Where Are Our Veterans Hiding ?

[Guest Michaele]

Yep we flyers don't get migranes, but I can describe the symptoms in detail.

Big Hugs

Shelley

[Guest roxannemariska]

Retired Army. Did Desert Shield and Desert Storm with the 82nd Airborne Division. Deployed to Bosnia. Fought my way up to Baghdad in March of 2003 and was back in Baghdad in October 2003. Now I'm a DA civilian at Ft. Bragg.

I'm guessing you were directing your encouragement to those already on this site Shar, but a TG was murdered in the street here in Fayetteville a couple of years ago. I'm proud to have served and don't have to prove anything to anyone, but the dominant culture is still violently hostile to us 'abominations.'

If anyone deserves to exercise their freedom to be who they are, it is veterans, but it can be dangerous.

[Guest Michellewhois]

Yep we flyers don't get migranes, but I can describe the symptoms in detail.

Big Hugs

Shelley

I had to giggle a bit about us not getting migranes. For several years I lived with my bottle of Excedrine in my lower right pocket. I got grounded by an Army Doc that after his initial physical and all the blood work, laughed and told me how he had spent his internship at the Air Force Academy grounding pilots for (what else but) migranes.

[Guest Michaele]

Yep we flyers don't get migranes, but I can describe the symptoms in detail.

Big Hugs

Shelley

I had to giggle a bit about us not getting migranes. For several years I lived with my bottle of Excedrine in my lower right pocket. I got grounded by an Army Doc that after his initial physical and all the blood work, laughed and told me how he had spent his internship at the Air Force Academy grounding pilots for (what else but) migranes.

I still carry mine in my flight bag, been able to BS my way through it for 32 years.

Big Hugs

Shelley

[Guest CarolynM]

Sharleah guess I should post. United States Marine Corps 1966 thru 1994 retired No I'm am not hiding nor am I ashamed of my service. Cathie

To all the service men and women. I know you do not hide from your service and battles. Being here is not a battle it is about you being who you are for a change. To many vets have served selflessly and served for the benefit of others, now it is your turn to have YOUR time for who you are. Cathie is right on the nail.

[KathrynJulia]

I served in the Army from 1973 to 1977. We had to put our tanks on a C5A during the Yom Kipper War and I received orders for Viet Nam that were canceled and was later sent to Germany. All in all, I'm proud of my service. Towards the end, I became very depressed and was referred to an Army Reserve Psychiatrist who I"m forever grateful to. He made me realize that suicide is never a solution. That it is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. He helped me realize that someday I would transition into the woman that I am. Thank God I told him the truth and he kept my transgender issue secret from the Army. I left the Army with an Honorable Discharge, my SGT stripes and my GI Bill benefits that I made good use of and that I earned. In Germany, we had a young/man/woman who left the Army while I was there. I saw pictures of him dressed as a woman and she was gorgeous. I remember how they humiliated him, but let her leave without going after her. When she left she changed out of her uniform. She was discharged in Germany as she requested, changed into a dress, perfect makeup and you should have heard the wolf whistles when she got into a cab. I laughed so hard because she had put up with so much crap and she left with the last word and with her dignity instact. She had class and like I said, she was gorgeous, no surgery. She had to be taking hormone therapy but I can't say for sure. Bobby are you out there Co B, 1/33rd Armor. You left in 1976. We were both company clerks.

KathrynJulia

[Guest rebeccaanne07]

I am currently serving, and have been since 1989. I have served in the Marine Corps and currently in the Army. I fought in the Gulf War with the 3rd BN 1st Marine Division as a machine gunner, then joined the Army in 1993. I am still infantry, have fought in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan and have 2 Bronze Stars.

I have served in some of the roughest BNs in the Army, I am Airborne Infantry, served as a Drill Sergeant, I am a Brown Belt in Jiu-Jitsu and Level II US Army Instructor certified. I currently am an E-8 and will make E-9 soon, once I decide to retire, I will gladly come out so all can see, Transgendered people can serve and do it well. For some reason they think we need all this counseling and are emotional wrecks, hmmmm, I did pretty well as a 1SG while leading Soldiers and Marines while in contact, so I think we are good.....

[Guest EmilyK]

I spent my time on submarines in the Navy from 1995 until I got out in 2007. Got out for depression and some physical issues that were related to my depression, but I was happy to serve. Never saw any real action, but did spend a lot of time overseas that I really enjoyed.

Em

[Guest freewanderer]

Hello all,

I served in the USMC from 86-92, stateside during Desert Storm and Desert Shield, bumpy ride in the military, but I made it out with a honorable discharge, wheww, where they threw me, never really complained. I was a USMC MP, E-4. Just wanted to voice myself and say thank you all for your service.

Vivianna

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

Hello, Vivianna....

Welcome to the Playground...

Thanks for your service........

Donna Jean ( an old Vietnam war C-13 loadmaster)

[Guest KarenLyn]

I didn't realize we were "hiding". Mostly, the question of someone's military service doesn't come up. I served in both the Marines and the Navy and retired in '95.

Karen

[Guest hidden_me]

I am Samantha, I served in the USAF 2003-2009 in Kirtland AFB, NM. My experience was overall pretty good. There was the usual military red tape that everyone that serves has to endure in your daily routines, but other than that I miss it. I have thought about going back, but I just don't see that in my future anymore. I didn't directly address my trangender identity until after I was discharged, although I did struggle with it while I was in. I would like to thank those of you that served both before me, with me, and will serve after me. many of you had to endure far more taxing things than I did and I respect you very much for it. Thank you. my heart and thoughts are always with the members and their families of those that are actively serving and deployed.

[Guest Guest_SL]

I posted my service here two years ago but had it removed as it was way too specific and more information than was prudent.

I spent just short of 30 years in two different branches. Loved every second and still dream I'm in uniform.

Best of all was going to sea and being alone with my boilers. I should have stayed there for my entire life. A boiler doesn't judge.

Retired in 2003 and my last unit turned it's back on me. I had serious medical problems as a result of an accident on my final deployment. The VA helped me and have been great. God bless them.

I saw an old post from an ex nav who left the service early and didn't count them self as a Vet. Girl, if you're still here, you're a Vet and don't downplay your service. I'd shake you hand and call you shipmate.

Thanks to all of you. You went above and beyond.

sara_lee

[Guest erica970]

Hi everyone,

I'm Erica, and i served in our military for two years before having to be medically dicharged for a blown knee during AIT. I was a Combat Field Medic for the 3rd BGD 24th ID, Mech Inf Div. I drove a M113A3 Tracked Ambulance. That was a blast!!! I never told or came out to the military until just recently for counseling and now, hopefully when I go back, we can discuss my options about everything and where to go from here.

Erica

[Guest crissy_oakley]

Not quite a veteran yet. I am till on active duty for 26 more months, then I retire.

[Guest Tasi]

I'm Air Force - Transportation Officer and Vietnam vet. 11 years service. Served in Thailand, Germany, and US. Spent 24 years overseas as ex-pat, military and civilian. I wasn't out then - too many years ago

Hugs....Tasi

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

Hey, how about that?

I'm ex Air Force....C-141 and C-130 loadmaster...

Vietnam in 1969-70.....

Hugggs

Dee Jay

[Guest HeatherNC]

I was in the US Navy 90 to 05 on submarines.

-Heather

[Guest SusanB]

USAF 76-80

Vehicle operator dispatcher

Castle APB, Ca.

[Guest SusanB]

AFB LOL

[Guest Crim]

Hi Shar, I just joined the forums and I am a veteran as well. I just retired from the Army after 20 years of service. Joined in 1992 and just retired this year 2012. I served in the Field Artillery my entire career and am proud to say so. Half my carrer was in Germany, and was also in Korea for two years. I am proud of being a vet and proud of all our vets out there. The regular population doesn't know just how hard military life can be, espcially for a TG!! The world of men and trying to hide out. Well I'm not hiding anymore, I served, I retired, and now it's time to move forward.

[Guest Crim]

Not quite a veteran yet. I am till on active duty for 26 more months, then I retire.

Congrats on your retirement coming up, I just did retire and wow, what a relief finally. Hope you enjoy it like I do. Nothing will hold you back.

[Guest AlanaMarie]

Hi, I'm former Navy with Vietnam service. Very proud of my service and of my transition to a better self. I've been wandering through the forum and really appreciate all of the advice given and experiences shared.

Hugs,

Alana

[Guest SonadoraXVX]

Just wanted to say and link up a response I made as "freewanderer" on March 22, 2012. I sorta like this screen name better, but its me, just saying, so as not to lead others I have "dissappeared".

Lucia,

[Guest Valerie]

Heather;

I was also on Submarines. I retired on May 5th, 2005.

Most of my time was West Coast.

/hugs

Valerie