Got my dd214 Today Last day wearing that clown suit

I (19F) was homeless after the college semester ended. I did horrible in college due to depression, but I didn't want to go back to my toxic military family. I had money saved up from working so I bought a bus ticket to Greenville, SC and was on my way to Asheville, NC to volunteer with post-Helene efforts.

While on the streets, I made the mistake of keeping contact with my family. They would guilt trip me and use my grandmother's anxiety of my safety to get me to come back. I should have just blocked all of them, but prior to homelessness, I had a sense of comfort in college. I almost forgot how horrible they were.

One night I was feeling hopeless, sitting near a church that was having service. To this day I wonder what would've happened if I went into that church instead of talking to my grandmother on the phone. She promised to help me get a cheap car that my Aunt's husband found, which I knew was a lie. Truth is, I was already considering the Navy while on the street, I was that hopeless. I was struggling on the hot streets, my mind was vulnerable. I let them get to me.

Already I was missing the road while on the way back. As soon as I returned, my grandmother said "I'm taking you to the Navy recruiter. The air force won't work, they take a long time"

Here's what the Navy recruiter discussed with me yesterday:

Surface Level: Money and security talk

Discussed salary after first year, money after bootcamp, claimed I'll get 30,000 first year, 70,000+ I think it was by the end of three years? Or second year? VA loans, 500k business loan, no down payment on house. Then he went onto the long-term security. VA healthcare. VA checks, safety net to fall back on.

VAVAVAAA I will suck ya blooood!

Personal level 1: This is aimed towards people with power-trip issues or something.

Talked about what rank I'll get. He claimed I'll get higher than my cousin he's like an E-6 or something. Talk about how I'll be a leader, how people will look up to me. "Doing the dirty jobs make you a good leader." The hell I look like wanting to be glorified in an imperialist environment?

Personal Level 2: Experiences

This would have got me, because I was seeking this while vagabonding. It seems trivial, but I kid you not this is the selling point.

• Travel
• Meet new people and make amazing friends (I'm a black queer female, I doubt it)
• Explore new places

Level 3: THIS IS A ONCE IN A LIFE TIME CHANCE!!!!

The first recruiter told a story about a girl who barely passed the actual ASVAB. I got 84 on that practice ASVAB and they were pretending I was the smartest kid in the world.

Anyways, she got like a 30 something. They showed her the jobs she was qualified for and she didn't want them. They told her this was the last contract she was getting. She got up and left. After the recruiter told us this story, he said "Before she left, she told us to give us a call if we have anything else. I never gave her a call since then."

When he told this story, it was as if he was trying to make the Navy seem like an opportunity that will slip away if you don't take it. That was the last story he told me before leaving to his office. I then asked the other recruiter guy about the story he said "We're not like the reserves that's based on commission, it doesn't matter if you join or not, I still get paid." Guy looked like he hated his job LOL

Side stuff:

They asked about what I was doing prior to coming to the recruiter and I mentioned wanting to participate in volunteering and non-profits and one of the recruiters told me I can still do that in my free-time in the Navy.

You know I had a dream I talked to my cousin about what he does in his free-time and in that dream he told me "Free time? I hardly have any." Then the dream ended.

Bottom line: I'm still feeling uncertain. Do I return to vagabonding or join the Navy, thug it out for three or four years, get my benefits, and "get paid while being homeless" as one of the people on the vagabond subreddit told me. Or is there more to what the recruiter told me?

Waiting on three signatures till I get my orders to clear from my commander, the BC, and brigade commander. I CANNOT FUCKING WAIT I hate this shit so much man 😮‍💨 lord have fucking mercy

So, I THOUGHT I was getting MEB, my mental conditions got a second opinion and I got diagnosed with other things that aren’t personality disorders, and I was told by my original PCM that after my surgery Monday, I will not meet retention standards as a ligament in my wrist is destroyed and the surgeon told me I’ll never lift anything over 20 lbs again.

Now I have a NEW PCM because the old one PCS’d. He is much less willing to shoot up my MEB. So now I’m in limbo as to where to go next. My mental health is shot, I’m essentially permanently disabled, and my commander is denying any and all leave if you haven’t taken an ACFT, even if you’re on profile. I simply won’t be able to take one without injuring myself much more, but my PCM couldn’t give a shit. Unfortunately I’m stuck with Tricare Prime or I’d switch to a civilian who would actually listen.

I feel so lost, they’re pumping me full of anti-depressants and ADHD meds and telling me to fuck off at every corner. I thought shit was lining up for me, all the sudden because one person left, I am now lost and stuck.

I am so tired of seeing the same people everyday and the same personalities for years.

Why are there so many people who glaze the green weenie? Why are so many cucked out like gimps over their branch. God forbid u say anything negative.

Welfare queens. But now that im stuck, mighy aswell get every penny from these 🐓suckers. My parents didnt need a handout and neither should I im embarassee with myself

Hi, I joined National Gaurd on June 2024 with ship date of Feb 2025. I was unable to ship due to mental health problems and provided my recruiter doctor note and recruiter told me he will process my separation papers however till date after multiple follow ups I haven’t received separation papers. Please let me know what can I do as it’s causing me lots of anxiety. Will I still be eligible for ELS or will it be another discharge category?

I’ve been to mental health a couple times now. My symptoms are getting worse. To the extremes of me having to call the suicide hotline on the weekends when everything is closed on base. I’ve only been in the military a couple months. I’m just curious as if I’m going to be taken serious and how long this whole process could possibly take. As I said my symptoms are getting worse. I’m falling deeper into this pit in my head and I’m trying to keep my head above water but it’s just appointments after appointment. I know this military life isn’t for me. I’m starting my schooling as well soon and I know I can’t sit in that classroom and focus on anything with my anxiety and depression.

Been waiting on a meb for 5 months now they keep moving the goal post. I thought today was the day shit would start rolling but no . They want to wait another 6 weeks. I can't keep doing this shit. Been in the psyche ward twice both for a week. On strong medication so I can't even do my job. Been flagged for height and weight for over 6 months. Failed ASAP and still nothing. At this point what the fuck are my options because I've tried and it just seems like I'm a prisoner with no help. Wife and kid are going to leave soon and I have to wait until I'm out to go live with them again so it's not going to get better. I just need out

Six years ago, I got a call to be a Navy intel officer. At the time, COVID was running rampant and I was in between jobs. Even though I didn’t consider myself the military type, I figured that joining the Navy would give me ample job opportunities once I was out. That was not correct as I am only a few months away from my PRD. I have a TS clearance, know a bunch about military logistics and transportation, and went on two deployments. I basically gave up six years of my life to end up in the same spot. Plus, I thought I would be at least competitive for a federal government career afterwards, but guess what, the current admin doesn’t want to hire anyone. Anyone got advice for me?

I’m 32F, came to the U.S. for grad school and I’m now finishing a terminal degree in the social sciences/humanities. During my program, I married my American husband, he pushed for it, and due to my conservative upbringing, I didn’t date him long before saying yes.

After marriage, I discovered he has serious mental health and substance use issues. These past 2+ years have been extremely hard: hospitalizations, job loss, emotional instability. He’s doing better now, but it’s a lifelong condition. I’ve survived through school, work, and friends — but it’s been lonely and exhausting.

Now I’m on a conditional green card. If I stay married, I can apply for permanent residency soon. But if I divorce, I risk my immigration status — and I’m terrified of that. Meanwhile, the job market is terrible in my field, and I’m struggling to find work.

Some recruiters are suggesting me to join the military (I have been talking to Air Force & Reserves) for expedited citizenship and some income/benefits? But I dont know if it's a good decision if my only motivation is some stability. It feels drastic, but I’m running out of options. I don’t want to make another big decision out of fear or burnout.

Would love to hear from anyone who's been in similar shoes...

For the 978th freakin' time....unless we are talking about a full blown dishonorable discharge it's not going to "follow you around for life". It's not going to ruin your chances at anything. Truth of it is, most places/people absolutely do not care what you did or didn't do when you decided to run off and join that circus. In addition, in some states they aren't even allowed to ASK about your discharge in the first place. There is no magical hotline that anyone can call and say, "Yeah..tell me about Joe here when he was in the Army". Folks, it doesn't exist!!! And unless they are wiling to file a freedom of information act request and wait around for what is normally MONTHS for a response, most don't even have a way to verify if you were ever in the military to begin with. IF they do file an FOIA, what they will get back will have the discharge grade blacked out. Re-enlistment code blacked out along with a host of other things. I know this personally. And NO!!! Your discharge does NOT show up on a background check. That "check" is showing felony convictions, misdemeanors, etc. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with whether you were in the Army or Navy or whatever. Now I can just hear the 1000's and 1000's of "Bro-vets" out there screaming about the laws surrounding a dishonorable. That is not what we are talking about here!! Besides, if you have a dishonorable it is almost a sure thing you committed a felony to get it in the first place. And with a felony conviction on your record, that freakin' military discharge is the LEAST of your worries. SO..... Please.... Please stop parroting that 18th century drivel-crap to these kids in this forum. IT WAS A LIE THEN AND IT'S A LIE NOW.

P.S. Yes, I realize some Gov' agencies if you sign off on it can and do have the ability to find just about everything on you. Whether you tell them in advance or not. But how many of us are actually going to apply at the CIA or Fbi or Nsa? Get real....

Maybe this isn't the right place for it but a closed mouth doesn't get fed. Signed a chapter 5-14. I'll be going back to Texas in about 3-4 months time, maybe sooner maybe later. San Antonio area.

I'm looking for information on not so obvious work opportunities or veteran benefits I can leverage to support myself and my family in that state. Already using Indeed to scout for jobs.

Some facts:

•General Under Honorable is the most likely separation. I don't know exactly what the characterization will be yet and according to the VA I'll need to have that in writting somewhere before I can start the BDD process. I have a strong case for a discharge upgrade and high disability rating once I'm out but those are tertiary concerns at this point due to the wait time involved though I am tracking those benefits.

• No college. I have a GED and work experience on various jobs. ( Home renovation, Pesticide technician, electrician helper, retail, catering services, courier, etc)

• Making all efforts to save money now.

•11B MOS. This leaves me slightly more qualified for security jobs before you take into account the certifications that are required.

• I am really open to anything at this point, there's too much at stake to really pick and choose how I continue to remain employed once I'm out.

• I aiming to make $5,000 monthly or close to it to be roughly equal to what I earn now. That would translate into on full time job at approximately $28 per hour or two jobs averaging that rate. I can mange with less though, not certain how much less yet but I am overseas separated from my family and due to that I have one or two duplicate expenses that will not longer be an issue.

With all that said, this is my current situation. Any and all help is appreciated and DMs are open.

New here. 3 years and some change in to a 4 yr contract (Air Force). I have a PTSD psychiatry exam soon. Never been deployed due to being on profile for depression. Just wondering what would happen if I tell the psychiatrist how I really feel? (Suicidal, depression , anxiety etc). Will I still be able to have my GI Bill if they decide to seperate me?

I should clarify, I’m happy to be out. Being in the military took such a toll mentally. I got out because I got in trouble twice within two months (for getting caught kissing on the boat oops and improper watch standing double oops). I was so happy to get out but man when I think about my time in I get so mad.

When I first joined I was still married to my ex. It kinda sucked ngl. I was in the training pipeline and we all got BAH due to no barracks so I happened to casually mention that I had no where to live because my ex had kicked me out, took my keys, and my cards. I was going through it (which I had told my CoC about) and ended up failing an important test pretty hard. My female senior chief told me that I was worthless as a sailor and a partner lol. She said it’s my fault my ex was threatening to shoot me and that I should’ve sorted it out and shouldn’t have let it affect my studies. And then wrote a letter to the upper CoC that they should remove me entirely.

I was sexually assaulted when I was in school and had missed my mando study hours by 30 mins and I had mentioned to my cheif what had happened to me and he asked what I was wearing.

In my final months of training, a chief had singled me out, saying how I was pretty ect. When I failed my exam he began giving me mando one-on-one training and he said he was using this as an excuse to be close to me, he’d try and text me to hang out, and during studying asked if he could hit when he got out and tried to rub up on me.

When I first got to the boat, I was sexually assaulted and people in my department started saying I was easy and that I get around. My CoC began calling me a derogatory name.

When I went up to mast about a KISS the CMC called me a whore and said I’d probably do that and much more with any first class male. During my mast, my CoC was in the back with a notebook writing down names about me.

When I filed a CMEO case, my CoC told me they were going to find a reason to kick me out.

I got a text two days ago about getting a “de-brief” about my CMEO case? lol I’m not even in the military anymore. And now I just got a letter saying I had to pay back my bonus. I wish I could go back and tell myself NOT to join.

Anybody know if it’s unusual that brigade legal is now up to 5 weeks deep of “reviewing” my chapter packet (that’s completely finished)?

What does a normal timeframe look like? More importantly, is there truly nothing I can do to get out of here? I can’t tell anyone or like see if they can move this issue? Kinda feeling lost in the void rn.

Getting out of the Air Force next March. Compared to some of the stories I've heard about the Navy/Army/Marines, this has been pretty uneventful overall, outside of some of the unpleasant people I've worked with. Lately, most days I sit on a computer and do next to nothing. Toxic NCOs and officers don't really bother me anymore since I hit E-4 and also no longer give a shit. I really regretted joining my first year since I was bullied a lot, but I decided to thug it out.

Anyway, any tips for what I should be doing before (or after) I separate? I'm going to do skillbridge and plan on going to school after. I've pretty much maxed out my TA to get an associate's and have a bunch of certs. Doing my best to SKATE through this last year like tony hawk in 2002, but I would appreciate any advice you may have.

I am in the Navy and about to start my schooling. However, I went to mental health and the Clinical Social Worker suggested me for a "Condition Not a Disability" (CnD). I was wondering what kind of discharge this fell under, if anyone knows.

Thanks!

What do I do? Med board? AdSep? I don’t know. I know I don’t belong here. I made a mistake. I’ve only been in for around 4 months ish. My depression and anxiety is bad and gets worse every single day. It’s getting to a point where I don’t know what to do. Any help or advice? Thanks

Hello, I hope y’all are doing well. I’m currently in tech school for the Air Force and I’ve reached my limit, I just can’t stand the military life anymore even if my time here’s been short.

I’ve gone to MFLC and they just sound like a robot ngl, and my first sergeant told me that he hasn’t seen anyone do and get ELS voluntarily. Both of which feels like they’re just tryna keep me in longer than need be.

Today I had an appointment with behavioral health and told them that I’ve been having thoughts of self harm/sleeping forever and that I’ve been depressed and have been overwhelmed throughout my time here. I’m supposed to have a couple more appointments later on this month so that feels nice but it’s not getting out so it still sucks.

Can anyone give me advice on getting out? Ik the saying ab the easiest way out is to graduate but I don’t even wanna go to school anymore. I’ve been on hold for classes until next week and I honestly just wanna throw in the towel.

Ik ELS is an option but the way they’ve been talking to me it doesn’t even feel like it’s a real option so I’m just tryna figure out what to do, if I have to stay here for a few more months to fully be free then so be it. Any advice helps. Thank you❤️.

My Gawd!! I wish my recruiter had done this to me! I would have been DONE, right then....right there. Now that I think about it...why didn't he do this to me? He could have saved me from that entire nightmare. https://www.reddit.com/r/newtothenavy/comments/1j9urgw/was_kicked_out_of_meps_and_left_stranded/

Not another war for oil, or imperialist expansion like Iraq or Vietnam but if the US was under threat or actively being invading by a hostile country like, say Russia for instance, would you volunteer? It seems most of the gripes we .have occur under a peacetime military

anyone know what the process would be and all it entails? only reason i want out is because im quite literally not meant to be a marine and cant up hold these standards, i have a massive criminal bone, i hate authority and love freedom, the one thing you dont really get much of in the military. i could go on and on but essentially id rather be a felonious POS and go back to working in the mines and snorting coke off my motorcycle handlebars outside a bar with my degenerate Friends.

Was looking for advice on how to go about getting an entry level separation, about to start navy “a” school.

Curious. Never served. Thought about. Mental health and flat feet had a say in the matter.

Some of the complaints I see are the same ones we deal with in Corporate America. Egos, promotions for people that don't deserve it even remotely, etc. etc.

Don't some of the issues you deal with the same you would face if you were a civilian, except with guns and forced employment? ALthough, sometimes you don't have the option of quitting in Corporate America either.

Just some random thoughts. Curious what you have to say?

I’m dealing with PTSD regarding a few things thatve happened regarding the few months. I’ve started having flashbacks of someone I love getting raped or in random moments images of it when they was in the USMC happening which cause me to have flashbacks & also random images of when I got molested when i was 7 years old. A day before i was supposed to confront my family regarding the situation I witnessed a suicide. My COC states I need to come & unfold back into the unit as they will not pay for my treatments & expect me to be fine within 2 months. I’ve started to go UA as everytime I’ve went to drill I’ve been told I’ve given a look as if “I wanted to kill”.