Don't open this thread if you don't want to see me feeling sorry for myself.

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Some of you already know the story, but I’ll repeat some of the details for others who don’t. I was demobilized as of 1 January 04, returned to the role of Traditional Guardsman, meaning the one weekend a month, two weeks a year thing you hear about on radio and television, although I actually have to do much more than that, being a flyer and all I have currency requirements. I am now in a quasi-civilian/military status, meaning I still have to follow the rules, but I also have to get a job, a civilian job.

So anyway, I thought I had a job lined up, but something broke down somewhere along the way and they never called me back, which really confuses me because they were excited to get my application, thewy called me in and gave me top marks on my interview, and I was willing to work any shift and any and all overtime they were willing to throw my way. So, I’ve been looking for other jobs, thus far to no avail.

I have an interview with a local small-time television station next Friday morning. Maybe I get the job, maybe I don’t, but even if I do get it I need to find a second job, because Robin made the Dean’s List last semester and if at all possible I want to avoid making her get a job so she can focus on her studies. I’m trying to set her up for success in the midst of my own personal failure. Ain’t that a bitch.

Anyway, there are several jobs that I am qualified to do, but they all require as proof of service my DD214, which is an official form showing separation from Active Duty. Until I get that I can’t get any sort of guard job at the local base that they want me to do, I can’t take any postal exams, and what’s worse, I can’t even file for unemployment. I called the people doing the DD214s for the Wing, and they said that they’d get it to me whenever they could. That was two weeks ago, and I’ve heard nothing since.

In the meantime, I’ve papered the entire town I live in, the nearest city, and several other municipalitites with my resume, and I’ve gotten back bupkis. So not only am I unemployed, there’s a good chance that this will continue for a while and I can’t even collect unemployment while I’m looking for a job. The only good news is I can make some money with the Guard flying and doing my UTAs along with the occasional Active Duty TDY that I might be able to get. Also, my supervisor asked me what I had lined up after I got off AD, and when I told him that I was screwed he took the initiative and had a collection for me and my family for some bills if things got really tight. I quite literally cried when he pulled me into the office and told me that. It touched me to my very core. I’ll never be able to say enough good things about the people I work with. They’re the best, simple as that.

Another thing: I am now also without any sort of insurance for Robin and Aaron. The TRICARE for Reservists law was passed months ago, but do to the typical bureaucratic snafu it is still unavailable. So if either Aaron or Robin have to go to the hospital, we’re screwed. Simple as that.

And yet here I am, posting this on a computer that I can no longer afford to power, with an Internet connection that I’m probably going to have to get rid of. After all the things that I’ve said before, I feel like a Goddamn hypocrite. Gee, like that’s never happened before.

Anyway, feel sorry for me, tell me to eat shit and die, this is what I get, whatever. This is the reality I am living in right now, and rather than going out and getting piss-ass drunk with money I can’t afford to spend, I figured I’d just write it here and hopefully I’ll feel better. As though that’s really going to work.

So that’s it. I really have nothing else to say. I’m not even in the mood to go over to the Pit and post some rude shit. I’m not really in the mood for anything right now. Maybe I’ll go take a walk. Maybe not. Who knows? Not I.

Dave

2

I hope that things turn around for you quickly, and that you and Robin and Aaron will have a safe and healthy New Year. Keep us posted, if you can. We care.

3

Surely if you are applying somewhere that actually cares about the DD214 (most of the companies I interviewed with prior to separation didn’t even ask about it) understands the fun of military bureaucracy. Won’t they accept the papers you were given when you walked out of the personnel flight until you get your DD214?

And if you are still in the Guard, why do they need a DD214? You still have a military ID, a unit, a squadron that can vouch for your status.

You have my sympathy if you are at the mercy of MPF.

4

I hope things look up for you soon, Doors.

And if you’re concerned about health care for Aaron, look into the state’s CHIP program. With Robin in school and you between jobs, he’d almost certainly qualify for coverage, if only as a hedge against emergencies.

5

Honey, you can feel sorry for yourself any old time you want to and we’ll all be here with broad shoulders.

I am sure that you will succeed in your quest for employment. I’m sure Robin would be honored to postpone a semester to keep you afloat. And BabyDoors will be just as proud of his Daddy tomorrow as he is today.

Keep the faith, my friend. Things will work out.

6

Well, hell. That roundly sucks. Is there an actual person responsible for producing the DD214 whose office you can go sit in and refuse to leave until they produce it?

And, while the beaurocratic foot dragging frustrates me, because it’s a totally unnessecary and productivity sapping part of military life, the actions of your comrades gives me a little glow of pride. That’s the kind of “taking care of our own” that we all should be doing.

And in that vein, if in the unlikely event that Bluesman and I can help in any way, you are herewith ordered to ask without hesitation.

7

And you know I’ll do what I can. You guys are on my ‘worthwhile humans’ list (and it’s not very long).

Did you ever contact AnnaLucretia?

8

The good thing is, Dave’s sergeant is aware of our situation and is sympathetic. Worse comes to worst, he can take this up the chain of command and have them lean on the personnel office. I think he’ll probably have his DD214 Tuesday.

The bad thing is, he can’t apply for any kind of public assistance or government job without that DD214. It’s a vital document that proves he’s off active duty and that gives him veteran’s preference.

Hopefully, he’ll get the job with the TV station and most of our problems will be solved.

Good Doper thoughts needed. :slight_smile:

Robin

9

QUOTE]After all the things that I’ve said before, I feel like a Goddamn hypocrite.
[/QUOTE]

(((Dave)))

Don’t. Just…don’t.

Everyone needs a little something every now and again. Just because you have internet access doesn’t mean you’re a hypocrite.

You’re not. Okay? You’re just not. Just because life isn’t all peaches and cream doesn’t mean you have to give up >every damn thing. I am living–abso-freaking-lutely living–there and doing that, believe you me.

You might have to cut the internet for a little while, sometime, until you get everything in order, but just because you still have it right now doesn’t mean you’re bad in any way, shape, or form.

But you’re not a hypocrite, Dave. You aren’t. You’ve hit a harsh patch, and it blows goats, but you don’t suck because of it, and it didn’t happen because you suck.

Aaron isn’t starving. You aren’t going to be evicted. Yes, stuff’s suckin’ ass at the moment. But you’ll get through it.

And if you think I might not really understand…well, you and I have a mutual friend. Ask him. :wink:

10

And if a kind moderator with nothing else going on at the moment might be willing to fix my coding, I’d really appreciate it. :smiley:

11

Airman, this situation really, really bothers me and there needs to be more light shed on it. I suspect there are many others who are in a similar spot.

I don’t know whether you live in a city or a small town, but you may have to go eyeball to eyeball with people. Go to the churches near you with your story and ask for help. Call your Senators and Congressional representatives – both on the federal and state levels. Call the Governor’s office. Call again tomorrow. Call the mayor. Go to the newspaper with the story. Call the campaign headquarters of the Democratic candidates. I’m very serious.

This is just unthinkable. Please don’t lose touch with us – even if you have to go to the library to log on. Folks at SDMB have a way of helping out in a pinch. Let us know, okay?

12

My best to you, Doors.

13

Airman, as a person in military personnel, I can say that sitting in the personnel office until you’re taken care of might work (as long as you’re polite and patient with everybody), but you might try the fabled ‘old boy network’ angle too. Talk to your sergeant major (or have your first sergeant talk to him/her) and have them talk to the MILPO SGM and tell your story. That will get the ball rolling from the top, rather than you pushing it uphill from the bottom. Give it a try anyway.

Big kudos to your fellow soldiers for helping you out in your time of need. Try to make those dollars stretch as far as you can.

While I’m sorry your plan to work 2 jobs while Robin went to school isn’t working out, do you (like a good soldier) have backup plans in case that didn’t work out? Like someone else said, she may need to wait a semester before starting so you can pull something together.

Things don’t necessarily suck because they don’t go according to the letter of your plan. As they say in the military, “Adapt and Overcome.” You and your family will do fine, I know it, and keeping up a cheerful attitude (even if only for their sake) will do you better than a handful of self-pity.

14

Airman, all the best, and good luck.

15

That THIS is the start of your New Year, makes me very sad. Government agencies snafu-ing people? No way, you lie… heh, I’ve been there. I hope nothing bad happens to you, your So, and the lil’ one during the meantime. That is the last thing you need at the end of the rope. I hope you find not only a job lead but a JOB, because you sound more than willing to pull your share of the load. I hope the insurance snafu clears quickly because life happens, accidents and all. I hope they send you that form ASAP, funny how something so seemingly simple can screw EVERYTHING so much.

I wish you the best of luck and am sending good vibes your way! And I’m not going to tell you to eat shit and die, you ninny. We all hope for the best for ya, doncha know? We care here…

16

Airman Doors, you and I may disagree at times, but you’re a good man. I certainly understand your frustration, and no, it isn’t right, not that anyone asked me.

Be well, and good luck. For me, frustration has always been the toughest thing to deal with, and I know telling yourself your wife and son are depending on you just makes it worse. You don’t have to carry it alone. You’ve got a smart and sensible lady by your side; let her do what she can and chooses to you. Masculine pride is kind of sexy and appealing, but sometimes, my lad, it gets in the way. I know this first hand, as do all four of the couples I count my closest friends.

I can’t offer anything but moral support, but you’ve got a ton of that.

CJ

17

Man, if you don’t get your 214 by Tuesday, DEFINITELY go to the office and squat until they get it to you. That is NOT something that needs to be sent off for at all. It gets done right there at the office. They do them RIGHT THERE on there stupid little computers. There is no reason for a hold up.

It bothers me that they would even deactivate you without one. Maybe a mobilization is handled differently, but when I recently got off active duty for training, I could not leave the base and return home without the 214. Picking up that form was the last step in a long drawn out clearing process. But it only took them a couple hours to produce the form. I went in at 1300 and gave them my paperwork. And by 1500, I had my form. And that was Fort Bragg’s office so they were busy as shit!!

With that said, I can so completely relate to your situation. Only, I don’t have a family to worry about. There’s just me. And just my bills. But I thought I was going to go overseas and stay active after I returned from Bragg. So the whole time I was getting ready to return home, I never bothered to look for a job. But as soon as I got back home, plans changed. Now it looks like I’ll be home for at least 4 months. Maybe 5!
So I told the S1 that if they’re not going to send me to Iraq, then I’ll need a job. And I asked what was available on base. Nothing was going to be available until after the first of the year. So I am going to call back and check on Monday. I am hoping that something medical will open up. If not, I am going to be working at the Ammo Supply Point. It will be boring and sucky, but it will be active duty pay. Plus money for housing… For extra fast cash in the meantime, I starting bouncing at a strip club. I knew someone who knew someone. But I dont think titty-bar security is an option for you right now…

Anyway, GOOD LUCK!!! If you dont get that 214 on Tuesday, go to the office. There is no reason for them to not have it to you that day. Seriously, they just type some crap into the computer and it’s done. It’s not like they have to mail a form and have it returned from headquarters or some crap like that!!!

Good luck! If you need anything, let us know!

18

Horseflesh, please check your e-mail.

Robin

19

Just a thought, but if you haven’t got your certificate of deactivation, then they haven’t deactivated you, have they? So claim your pay!

Another thought: there’s an ex-Airforce National Guard guy who I’m sure will feel for you. He lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC.

20

qts, his Orders are what actually deactivates him. But I’m still shocked they are dicking around with getting his 214 to him. That is just beyond me. It takes longer to post to this thread than it actually does to type up a 214. Might take a little longer depending on how many schools you’ve attended and awards you received.

*** * *** Doors, how much leave did you accumulate on active duty? Did you use any of it? If not, go to finance and sell it back? If you have 14 days of leave left, that’s two more weeks worth of pay right there. That might hold you over while you find employment!

Again, GOOD LUCK!!