Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

Where Are Our Veterans Hiding ?


Recommended Posts

Guest SharleahLynn

Where Are Our Veterans Hiding ?

*********************************

There are many veterans among us who are afraid to speak up about their service. I wonder why they fear speaking? You should be proud to reach out and let us know that you are here among us. It matters not if you had a good time of service or not. The fact is you served your country.You took the world on on their grounds .You played the game of letting the Armed Forces try their hand of making a man/woman out of you and showed them they failed in the task. You proved that you are your real self, and the Military could not change you from who you are.

Each Veteran needs to stand up and be recognised for the job they did , and not hide behind some curtain ,ashamed of who you are for some unknown reason . Be not ashamed of yourself, come forward and introduce you to the rest of our Veterans. We are here to help each other with our troubles and to offer one another a shoulder to lean on when it is needed. It matters not what type of separation one receives .What does matter is the fact there are those of us who took it upon ourselves to step up and serve our country as we could , the best way we could. Come on and let the rest of us know you who have not introduced theirselves as of yet.

SharleahLynn

Link to comment
  • Replies 212
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Charlize

    3

  • Bulldog1948

    2

  • Alyssa Deutsch

    2

  • SecretlyJessica

    2

Guest SharleahLynn

This is unreal , is there really that much fear about us ? Please Veterans , fear not , come join in here , let us here from you . SharleahLynn

Link to comment
Guest jessi72

Hello,

I'm Jessi and I was a member of the 1135th engineer battalion out of Jefferson Barracks, MO. I served in 91 to 93 and I was a communications maintainer 31V. I am glad to see others here and yes, I have been afraid to speak up. Not sure why, I guess it's just a me thing. I stayed stateside durring Desert Storm but got my share of sand out of radios. I am glad to see that I am not alone and that you all have a way of making everyone feel welcome. Thanks to all that served before me and all that served after. Because of you all we have a great country. I just wish they were a little more accepting of people like me (us). I guess that is it for now.

Thanks,

Jessi

Link to comment
Guest SharleahLynn
Hello,

I'm Jessi and I was a member of the 1135th engineer battalion out of Jefferson Barracks, MO. I served in 91 to 93 and I was a communications maintainer 31V. I am glad to see others here and yes, I have been afraid to speak up. Not sure why, I guess it's just a me thing. I stayed stateside durring Desert Storm but got my share of sand out of radios. I am glad to see that I am not alone and that you all have a way of making everyone feel welcome. Thanks to all that served before me and all that served after. Because of you all we have a great country. I just wish they were a little more accepting of people like me (us). I guess that is it for now.

Thanks,

Jessi

Jessica,

Like I told you in the chatroom, we are Veterans . We need to be respected as any other Veteran . We joined, we served to protect the same people wyho shun us , but we still go forward. Some of us hold our head very high and dare unaccepting people to open their mouth. Then there are those of us that are trying to maintain a low profile. I am one who dares unaccepting people to say something, lets band together and make all Trans Veterans the same as this. ......Salute SharleahLynn

Link to comment
Guest SharleahLynn

You all probably think I am trying to be some hardcore Bad Girl by trying to get our Vets to wake up and be recognized for their stepping up and doing a duty that many look down on . That matters not. I want to meet all of our Veterans in here and one day in real life. So please bring yourselves forward and be recognized , you have nothing to fear or be ashamed of . You did a duty, and are around to tell of it . Just think of those who cannot tell of their service and the price THEY paid so all others could be safe and free from some brave acting little hole in the wall country can come invade us . Think on that people, think long and hard about this . Then come be saluted and recognized . I am tired of begging for our unspoken Veterans to step forward , you all deserve to be noted for what you DID do. SharleahLynn

I am a prior member of the !st Cav. Div.

Link to comment
Guest VLee

I'll post once for you Shar. I didn't enjoy my time in and just don't like talking about it.

I was in from 86-7 stationed in Nurnberg, Germany with the 16th Eng. Bat. as a combat engineer. Nurnberg was nice though.

Link to comment
Guest SharleahLynn
I'll post once for you Shar. I didn't enjoy my time in and just don't like talking about it.

I was in from 86-7 stationed in Nurnberg, Germany with the 16th Eng. Bat. as a combat engineer. Nurnberg was nice though.

Whether the time was enjoyed or not is not my issue, what is , is the fact that all our Veterans need to stand up and declare the fact that .... "Hey, I served my country". I AM a Veteran because there are some people that would shun a

Veteran. There are spitters , name callers, and many other types that I cannot name right off. Although you may not have enjoyed the time you were in , at least be proud of the fact that you stepped up and DID serve your country, and you did it with honor and dignity.

SharleahLynn

Link to comment
Guest Bethany

I am a cold war Veteran, of 2 separate 4 year enlistments. My time in took place during what was considered a time of peace. I recieve no benefits from being a veteran.

/hugs Bethany

Link to comment

I have posted here a few times. I was in the service from 1971-1974. I also marched in the last 2 Vets day parades with American Veterans for Equal Rights. My three years of military service is something that I'm proud of.

Gennee

:D

Link to comment
Guest SharleahLynn
I am a cold war Veteran, of 2 separate 4 year enlistments. My time in took place during what was considered a time of peace. I recieve no benefits from being a veteran.

/hugs Bethany

Regardless of serving during the cold war or other time , you should have Veterans benefits. I would look into this if I were you hon, you have the right to get your benefits . You stepped up and served your country, so you deserve to have the benefits . Fight for them. I salute you for your service and dedication to keep this country free.

SharleahLynn

Link to comment
Guest Sheila

hi SharleahLynn ,

i joined the navy in early 75 but was kicked out within a year so i don't deserve reconition with these fine men and woman who completed their service. it's a part of my past but i was messed up when i was 17. my parents signed the papers to let me join. i have the upmost respect for our vets here and don't feel right claiming vet status.

sheila :(

Link to comment
Guest Nadeest

I am a veteran, Sharleah. I served in the USMC from 76 - 79, and then from 80 - 82.

Where Are Our Veterans Hiding ?

*********************************

There are many veterans among us who are afraid to speak up about their service. I wonder why they fear speaking? You should be proud to reach out and let us know that you are here among us. It matters not if you had a good time of service or not. The fact is you served your country.You took the world on on their grounds .You played the game of letting the Armed Forces try their hand of making a man/woman out of you and showed them they failed in the task. You proved that you are your real self, and the Military could not change you from who you are.

Each Veteran needs to stand up and be recognised for the job they did , and not hide behind some curtain ,ashamed of who you are for some unknown reason . Be not ashamed of yourself, come forward and introduce you to the rest of our Veterans. We are here to help each other with our troubles and to offer one another a shoulder to lean on when it is needed. It matters not what type of separation one receives .What does matter is the fact there are those of us who took it upon ourselves to step up and serve our country as we could , the best way we could. Come on and let the rest of us know you who have not introduced theirselves as of yet.

SharleahLynn

Link to comment

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

Link to comment
Guest SharleahLynn

I salute you Lt. Col. Cathie . You my home girl hon.

SharleahLynn

I am proud to in some remote way to know each of you . Even if it is only by your post here . Each of ya'll are very special people in my eyes and in my heart.

Sheila, How long you served makes no difference, the fact remains that you stepped up to serve . That takes more true grit than refusing to step up and doing what is right. I salute each of you for the fact that you each took it upon yourself to do your part to keep America free from foriegn powers overtaking us and destroying our freedom such as it is .

Never think you do not deserve recognition for protecting those who shun us for who we are.

SharleahLynn

Link to comment
Guest SharleahLynn
hi SharleahLynn,

thanks for the kind words. gives me a nice warm feeling inside.

hugs,

sheila

Glad to have you on board G/F. SharleahLynn

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...
Guest Donna A

The Iraq Vet's have help the RVN vets come out of the closet and be proud of our service to our country and not be ashamed of who we are! :D

Link to comment
Guest Chad Micheals

i'm a vet. but i'm also still in... i love being in and i'm hoping to do my 20 yrs...

i'm an army boy and prode to be in.... i'm in gremany.. i love it over here, i'm going to iarq in nov and i'll be coming home to my grl..

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...
Guest Valentine
I'll post once for you Shar. I didn't enjoy my time in and just don't like talking about it.

I was in from 86-7 stationed in Nurnberg, Germany with the 16th Eng. Bat. as a combat engineer. Nurnberg was nice though.

I served in Zirndorf in the 6th Bn 1st Artillery Brigade in 87-88, and yes Nurnberg was nice.

Sheila, unless you did something to deliberately get kicked out, you have nothing to be worried about. My eldest brother didn't finish his enlistment due to his eyesight, and I didn't finish mine because of a pre-existing knee problem.

Link to comment
Guest SharleahLynn

The fact remains that you all stepped up, did the honorable thing and served this nation to keep the freedom we all cherish intact. We all protected everyone in some way, even those who did not enter a zone of conflict. Take the time to think of those who stepped up , went to protect , and did not return to those loved ones left behind. Or those who have returned with limbs missing , or brains scrambled . They paid a huge price to do what some of us caught easy . Just food for thought . SharleahLynn

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator
The fact remains that you all stepped up, did the honorable thing and served this nation to keep the freedom we all cherish intact. We all protected everyone in some way, even those who did not enter a zone of conflict. Take the time to think of those who stepped up , went to protect , and did not return to those loved ones left behind. Or those who have returned with limbs missing , or brains scrambled . They paid a huge price to do what some of us caught easy . Just food for thought . SharleahLynn

A few weeks ago, we lost an area young soldier in Iraq. I think he was only 22, nice looking young man. The ironic part is that his dad,brothers,uncles and cousins are doing time in prison for murder,drugs and a lot of other different crimes. This young man seemed to be the only decent one in the family.

They had one huge funeral for this boy. Close 300 folks at the church. Then they had a 65 mile procession to the graveyard. There were flags placed just about every 3 feet along the route; close to 35-40,000 flags. There were approximately 75 bikers and 50+ cars. And, the highest honor was paid to this young man, when my friend - who is a Congressional Medal of Honor winner rode in the hearse with him. Old folks, young kids,vets and non-vets lined the hiway. It was quite an awesome sight.

We have a grandson,a Captin [ first wave into Bagdad] and his wife is a Capyin in the 82nd in Afghanistand.

Bulldog

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

SharleahLynn,

I have a personal question to ask you. I do not want to offend you in any way, so here goes. And, if you prefer to make your comments private, just shoot me a Pm. When you were in the service, did you know that you were intersexed? And, if you did- how did you and the military handle the situation? And,please, I'm not asking this to be a smarta$$ either.

Bulldog

Link to comment
Guest SharleahLynn
SharleahLynn,

I have a personal question to ask you. I do not want to offend you in any way, so here goes. And, if you prefer to make your comments private, just shoot me a Pm. When you were in the service, did you know that you were intersexed? And, if you did- how did you and the military handle the situation? And,please, I'm not asking this to be a smarta$$ either.

Bulldog

I do not look at this as being a smartass, just you are asking a valid question. While I was serving , yes I knew , but the Army did not, if they had known , they would have slapped a DD on me quicker than you can bat your eyes.Therefore , they knew nothing of my situation. But as all know , I was DAMM proud to step up and do my duty . I hope this answers your query.

SharleahLynn

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...
Guest Michele H

I served from 70 - 78 in the Army Security Agency - which later became part of INSCOM. I was really really in the closet then (would have lost security clearance in a heart beat). I was stationed at Kagnew station Eritrea, Sinop Turkey, Ft Mead and finally Arlington Hall. I was also in the reserves during desert storm. My unit was next up to go over when it all ended. I enjoyed my tours in Eritrea and Turkey and don't regret any of it.

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

Ok I have been a bit lax in my attention to this area of the forums..

I tried twice to serve our wonderful country and it ended the same way both times. 2 seperate contracts Intel analist and Air Traffic Control

The first time I was supposed to have a 6 year contract. The screwed part is during the 6th week of Basic Training I fell over someone during a morning run and injured my knee. I maid it past Basic to my AIT and was discharged there for that injury. When I got home I wound up seeing a Orthopedic Surgeon who found out that my Cartilage in that knee was torn and after the repair/removal of the miniscus and a Year and a half wait I re-enlisted.

My second enlistment{5 years} lasted longer but again I messed up my body this time tearing the rotator cuff of my shoulder and aggrivating the same knee injury. This time I actually completed my training but was discharged again under a Medical Evaluation Board because I could not pass a APFT test and Physical Therapy was not helping.

Of the combined 11 year contracts I actually served 2 years. There are times where I feel cheated and I really want to go back, but I know that my body will not wihtstand the beating that the training.

If there were some way to fix the genitic issues I have I would re-enlist in half a heart beat.

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   6 Members, 0 Anonymous, 175 Guests (See full list)

    • Vidanjali
    • AllieJ
    • Abigail Genevieve
    • Betty K
    • MaeBe
    • violet r
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.7k
    • Total Posts
      768.3k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,024
    • Most Online
      8,356

    JamesyGreen
    Newest Member
    JamesyGreen
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. Dillon
      Dillon
    2. Kaylee888
      Kaylee888
    3. lily100
      lily100
      (39 years old)
    4. Luce
      Luce
      (44 years old)
    5. Luke.S
      Luke.S
  • Posts

    • MaeBe
      Thank you for continuing to share your story, Sally!   Willa sounded like a grand friend, I'm sorry for your loss. :(
    • Abigail Genevieve
      Not all conservatives are for Trump.  I am far from thrilled he is running.  Just wanted to make that clear.
    • Abigail Genevieve
      Anybody willing to present the case for Trump? Any conservatives out there?
    • MaeBe
      Two words(?): Project 2025   Please provide links to the "political calculus" referred to, I'd be interested to know where this is coming from. It seems odd that anyone would be advocating to vote in a President that has stated that he will try to use the federal government to go after LGBTQ+ people because voting back Biden, that is not doing that, might cause some state legislatures to put forth more discriminatory laws.   LGBTQ+ people are not safe in a MAGA future.
    • Ashley0616
      It's awesome that you have had such a great friend in your life! I could only imagine what losing felt like to you. It's neat that you worked for the airlines. Did you take advantage of the space availability fights? My dad worked for Northwest and always flew every single summer except one where we drove from north Mississippi to Phoenix, AZ. My parents agreed to never do that again lol. 
    • Ashley0616
      The trans community won't be good under Trump at all. Biden is the one who has done more for the trans community than any other presidents. Last time Trump was in office he was at an LGBTQ rally and his support went quickly away from us because the majority of the voters are anti trans. He is going to get rid of our rights and also come after the rest of LGBTQ.  I don't know where you heard we would be better under Trump.    Trump unveils sweeping attack on trans rights ahead of 2024 (axios.com)   Trump Promises to Go After Trans People if Re-Elected (vice.com)   Trump promises to ban transgender women from sports if re-elected (nbcnews.com)
    • Sally Stone
      Post 7 “The Pittsburgh Years” When I retired from the Army, we moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania because I had been hired by US Airways to work in their flight training department.  The transition to civilian life was a bit of an adjustment, but I never really looked back.  At the same time, I was excited at the prospect of having more Sally time. But with work and two teenage boys in the house, getting to be Sally was a challenge.    The biggest issue in this regard were my sons, as they didn’t know about my feminine side.  My wife and I discussed, in great detail, whether or not to tell them.  If they had known about Sally, it would have been much easier to actually be Sally when I wanted to.  But I still didn’t know exactly where my transgender journey was going to take me, and this uncertainty was the primary reason my wife and I decided it wasn’t the right time to tell them about Sally.  Except for the convenience it would afford me, we didn’t think it was fair to burdened them with such a sensitive family secret if it wasn’t absolutely necessary.  If at some point things changed and it looked like I might be heading towards transition, my wife and I agreed we would revisit our decision.   Despite having to tiptoe around the boys I was able, with my wife often running interference for me, to significantly increase my girl time.  The nature of my variable work schedule meant that often days off occurred during the week when the boys were in school, and on those days, I took full advantage of the time.  Additionally, I had discovered a new trans friend through a local support group, and my wife, ever and always accommodating, ensured I had time for outings with my new friend.    Willa, my new friend, quickly became my best friend, and after only a short time, she and my wife became quite close as well.  With Willa’s help, I would soon discover that Pittsburgh was a very trans friendly city.  Together, she and I made the town our own.  We attended the theater, the symphony, we went out to dinner regularly, and I think we visited every museum in the city.  With Willa’s support and friendship, I was actually becoming quite the girl about town.    Willa and I had a lot in common.  We loved to shop, we had similar feminine styles, and we had similar views and feelings about being trans.  In fact, our frequent and deep discussions about transgender issues helped me begin to understand my transgender nature.  Having Willa as a springboard for all topics transgender, was probably as effective as regularly visiting a therapist.  I would never discount anyone’s desire to seek professional help, but having an unbiased confidant, can also be an effective method for self-discovery.    Exploring the city as Sally and spending time with Willa was instrumental in helping me understand my transgender nature, and would begin shaping my transgender objective.  My feelings about the kind of girl I was and where I wanted to go began to solidify.  Being out and socializing as Sally in a big city like Pittsburgh, taught me I could express my femininity without issue.  I honestly felt confident I could live my life as a woman; however, remaining completely objective, I just couldn’t see giving up the life I’d built as a man.   At that time, I was being heavily influenced by the concept of the gender binary, which had me thinking I had to choose between being a man or being a woman.  It was Willa who reminded me there were no rules requiring gender identity to be binary.  During one of our deep discussions, she posited the idea of enjoying both genders, something she was doing, and a concept that made a lot of sense to me.  I was already living the life of a part-time woman, so I simply started paying more attention to how that was making me feel.    One characteristic that was dominating my feminine self-expression (and it continues to this day) was that when I was Sally, I was “all in.”  When I became Sally, it was such a complete transformation that I truly felt like a woman.  The feeling was powerful, and if I had to describe it another way, I’d say it was akin to an actor, so into the part, they actually become the character they are portraying.  That was me, and I discovered that this level of depth was extremely fulfilling, and that feeling tended to last long after transitioning back to my male persona.  Part-time womanhood it seemed, was actually working for me.    Eventually, a job change forced me to move away from Pittsburgh, but the enlightenment I experienced while living there has shaped the nature of my bi-gender personality to this day.  Even after leaving, Willa and I remained the best of friends.  We had many more adventures, some of which I will detail in later posts.  Sadly, Willa passed away two-years ago after contracting a prolonged illness.  Her loss was hard to take and I miss her dearly.  However, I have so many fond memories of our times together, and because her support helped shape me, she lives on in my heart.   Hugs,   Sally
    • missyjo
      thank you dear. I'm constantly working at adjusting n writing off other people's judgment or input.   thank you n good luck
    • Abigail Genevieve
      Them's fighting words, but I intend to discuss this respectfully, calmly and so forth, in accordance with the forum rules.   Considering the one issue below in isolation:   There is a political calculus that trans folk may be better off under Trump than under Biden.  The argument goes that Biden has created such a backlash by moving so far to the left that red states, in particular, are reacting with a swarm of laws that negatively impact trans folk.  Some of his actions strike many people as clumsily forcing unwanted regulation on people, and some of his appointments, such as the luggage stealing bigender individual, have not helped advance trans folk but rather the reverse.  In a second term Biden would make things worse for trans folk because of the backlash and resentment his policies would create.    Trump likely would have negative impacts to trans folk, as he did in his first term with respect to the military, so it is a set of tradeoffs as to which is worse.   Thoughts?
    • Abigail Genevieve
      Can you dress androgynously? 
    • Ashley0616
    • Abigail Genevieve
      There are trans folk who pass better than some cis people.  People usually aren't on the lookout for those who are cross dressed.  As long as there are no multiple screaming signals and you don't draw attention to yourself you can probably pass better than you think. For example, if you walk into a bank in heels, however, and you DON'T know how to walk in heels, you will attract the attention of a security guard, especially if you are acting nervous. If you wear flats and just go to the bank and do your business like anyone else, it is likely no one will notice, except that there was a customer who was taller than most women are, but then there are tall women, and tall, broad shouldered woman.  I made the mistake years ago of thinking I had outed such, and knew she was a he.  Later I learned she had five kids, and her husband was bigger than she was.  Ooops.
    • Abigail Genevieve
      I don't know much about CNAs.  They report to an RN, right?  Can you somehow bring this up to the RN in a way that does not get your CNA mad at you? I'm not saying you should, but maybe that is a good course of action.
    • Abigail Genevieve
      This is the thing.  A month ago tomorrow is when I stopped wearing m clothing.  Today I feel great.  I do not have dysphoria when I am dressed as and I move as a woman.  I was just thinking about that because I was wondering if I would or will get hit with a wave of "you don't have dysphoria so you might as well dress like a guy. Less hassle with your wife."  Not that she is aware, to my knowledge, that these androgynous clothes are women's.  No desire to "flip", no feeling of need to, just happy identifying as female.  Speaking, in my deep guy voice, with female voice patterns, doing the feminine gestures that come naturally and without exaggeration and at peace.
    • Birdie
      Yes, my brother was born lactating due to absorbing hormones from my mum.    Of course she isn't a nurse, she is a CNA. She should however still have general medical knowledge.
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...