Where Are Our Veterans Hiding ?

[Guest MizMelissa]

I retired from the Army after 22 years of service as a 92G. I started my transition the last 15 months of my service while serving my second tour in Iraq. I even told my command about my transitioning. I was told to stop taking prescription medication without a prescription, but they did allow me to complete my time and retire. I have gone back to my unit, 296th BSB 2ID, since then. I was informed that some of the upper command did not want me to retire. They wanted to bring me back so that I could be discharged without benefits. My company commander fought for me, and apparently won.

I never have "fears" about telling anyone about my time in the Army. Although, most of the people I tell think I was a woman while serving. That's just fine with me

[Guest Donna Jean]

Melissa....

Welcome, Hon....

I'll leave your post here in the military area instead of introductions because it's relevant here...

I'm Donna jean (in the post above you) and I'm transitioning, too...

I'm so glad the they were'nt able to 86 your bennifits...that's good...

It really is good to have you here..if there is anything that I can do, just give me a shout.....OK?

Relax and enjoy yourself and welcome to the Playground!

XXOO

Donna Jean

Ex USAF

C-130 loadmaster

[Sally]

Melissa,

I was never in the service but I am so glad that you made it through your time and came back healthy.

I'll offer you some hot coco and cookies, we usually keep them over in introductions, but I'll go the extra distance for a veteran.

Wanting to bring you back so they could discharge you without benefits is so typical of our armed forces, about six months after WWII my father received a bill for about $16 for what he was 'over paid' during the war.

He was held over well past his rotation home while his unit shipped out a drunk and a trouble maker, keeping him to do all of the work - he learned put his feet up on the desk and didn't do anything else - next one sent home!

We owe so much to our veterans and yet we do so little to pay them back - the WWII Vets are in the 'notch' of lower Social Security Benefits - thanks for saving the world from the cup cakes!

The Korean Vets were basically ignored and the Viet-Nam vets had to stage massive protests just to be treated like people and then found out that most were exposed by us to an extremely carcinogenic substance (Agent Orange).

The first Iraq War, Desert Storm left thousands of vets with strange ailments that the military tried desperately to keep quiet and pretend that they came form somewhere else to avoid paying for treatment.

I can't believe that we as a people turn our backs on our heroes.

I salute you and all of our military forces, the powers that control the budget and deployment of troops aside.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Victoriaf]

Hi

I guess i will chime in here. I am a disabled Vet of the US Navy. I loved my time in, although i did use it to hide to some degree. Regardless some of my favoite memories are from my time in the Navy.

Victoria

[Guest Donna Jean]

Hey, Vickie....so we meet again! Happens a lot...lol

Well we've talked a little, but I didn't know that you are a vet! Good to have you here, Hon!

I'm ex USAF and a loadmaster on C-130's and C-141's....I got to see exotic South East Asia!

I hope that you get the time to look through here at the veteran forums...lots of good people here, but it seems that many don't want to stray into the other forums...

Nice to have you over here, too....

XXOO

Donna Jean

[Guest SharleahLynn]

Hello all.

Iam a ex-Army for a 2 1/2 year term in the Active reserves from 93-95 Admin Personal. I stationed at Kansas University ROTC unit.I then transfered to the NAVY for 4 more year. 95-2000. I changed MOS's to Aircrew survial equipmentman.(PR) I packed parachutes for the ejection seats on F-14's and F-18 Super Hornet's and worked on the pilots personal fight gear. I was stationed at VF-101 Grim Reapers in VA BCH, VA. For 2 years of this I was on loan to the Navy nation color gaurd and perfomiing drill teams in DC. For the other 2 1/2 years I worked with traveling AirShow unit doing any and all airshows or movies during this time.

During the last airshow I was part of I was working on a seatpan and stood up. AS I did the exhuast from another aircraft caught me and sent me flying down the fightline. I landed close to 200 yard a way. When I land on my bottom side, when I did I compresssed and shattered 3 vertrebras in my lower back. I am now partially paralyzed from my belly button down. I have little to no feeling and limited use of my legs. Up until that point I had planned to make it a career.

After my discharge and rehab, I went to work with Centex. The company that makes all flight masks and helments for the milltary for 4 years. I traveled to most bases duing that time for testing and custom fitting of aircrews.

On 9-11. I was visting with my old comanding officer as everything was starting in his office at NAS Oceana. I ended up stuck on base for the next 3 weeks. Myold comand treated me like I was still a member and I was proud to helping them in a time of need.

I am proud of my time I served and would not change anything about it.

I think if you were able to go through it again you would change just one thing. You would not stand up behind a jets exhaust again. Sorry for this sounding like some sick humor, it is not meant to sound that way at all . Its just that everyone would change something if they got the chance to redo their life . I salute you for your devoted service regardless . SharleahLynn

[Guest Donna Jean]

SharleahLynn.....

My "War" injury was a stupid thing that I did to myself....

On the concrete ramp at Ton Son Nhut airbase RVN I walked out the back ramp of my C-130 (only about 2 1/2 feet off the ground) and not paying attention I fell to the concrete on my knees...OWWwwwww

Well, there're still bad to this day! I just took some Advil for them this morning!

So, no purple heart for me.....just black and blue knees!....lol

Donna Jean

[Guest SharleahLynn]

Hi all , I do not mean to bore anyone , but thought I would try to shed a little light on my backround if I may.

Just a little backround on me.

I joined the Army, went to 5 different schools(yeah , had 5 different MOSs).

Had the chance to go to D.I. school, and did not know it.

Was asked where I would like my 1st choice of duty station(I said anywhere in Viet Nam).

Asked for second choice of duty station (again I said somewhere in Viet Nam).

Was told that I was crazy for wanting to go there, they refused my requests , said I was to willing, they only wanted people that did not want to be there. How screwed up is that?

Was active in the Color Gaurd.

Settled on being a Radio/Teletype operator.

I gained a Krypto Clearance.

Got sent to Ft. Hood , Texas

I did my time at Ft. Hood, was discharged under Section 4 (no that does not mean only half crazy).

It was called Qualitative Management. Which simply put , means they have to promote you or give you out.

My C.O. claimed the reason to be ..... failure to demonstrate adequate potential for promotional advancement.

Now ain't that a crock of bullfeathers?

Although I never served in a hot zone , or went overseas , I still took my service seriously , I was going to servre and defend this vast nation that we live in (regardless of how screwed up it was).

Yes, I did try to use the military to attempt to hide me , thinking it was some wierd phase and it would pass, I could not have been more wrong in that train of thought. I still had those inner thoughts of being in the wrong body suit crying out to be released .

After my release I returned to civilian life just to be shunned and spit at, ridiculed , and called names , just like people that was serving in the war zone.

I had thoughts of 'if they treat me (being a home bound vet.) like this , how would I be treated if the world knew of me as being different' ? I had to conceal myself once again. I tried marrying, that was a joke, was married 4 times , and each time I was totally miserable with doing the hiding thin . I was trying to please the world and say to heck with me. Bad move on my part.

Along the trail , I started my own business and it prospered , then had to close it down. Now I am on disability for a twisted vertabrae

and they say that I cannot earn not one penny or I lose my check. How screwed up is that ?

Now I just barely meet monthly bills , that does not include the luxury of buying food or other needs . I do have one room mate that does what she can in the line of food aquisition, (she gets foodstamps)

I do what I can to assist other transfolks that need help with a roof over their heads , help them line up therapists , try to do support meetings, and just be there for my sisters and brothers in need.

I hope this has shed some light on what is important to me and the so badly needed ability to not hide the real and true us as we are all human and need to be noticed as such. I mean , there is nothing different about us other than we got the wrong gender suit .

BE PROUD THAT YOU ARE ALL WHO YOU ARE! We each did our service to our country and did it with pride.

Sorry for rambling on like this , but had to speak up and provide some of my history. May the Gods and Goddesses of peace and prosperity go with you one and all

SharleahLynn

Again, did not wish to bore anyone with my dullness.

[Guest Donna Jean]

SharleahLynn

Not boring at all, Sweetheart!

I love hearing the stories of the other vets in our position...Many of us served in our armed forces.

Why Christine Jorgensen, one of the earliest Transwomen, served in the Army! That was in the late 40's!

Somehow for us, serving in the military makes our plight seem that much more desparate...we tried to fit in so hard! Many of us struggled for years with this ....denying who we were ..square peg in a round hole....wasn't meant to be...

Thank you for your story, Hon.....and your service to your country!

****HUGG****

Donna Jean

USAF

C-130

C-141

[Guest Dionne]

SharleahLynn,

I thought I would stand up and be counted. I spent almost 9 years in the Army. I also thought I could hide myself by doing all those so called manly things. As if that would really work. I really did enjoy the Army made alot of friends. They trained me as a medic then sent me to nursing school. who would of thought that I would end up that way. I am truely at home helping people. I am so happy making people feel good.

I want to thank you for your service since you have been doing all the thanking.

Take care,

Hugs Dionne

[Guest SharleahLynn]

SharleahLynn,

I thought I would stand up and be counted. I spent almost 9 years in the Army. I also thought I could hide myself by doing all those so called manly things. As if that would really work. I really did enjoy the Army made alot of friends. They trained me as a medic then sent me to nursing school. who would of thought that I would end up that way. I am truely at home helping people. I am so happy making people feel good.

I want to thank you for your service since you have been doing all the thanking.

Take care,

Hugs Dionne

Dionne , there is no point in hiding hon . It only makes things more painfull , and miserable for you . Trying to be something you are not sometimes results in disaster, so I am glad you made it past the manly thing the military tried to force on you . Plus , I salute you, not just you , but ALL VETERANS having served and are serving. SharleahLynn

[Guest Gloria13]

Don't forget many of the vetrans are so used to keeping this subject well hidden just to survive it is hard to trust and drop that vail we hide behind. I had to come out from behind that vail to change my ID card and at least the name on my records. I can't change my DD 214 to female because if I do it means my wife will lose her medical coverage. When she gets her ID cards renewed my name Gloria is on it as sponser but in the corner it is still marked male. I tried to fight this but I was told that until the Military changes it's views on gender reassignment it has to stay that way to keep my wife's coverage.

So we are still being held under the military thumb even after we retire. But I can live with that for my wife. God knows she has made so MANY sacrafices for me that this is minor.

Gloria

(Glo to my friends)

[Guest Stacey Nicole]

Hi everyone, I'm a lil late on this thread but I just joined the site a few days ago. I was an active duty US Marine 1993-1997 and served as an administrative clerk and Marine security guard at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan. I was also stationed at Camp Kinser, Okinawa and Quantico, VA. I joined the US Air Force Reserve in 1998 as a B-52 jet engine mech and in 2005 crossed to munitions. AMMO!! IYAAYAS! lol....I'm due to get out this September but I have enjoyed serving. Thank you to anyone who also served, I am grateful for everything y'all have done for our country. *hugs and kisses*

[Guest Kara Michelle]

Hiya! I served from 92-00 in the USMC with various units in various places. It is nice to see others like me here. For so long I have felt alone and ashamed of who I am. I have accepted myself and am now stuggling to get others to see me for me. This site is a very warm place for me to be with others qho are in my unique position. Huggs, Kara. Oh btw, I was denied re-enlistment because of my GID diagnosis.

[Guest Gloria13]

Hi everyone, I'm a lil late on this thread but I just joined the site a few days ago. I was an active duty US Marine 1993-1997 and served as an administrative clerk and Marine security guard at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan. I was also stationed at Camp Kinser, Okinawa and Quantico, VA. I joined the US Air Force Reserve in 1998 as a B-52 jet engine mech and in 2005 crossed to munitions. AMMO!! IYAAYAS! lol....I'm due to get out this September but I have enjoyed serving. Thank you to anyone who also served, I am grateful for everything y'all have done for our country. *hugs and kisses*

Morning Staci,

I spent 21 yrs in the Navy as a Corpsman. 68-69 I almost made 13 months with the 3rd Marines. My tour was shotened by a MedEvac. For 16 of those I was stationed with the Marines. Except for those 13 mos it wasn't bad. I wish they had changed the rules on accompanied tours back then but still enjoyed it. PS I crossdress quite a bit of the time when in the USA.

Gloria HM1/USN/RET

[Guest Steven22]

Served from jul 05 to jul 09 1st Tank battalion 1st Marine Division-29 Palms Ca. Proud to have served, and happy as hell to be out.

[Guest JCinDenver]

Served 82 - 89, 32152P Weapons Control Systems Mechanic on F-4 Phantoms, & TPS-43 Radar Systems. I was Air Force Reserves & Air National Guard. Nothing ever happened during that time (Faukland Islands was it!) Was already done before Desert Storm. F-4's are long gone, & the radar system was replaced by satellite.

[Guest susie]

Hi Everybody,

I served from July 1963 to June 1971 US Army

[Guest Kassidy]

Kassidy Here.

1st Mar Div. 9th Communication Battalion Support Company. Camp Pendelton CA now disabled and reassigned to First Civ Div. OooohRaaaah

[Guest Steven22]

1st Civ Div, Camp Couch, Recliner Battalion

[Guest Pammy]

Hi. My name is Pamela (Hi Pam!) and I'm a veteran too.

I served in the Navy from 1986 to 2002, when I was retired due to disease. I am 30% disabled and plan on demanding more money due to another condition that was masked by the first, but which I almost certainly had for a good ten years before nearly dying from it recently. Crohn's Disease for the first and Graves Disease for the second. I'm responding well to treatment now and hope to be around for many years yet!

I had a good time (mostly) while in the Navy, it did mature me. I was such a little nuts before joining! I did learn to be a 'man' in there, but that doesn't change who I am internally one iota. I did two tours in the Gulf, once for Desert Shield and one for Desert Storm. I was there when Marine Col. Higgins was murdered by fanatics. I was hoping to go blow something up. Anything, but nope. Just escorted more tankers through the straits.

I saw a lot of the world and took a lot of tours when we had liberty, so I got to see some things I will likely not see again.

I'm grateful for the opportunity the Navy gave me and I made the most of it. I'd go back if they called me. I'm proud of serving my country and I'm proud to stand up and be counted among the ones who answered the call. And I am also proud to be in such nice company as you all who served despite knowing who and what you are.

Thank you, one and all!

Pammy

[Guest phyliscd]

my name is phylisanne and i am a navy vet having served from 1964 to my discharge in 1967.i served at nas anacostia in wash dc and two years aboard the uss yorktown cvs 10 doing two tours off the coast of vietnam.love phylisanne

[Guest Tiffany Amber]

Hi All

I served in the ARMY from 1985-1992 and served in Desert sheild/storm. I was with the 82nd QM det out of Ft. Irwin, CA. My time I will never regret. I am also tired of hiding the fact that I was in. Still believing that I should be ashamed of my true self. Thanks to all of you how have spoken up about your service. I am also disabled from my time in. That is just part of my story. I will tell more as I become more comfortable with all of the girls here.

[Guest jackg]

SharleahLynn,

Thank you for your kind words.

Come on out and state your service with pride! Your words apply to you too! What outfit were you in? And tell us your duty stations and dates, and your MOS. Who knows, you might meet someone on this forum you served with!

I was in the Coast Guard, search-and-rescue and law enforcement in the Bering.

Jack

[Guest Donna Jean]

SharleahLynn,

Thank you for your kind words.

Come on out and state your service with pride! Your words apply to you too! What outfit were you in? And tell us your duty stations and dates, and your MOS. Who knows, you might meet someone on this forum you served with!

I was in the Coast Guard, search-and-rescue and law enforcement in the Bering.

Jack

Hello, Jack It's good to see you over here!

I'm a vet, too...I think that I mentioned that..

US Air Force...

1968-1971

1969-70 Vietnam

C-130 loadmaster...

Ah ...what times they were!

HUGGS!

Donna Jean