Does being "Honorably Discharged" get you anything?

Question

I recently got out of the Army after 9 years and moved to the SW Houston area. The reason I got out is so I could spend more time with my wife and 2 year old daughter. Year long deployments to Iraq aren't cool at all. Since I've been out, I've had nothing but bad luck. I've been looking at alot of jobs but they don't offer enough to support my family, my household goods got shipped to the wrong place, and I had to pay to get them to my apartment, and the VA Loan which is supposed to be a great thing, really isnt. I qualified for a whole $95,000 with 6.5% interest rate. The houses in this price range are in trashy neighborhoods or they are in really bad shape. I want the best for my family, and I just think the Army should have done more to help us out since I dedicated 9 years of my life to them. Does anyone have any advice, or has anyone had similar problems???????????

I was an Infantry Staff Sergeant. No I'm not disabled.

And no I'm not looking for free handouts, I just think that the Army should do a little more for veterans.

Answer 1

There is not much you can do. It all comes down to job experience and there is not much use for an ex-11B in the civilian word. But many employers look to hire vets. If you have had "Top secret" clearance that is a plus is that will get you hired by a defence contractor or government agency regardless of your background. So try that route.
Good luck to you and thanks for your service from one ex-grunt to another!
Any other job is going to start you at the bottom of the income. Try a trade, i.e. electrician, HVAC mechanic, plumber. These skilled jobs will teach you a trade that will keep you employed everywhere. I know they are blue collar professions but it is honorable work and have a good employment future.

Answer 2

You only qualify for what your credit lets you borrow. And if your income doesn't justify a bigger loan, then the bank isn't going to take that risk. A VA loan sounds nice, but it usually comes with a higher interest rate since you don't have to put any money down. You might want to consider getting a regular mortgage so the interest rate will be lower, but you may have to put a down payment on the house. Or you could rent for a while to work on your credit, and get better established in your new job. You could also move out of the Houston area to find better housing. The advantage you do have is veteran's preference in interviews with companies. All you have to do is mark that you're a veteran, and the company has to call you to offer you an interview. Your wife should be working to help you reach your goal of becoming a homeowner. As for the Army helping out, they did for 9 years. You're now a civillian and need to adjust to how us regular people live. My husband spent 20 years in the Marines and still has trouble adjusting to civillian life, and he's been out for 6 years now. "Be all that you can be" as a civillian and you'll do just fine. Semper Fi.

Answer 3

Actually...all you can expect from an "Honorable Discharge" is a nice line on your resume, and the recognition of being able to tell a potential employer that you served with honor and dignity during your 9 years in uniform. Other than those few details, the majority of the hiring world could really give a darn, don't know the difference, and quite honestly don't even know or presumably care what this distiction entails..!! My advise would be to contact the very organization that you are claiming is not providing you with enough support, The ARMY, and inquire about potential civilian governmental employment within the agency, or an Active Duty reenlistment. You could do alot worse than to serve out your remaining 11 years, retire at the ripe ole' age of 38, and collect a few extra dollars for the rest of your life. The only true supporter of the ex-military "IS and ARE" the ex-military..!! Good Luck

Answer 4

I'm sorry to hear that you're having a difficult time. Consider going back to school on the GI Bill to increase your chances of obtaining a better job. I know it's hard to go to school, work and raise a family, but a higher education may be your way to a better paying job, even if you already have a Bachelor's Degree, consider a Masters.

As far as your home loan, $95,000 isn't going to buy much, but if you can get into a decent starter home, once it appreciates in a few years you can sell it and move to a larger home. It may take a couple of years to really get on your feet and live comfortably, but consider taking advantage of the GI Bill.

Personally, I don't think our soldiers or veterans receive the benefits they deserve. Thank you so much for your service to our country. I applaud you and wish you the best.

Answer 5

First, let me say thank you for serving in the military. I am sorry you hare having a difficult time.

Maybe you need to look at a different area for a home. Like a smaller community than Houston. Have you considered going back to school? You've made a drastic change in your life, it's going to take a bit of time adjusting.

Yes you dedicated a long time to the military but unfortunately they do what they do and you get what you get. And that's life.

Good luck with your new life. And give your wife and little girl some extra hugs.

Answer 6

Welcome to the real world dude You SHOULD stuck it out in the long run you would have made out. Very tough to find a company that with pay you a full vested pension @ very young age 37 and up. Any way no the army owes you nothing you did your time now get over it. This may sound like a surprise to you but you are not the 1st person to get a Honorable now as far as you misplace good dude that happens to ppl wheather they get out transfer or retire you have a yr to file a claim. Now the VA is who you need to vent not the Army they like you did there part. Again welcome to real life 101. Hey try working 2jobs that may help!

Answer 7

What would you like them to do?? Insure that your furniture gets delivered properly? Guarantee you a high paying job? Buy you a house???
You are having Bad Luck, not the VA's fault. I bought my house, in New Jersey, highest prices around, with a VA Loan, paid to move and found my own good paying job.
My son has done the same....used his education benefits, got a degree, bought a home and is living very nicely, thanks to the VA.
Sounds like you are looking for free handouts.

Your Honorable Discharge tells the world, you served your country proudly!!!

Answer 8

So your what, 27,28 years old. What did you do in the Army that you can't get a decent job?

Are you disabled?

I was in the Marines for four years and I am now a Conservation Officer and they didn't hardly even need an interview with me.

Answer 9

move to another place, their are a lot of people from south of the border their, they work for cheep, so their arn't any good paying jobs, and their are a lot of people that moved from LA. a year or two ago. your best bet is to leave the area!!!

Answer 10

You get VA benefits. Take your dd214 over to the local office and they can set you up.