Don't Make the Same Mistake I Made

I retired in February 2008 in the Spokane, Wash. area. I received 30 percent disability and was approved for Voc Rehab. 

After receiving career change counseling from my Voc Rehab counselor, I was sent back to my DVA counselor where she received the Voc Rehab report instructing me to  receive more training or education to change me career.

My DVA counselor put together a rehabilitation plan and sent me to the local WorkSource employment office. I've been working with them for the past four months trying to find employment without the necessary training or education requirements that most civilian companies are looking for. 

My point is that I should have taken the time to further my education from a CCAF to a BS or BA. I planned wrong for my retirement. I bet that the Air Force would hire civilian logistics planners since the career field was critical  to sustain the AF mission. 

I gambled and lost, there are no position listing anywhere. Don't make the same mistake I made. Finish your education anyway you can. 

(Submitted by Richard Smith)

Comments

[Jeff]

I thought that particular program would send you back to school? I just applied for it and now wonder what it is all about. Should I just us my GI Bill money instead and further my education? thanks

[Rob Burton]

Richard,

Don't give up. I'm a retired Loggie and it took me about a year before I picked up a job. When you are looking for a Logistics Plans job in USAJobs look at the 346 job series. There are Support Agreements and IDO positions out there as well as UDM. You just need to keep your eyes open and have your resume ready to roll as soon as possible.

Education is not essential but helps. The key is the experience in the position when you were Active Duty. Show what you did in your resume and be able to substantiate it, but remember to civilianize the language. Matching the KSA's is critical for your resume to be picked up.

Good Luck in the search.

[shannon]

Richard, check into the post 9-11 GI bill, you can finish your last two years of school and make yourself marketable. They pay a housing allowance equal to a E-5. the advice about the army 346 is correct, but with most goverment jobs, they are looking for a degree to get you in the door.

[Jeff]

I agree that education is important but after I retired I went through voc rehab got a master's degree and I haven't been able to get a job. I continually apply but I get told you don't have enough experience. So you need the education but you also need the experience it seems before anyone will talk to you.

[Shane]

Don't give up - and don't exclude opportunities. I retired June 2008 expecting a gov't contract job too. After six months of lowering my standards I went back to school and got a VA WorkStudy job with WorkSource. That became a staff position as a DVOP in Western WA. Don't give up and seek out the DVOPs and LVERs in Spokane.

[Patrick]

I retired from the Army in 2006. It took me two years to land the government job I was seeking. I too recieved a 30 percent disability, but did not apply for the VOC Rehab, as I didn't think I would qualify and I needed to find a job immediately. I worked for two years in private industry gaining more experience in the field in which I was trying to land a government job. The whole time I continued to apply for openings all over the country. What it took was 1. Some education 2. A good amount of relavant experience 3. A carefully worded reume, in order to get picked-up by the automated system 4. A lot of patientce and persistance. Good luck

[SteveS]

Voc Rehab is great!!! I'm a 60 year old, Vietnam (Agent Orange) Veteran, I currently collect 50% VA disability. I applied for Voc Rehab right after my VA disability went from 10% to 40% last year. Did the interviewing, counseling, aptitude test, etc.
Anyway, I'm a burned out Psychiatric Nurse and now the VA Rehab is paying (100%) to retrain me at DeVry University in Electronics and Computer technology, I love every minute of it. I should graduate next summer. As for a job we'll see then.
PS: If you know any Vietnam Veterans with any type of Diabetes there is a very good chance they qualify for disability under Agent Orange rules, get them to the VA!! Actual, a Veterans Organization councilor/representative would be better, I used the VFW. Oh, and no excuses, I was living overseas in Ireland at the time I applied for disability, I was represented by the VFW Pittsburg office, they did a wonderful job.

[Ronny Dunn]

Let's be honest about the VOCR folks. Most of them are not veterans. Most of them don't follow up on your progress.
They hide in their offices and wait for you to come begging.
Their job connections are seriously lacking. They don't keep up with current trends and are very enept at assisting you in finding work.

[Ronny Dunn]

My experience with the VFW in Albuquerque was heart breaking.
I elected them as my rep.Submitted my packet through the local VA reps office. Two weeks later I got a letter telling me to not talk to anyone except them. I emailed them called them wrote them and attempted to get in contact with them via the VA rep locally.
I ended up doing the work my self and representing myself. I went from 10% to 80% due to my efforts.
I still have not been able to talk to the VFW rep.Now I am working on getting my disability pay with dependents as the VA doesn't initially pay you as married with Dependants, they pay you as single no dependants and then you must fight again for correct payments.

[Ronny Dunn]

I applied for VOC rehab after my 80% determination.
I received my appointment with the local Rahab rep. Made the apponitment. Sat through the VCR presentation signed a paper and talked to the rep. The rep said you are qualified for VOC Rehab. You will receive your scheduled appointment for Aptitude testing soon. That was four months ago.
Called the rep, still waiting.

[Ronny Dunn]

Hey you guys and gals. If you are retired military and or seperated from the military after four or more years. Contact Alatec Inc.
Brandon Umphrey - ALATEC [bumphrey@alatecinc.com]
1-256-489-0061
Tell him Ronny Dunn at White Sands recommended you. They are hiring Vets from all services.Right now

[debbie wolff]

my husband had gone thru voc/rehab and they did nothing for him, kept his appts, they never did find him anything, nor send him for training in any field, he ended up going back to do what he did in the Army, so Voc/rehab sent him a letter that he revoked there help, he had to sign it, but if they had helped him he wouldnt be working in Iraq right now doing what he did in the Army. so did it work for him?

[Claude Waller]

I have had some luck with voc rehab.They processed my paperwork when I was 50% service connected. I had one semester of college and no job. They not only helped me obtain my bachelors in accounting but helped me obtain a just rating. I struggled getting through some classes because of my disability but VA was their to hear my concerns. Now I am trying to get my Masters through the same program. Keep trying, times are tuff but use that backbone that the military gave you.

[sonykaye]

I just lost my job in June because I did have experience and got my MS degree in safety as well. Unfortunately I have anxiety and depression which I never reported while in the military. I retired in 1996, took me three days to get to fort lauderdale because of the anxiety and 14 years to land a job making a decent wage. I saw an employee attack another employee and testified for the victim and they went after me. My union coerced me into resigning, but you will get unemployment don't worry about it. I just lost my last appeal for unemployment and can't get a job because I have a hard time driving with the anxiety and am made fun of because of my depression which I did not know I had until someone told me. I was happy doing my job. If you messup your screwed for a very long time. the system does not protect the veterans. Uncle sam kicks us to the curb and society thinks we are a bunch of nuts. Good Luck.

[LT]

Sonykaye, Go see a Vet Rep. Tell them your issue and history of duty. The VA requires proof and rationale of claim. But if you can show a connection to your military work and your current status, their my be a possible connection? Whatever the case get that medical issue checked immediately!!!

[sina hernandez]

I had an upgrade for my disability back in November of 2007 from 30% to 60%. I'm still waiting for the VA to refund the money that was witheld. DFAS already send them the letter after thier calculations and approval for thhem to pay their part, I was told by the VA that they are still working on it and it might take another 30 to 60 days. I've been waiting for almost 2 years and I think it's ridiculous. Is anyone else having this problem and if you are or were, please let me know what to do.

Thanks,
Ms. Hernandez

[James Stewart]

Hey thanks to all of you for giving your honest input. I am retiring in May 2010 and all your comments are helping me make some very important decisions. It is great to have fellow warriors that are willing to speak up and assist their brothers in arms. I wish you didn't have it so hard making the change to civilian life. I also hope we can continue to help each other. Thanks soooooo much!!