I was a carreer Soldier of 15 years. Diabetes took me out when I was but preparing for Afghanistan. I was feeling humiliated, kicked aside, but more so unable to be with my fellow Soldiers. It hurt. It hurt beyond words. I wollowed in self pity and in a drunken stupor for a couple of years. Blasting music and reading words of glory, praying that my “guys” would all come home.
Well, time slipped by and I eventually ventured out to meet some truly fine people. With their encouragement I began to search for a new vocation. My very first effort was to take the job of the “Veteran’s Representative” at the local Workforce Center. The reason being is that this individual had no knowledge of the military whatsoever. I demanded to have his job because I sincerely felt that I could do far better than he.
Some time did pass, but I finally got the interview that I’d been waiting for (his Job.) I prepared for the interview, I knew it all well. MOS’s, ranks, bases, combat zones, etc. When I went to the interview I was asked a multitude of questions regarding “DD People,” or Developmentally Disabled People. I “bulled” my way through the interview and, by golly, got the job as Employment Consultant for the Developmentally Disabled.
What a turn. I was trained to kill for 15 years, but here and now, I found myself 180 degrees from where I’d started 15 years ago. Saving Americans directly, versus killing my enemy to save Americans.
Ladies and Gentlemen, you can serve your country in a vast multitude of ways with distinct honor. I know very, very well that it hurts to be “de fanged” at the pinacle of such a wonderous career as a servicemember, but please do remember that there are fellow Americans here at home that would love just for you to shake their hands and say “Hi.” That’s all that it takes. Look at home now. We need you here just as we needed your there. Come home safe, and please be with us now. Home of the free.
God bless you all,
(Submitted by SSG Cameron N. Minard USA, (RET))
Congrats on your job,I retired in 2004 and in 2008 found out I had aproblem with my deers.I went to my local county va rep.This was a mistake because i left very upset,he knew nothing to help me he said i will give you a phone# to call a man,I didnt want to call someone else I wanted him to help me thats his job,to shorten the story I called st louis straightened it out myself, drove 3 hrs to ky to get my wifes id card update.I called the person that recomendes for the va job and told him I wanted the job because I care and the current rep does not.It did no good he is still the rep doing nothing,lots of veterans has told me the same thing.I also miss the army and would love to have the job,again congrats.
SFC Dean Collins (ret)
I too was sidelined by diabetes. I was serving at an overseas base at the time. I felt the anger and humiliation that it brought. God bless in your new life and control IT(diabetes) dont let IT control you.
God Bless both of you for having the courage to fight for our country. I did not know you could be taken out of battle because of diabetes, but since I have it,I can see the complications of being out in the field with it. It’s hard just to be normal some days, but you’re right, you have to control IT! Best of luck with your job changes…
I feel your pain. I was “fortunately” allowed to retire in ’05 after being diagnosed with Sarcodosis. I felt like an outsider the last year 18 months or so because alot of folks didn’t understand the sickness and the constant pain that I endured and still endure. I cared so much for my beloved military that I intentionaly scored low on my promotion exam to give some of my peers a better chance at promotion.
Between the Sarciod and migraines, I also fell into a self loathing funk for several years and the people that were supposed to help were about as good as uncooked t-bones. I gave up on the VA and most doctors until one day a few months ago. The Army doc (now retired) that initially diagnosed my case called me out of the blue and if not for him, I’d still be drunk or dead. He gave me the strength and hope to get over my bad spell and move ahead in life. I’m still looking for work, but get overlooked alot even though I can out-do most of the big degree holding nitwits in corporate. I’ve come to realize the ineffectiveness of alot of companies and our government agencies. They’d rather hire someone with a degree that doesn’t care about the job rather that hire one of us that would give 200% just for the opportunity.So I’m gearing up to go back to school and when I finish my degree…Look out world!
I still feel like an outsider, but I now have hope!
I am going through the same thing. It’s difficult out there. I retired in 2001 with 30% disability and when I met with my VA couselor at that time she showed no interest in helping me at all. I felt I was on my own and survided until now. Here I am 7 years still trying to help my fellow service members and still haven’t got a call or an interview yet. Congrats on your job and I hope I can also be a happy ending story and write to you guys about it. Good Luck!
Hey guys my name is James, I have been diabetic for 28 years. I was dianosed when I was four years old. Ever since I was old enough to stand I wanted to serve my country. It is still a dream I have today. Due to a kidney alment I am limited at things I can due. You wonderful people are living a dream that I have had for a long time. So I ask you to enjoy your service for myself and all the other diabetics out there that were unable to serve. In closeing I wish you all the best please come home safe, and I love you all.
God Bless America Home Of The Free And Land Of The Brave.
Thanks Guys, Your stories were very compelling,
I am also a retired vet. I do not have an understanding of your ailment. I do welcome those of you who could not serve and God Bless those who did. This is good stuff
1504 Franklin Street, Suite 200
Oakland, CA 94612
510–763-3904
VA Medical Readjustment Counseling Service
I am a combat service connected Vietnam Veteran. Disability discharge 1990. I have been apart of group counseling and a volunteer at the above center since my discharge. During my tenure here I am blessed to say that I have been a active witness/participant in seeing that countless veterans get their needs met. If you can’t come call. Willing to help any way we (I) can. I am willing to say that there is someone here that’s been there.
“Insulin is incompatible with Air Force standards.” That’s the line in the regulation that took me out of 23 years of servce to my country. My unit treated me with compassion and honor all the way to my medical retirement. Some units don’t understand what we go through when we lose what we love doing. And there are those who go through depression trying to deal with diabetes. But they have to remember that life is a battle. Nothing’s changed. We’re still soldiers. It’s just a different battle. Fight for what’s yours and help your brothers and sisters through the pain. Never give up! That’s what the Air Force taught me. Keep your head up and deal with the fight in front of you. You WIN every day if you maintain what’s important in your life. We vets owe it to help other vets because when we save them we save ourselves too.
I am an Air Force Veteran. I was a Cop. I was diagnosed with PTSD and lower back injury. I am in the process of goping through the VA System toget my VA pension…well what ever the pension is. I understand what you went through. getting defanged is a horrible and tought situation to contend with. I am there now. I have been out of the service since October 2009. I am inthe process of taking classes. I still will serve, but as an attorney. I have seen to many service members and vets get treated with indifference, this motivated me topersue a career in law. I am not getting into law for the money, I care about my comarades in arms, regardless of service. I care. As a Native American Veteran. and as an Airman, my tribe taught me to never quit, never retreat, regardless of the odds. The Air Force only reinforced these values. Your article only reinforces those values. Thank you
Hello fellow ex-military:
I have been in the position to hire folks at more than one Federal agency. I had a “hire a vet” first plan but I did not always get a qualified vet.
Sometimes, I might get several hundred applications for one job — usually that meant several degreed vets in the package and, often, I’d make the first cut of those without degrees and I’d then look at the rest. Sometimes I’d get applications that the applicant didn’t even use “spellcheck” before submitting their application. I took this to mean they weren’t really interested in the job or that they would not or could not produce a usable written product for the public we served.
I then looked for any work that could support that the individual had a good chance of success of accomplishing the tasks they would be assigned. In other words, a plumber might be able to do a good job but a law enforcement type who dealt with the public and wrote reports would be a better candidate.
You need to understand that it takes a couple of years to train a new employee to get them fully functional in many jobs. My last agency went through hiring freezes and sometimes I could not replace someone who left for two or more years. I had to be sure they would stay and would do a good job and that they had good people skills. In reality, it is a “best educated guess” situation. Of the most recent dozen or so hires, ten remained in their positions or were promoted to the next level. I missed badly on two, however. Nobody’s perfect. When you get that job, you’ll be working for that imperfect person — make them proud of hiring a vet and they’ll do it again and again.
Now, wait a minute. This cat got out of the Army and missed going to Afghanistan because of diabetes, but he spent two years in a drunken stupor??? The alcohol should have killed him; he was faking to avoid a deployment and then felt sorry for himself. “Trained to kill for 15 years”? Get over yourself, hero.