-Hoot

[HeeBGBz]

6. I don't think he's getting out by choice

I may be wrong but that's what I got from reading it.

[BonnieJW]

4. There is a company called Orion.

They find positions for ex-military. Believe it or not, there is a huge demand for ex-military people with facility experience. Generators, air conditioning, UPS (uninterrupted power source).

[w8liftinglady]

9. Maybe he can try MilitaryHire.com

http://www.militaryhire.com/

[TheBaldyMan]

10. Blackwater? KBR? Halliburton?

I know that's completely heartless but long service guys could probably write their own ticket.

[lyonn]

11. This is one sick and heartless Administration

They learned this trick from their Corp. buddies, fire them a few years before retirement. That way corp. profits go UP, simple math. SOB - - but to do it to our military is criminal.

[valerief]

12. Bush's private army. nt

[GumboYaYa]

14. Where in the country are you?

Here in St. Louis, I know a guy who is training Vets to install alt energy products.

[onethatcares]

19. St Petersburg, Fla,

Veterans Hospital at Bay Pines is where this man was staying at present.