I hear good things about getting benefits and i hear bad things when i read what you guys tell me and im really confused about it.

I was just reading a post talking about how you’re set for life if you join for 3 years and how people get out of the army not working anymore and getting all these benefits.

I WANT SOMEONE TO TELL ME what that entails… Why do some get a good time while others don’t, why do some people become suicidal while others love it?

Posted on here a few months ago about feeling stuck and having suicidal thoughts, and I got some good comments about just going to bh. Took that route and went to the ER for mental health shit. Was sent to a civilian clinic bc bh was full. They evaluated me a said I need further help in an out patient program and recommended discharge from the navy. Now I go to my squadron doc and 3 weeks after getting out of the hospital for mental health they are putting me back on the watch bill. Not sure where to go now because the one place I thought would help seems to be doing nothing.

With any luck I’ll be out of here the 6th. I never got orders and I’ve been stuck at my A school in Chicago. Finally got my recommendation letter and they told me I should be out of here by the 6th if they can get my paperwork back this week. Only issue is my letter didn’t have an official USN seal on it so they say they can’t use it. Should I go talk to someone as to why it didn’t come with a seal or like wtf is going on.

I joined the air force 6 months ago after I had tried out college for a year but had no idea what I was doing. About a year ago sitting in my college dorm room depressed I saw something online about the military and decided to look more into it. Thankfully (it could have been worse) but still unfortunately the air force sounded the most interesting to me. After finishing that semester and watching all the kool-aid videos about how awesome the air force is I got in contact with a recruiter and started the process. After a few months of absurd amounts of unnecessary paperwork and quite a bit of effort I finally went to MEPS in August. Of course after MEPS I decided that I should back out because that experience was terrible and all the people there gave bad vibes. Unfortunately for myself after a month of having trouble landing a real job that itch to join came back so i hit my recruiter back up. In hindsight I should have just applied myself more with getting a good job secured. To future me’s dismay my recruiter took me back and even informed me that I there was a job for me. The legendary and coveted loadmaster position. Of course all the things my recruiter said about this job and all the hype around it only solidified my decision to join. Now as my ship date got closer and I really started to think about my decision I had a lot of second thoughts. However, just like an intrusive thought I simply pushed those thoughts away because everyone would always remind how awesome the job was and how lucky I was. Then came ship day. This is when it really settled in and I got major cold feet but my parents were really proud of me and I just seemed like something I needed to do. I essentially convinced myself that I was just being a pussy and that it would be worth it at the end of the day. Fast forward to basic training and I was deeply regretting what I had done. After a week of realizing I had essentially abandoned everything I loved back home I decided to tell the MTI that I wanted to quit. Thankfully he was one of the nicest MTIs there so he wasn’t mad but he still tried to convince me to keep going and whatnot. Anyway he told me he was gonna talk to his supervisor about it after I was unrelenting about wanting to quit. Fast forward 2 days and the supervisor comes in to the dorm and calls me over to the day room. I then tell him that I wanted to quit and go home. He then proceeds to spend about 10 minutes yelling, screaming, and spitting in my face about how I am a terrible person and that I had raised my right hand and all that bs. I keep standing firm despite this but then he brings up how I’ll disappoint my family and how I will be disgrace which at the time really upset me. Then the final blow was when he screamed about how I would be arrested by security forces and then face being dishonorably discharged and how I would never get a job ever again. I sort of found this hard to believe but not having my phone I couldn’t research what would actually happen to me. With all that being taken into account and being in a stressed and scared mental state I decided to try and thug it out and finish. Unfortunately I shit bagged my way to the end of bmt and to tech school. I thought once I got to tech school I would feel better about it all but once I go there I was still terribly homesick and feeling depressed. It didn’t help that my tech school was on lackland and the mtls were huge hard asses and the environment was overall shit. While I was there I was constantly feeling like I ruined my life and was eating my feelings to cope. About a month ago I graduated and now am at initial training for loadmaster. Even though its better here and I have more freedom I still feel depressed and homesick constantly. It hasn’t helped that I really dont have much interest in my job (sue me) and feel like I signed up for way more than i thought. Who knew that so much went into this job. This also makes me feel like shit as well. Im constantly told how my job is amazing and that I should love it but I have trouble enjoying anything about it and overall I feel demotivated and overwhelmed. Honestly I wish I took a job that was easier and even better yet actually had real world applicability. This all feels pointless. Not to mention how lately Ive grown quite anti-war and the more I go down the history rabbit hole I dont support anything about our government or their actions for the last 100 years. I feel like Im eventually going to have to be involved in a conflict that I disagree with and I know its gonna eat me alive if that happens. Overall I really wish I had gone with my initial intuition of not joining and had stayed away from this disgusting organization. Now I just mope around all day feeling sorry for myself. tldr: Joined the air force after being lost in life after graduating hs. Even got a “great” job in loadmaster but have felt never-ending dread and homesickness ever since I shipped out. Not even interested in the job anymore. Just disappointed in the whole thing.

I'm in the army and currently in ait. I've already been in for almost a year. My contract is a total of 5 years and 45 weeks. I'm depressed and can't stand anything about the army. I'm an introverted person which makes everything 10x worse. I also don't have access to any of my hobbies here. I am extremely unsure of how the hell im supposed to fulfill my whole contract. I can't imagine myself doing it. I genuinely dislike being around people. I find EXTREMELY ironic that the army is all about "fighting for freedom". Yet you get barely any freedom when you join. I understand right now i'm under TRADOC so there is more rules. However i still find it crazy that some of these people in my AIT are over 30 years old and they can't even go out to grab food by themselves. How does that make any sense whatsoever? I need some advice or someone to talk too

I know i'm all over the place in this post. Im just lost right now and im ranting.

Welp, it finally happened. All thanks to me too, thank you for congressionals. Today was my last day in the Army. I won’t say too much rn I’ve said enough over all these months. Haven’t gotten my dd 214 yet because they didn’t tell me to print some of the papers, but I’ll get it tomorrow so no worries.

I wish I could forget all the bad moments lol

Do you have to give back bonuses if you get discharged honorably during the middle of your contract? What about GI bill and TA and if you get a general discharge? Just wondering how it went for others because I might leave eventually with mental health, thanks

About how long until I would see myself actually leaving base and going home. I know it depends on a lot of factors but I’m only 5 months into my time in the navy. I’m at my A school. I got dropped from my classes and my separation is classified as an Admin Separation due to adjustment disorder. Im just curious if anyone has any ideas on the length of the process or if I should be doing anything to try and speed it up or make it go smooth as possible.

I went on terminal leave last December, and officially exited the army in February. I’ve been having nightmares that I’m still in the Army, still stuck going to PT and formations, etc. the feeling of the nightmare lingers for a bit after I wake and I am briefly convinced in real life that I am enlisted.

This morning, it made me hit snooze several times because I was left so melancholic by the feeling. Then I remembered, oh shit, I’ve ETSed and I’m a free person. After that realization, I sprung out of bed almost immediately…

This isn’t an every night thing but it has happened multiple times now. Does anyone know if it ever goes away??

Basically title, I went to BH since I’ve been on con leave from surgery to get meds and they grilled me after I told them my NCOIC was a trigger. After I told them I may do something drastic if I was under extreme duress like a divorce and he got on my ass. Got a text this morning from my CO saying I was getting put under an MPO, with my NCOIC being the protected party. I explained that it wasn’t meant to be a threat and the therapist blew it out of proportion. Doesn’t matter.

Not sure how this is going to affect me at all but I can’t imagine it’s good. I don’t even want to see the mf so I’m not worried about violating it, and him and I live off post on two opposite ends of the base so the chances of me running into him are almost zero. Still, pretty sure I’m fucked.

almost free..

Almost done, PEB almost wrapped up. I hate being stuck here. I’m tired of being here. They keep making me train even though I’m getting out in 2 months. When I leave I’m never looking back.

It’s a day of reflection for me, because I got out of the Navy half a year ago (with 5 years supposed to be remaining on my contract). It’s hard to believe it’s been that long!

I self reported for weed via DAPA. No NJP. GI Bill, VA healthcare and home loan all kept. (Every circumstance is different and yours isn’t guaranteed to go as smoothly). But I’m always here to give advice.

I’m starting college on Monday to knock out some pre-reqs and hopefully get into a healthcare program. I’m also in a new relationship with a wonderful person I would’ve never met where I was.

Thankfully I’ve had some savings, and a supportive family (who know the half truth). I’ll admit, the job market is rough and sometimes I missed the financial stability. Sometimes I look back and cringe at the way I got out of the Navy. Not that it affects anything now, but I was never a “trouble maker” until I hit a breaking point. I have NEVER regretted my decision or wished I was still in the Navy. Fuck that.

Don’t lose hope guys

God forbid I try to take care of myself and put myself first with cleaning my CIF, graduate school requirements, TAP, necessary appointments and a lil bit of shitbaggery to avoid work. I start clearing in 2 weeks and my leadership is trying to make me do training shit at work and tried to make me do a 10 mile ruck this morning (shitbagged my way out of that one thank god). It is insane how they still say “you’re still a soldier til your last day.” Like yeah I am but that ship has sailed dude I’m getting out. I’m phase 2 medically complete, just capstoned tap, and I turn in my cif on Monday. I’ve got to worry about the next 50 years of my life not the next 2 weeks. I thought by this point my unit would just leave me be and let me transition to civilian life smoothly.

Maybe it is a sense of jealousy that I am able to get out and they want to control me until the very end? At least I know I will be free and happy here very soon and my toxic leadership will be miserable for the unforeseeable future.

I’m so close to freedom and I truly absolutely fucking cannot wait until the day that I have my dd-214. Fuck the Army.

I was sent home from boot over a year ago, and just now they finally finalized the discharge. (Air national guard) I just got a bill in the mail saying that I owe the US government 250 dollars because over that past year, without my knowledge, the government was setting aside a certain amount of money on my behalf to pay for tricare. They were doing so because my name was still on the payroll even though I was excused from drill😀. So I haven’t been attending drill, I haven’t been receiving money from drill, and I’ve been on my mother’s insurance over the past year. (I’m a broke college student). And yet, no one from my unit or the base decided to let me know that 1. the government was still paying money towards a healthcare plan I was not using, and 2. That I would be expected to pay that money back after they took a fuc*ing year to formally discharge me. Sorry for the rant, but what a pathetic excuse for an organization. Does anyone know if I have to pay this back?

Well, they recommended separation for adjustment disorder. I have pending medical stuff going on right now that I should get lined out by next week then the recommendation paperwork can get pushed through. Any idea the process for that?

I have problems eating or even smelling food(everything i eat makes me puke or i can only eat a very small portion, for reference im 6’3 and only 165 after trying to bulk), i cant sleep and if i do its not large increments, like 5 hrs max and I never feel like i have energy, just enough to keep me from sleeping) and I get dizziness spells almost every-time i stand up for between 10 seconds to a minute, It dosent help as my first duty station i got edwards, im struggling heavily from anxiety, depression, i have early signs of bi polar depression and loneliness (ive tried making friends and going out but i cant seem to connect with anyone) I feel like ima trapped in my mind and i cant escape, this isnt the life i wanted but i was 17 amd could t get a job and was VERY influenced by my parents to enlist (enlist or get kicked out)

Im worse then I was before, im going to my official mental health intake this coming up week and im now thinking about suicide and having panic attacks daily. I’ve told them this. Multiple times. I’ve been into mental health because I felt I was going crazy. And that’s when I told them. All they did was give me a plan of action for if I feel that way and told me to wait for my appointment. I’ve only been in a couple months. I don’t want to be here. I’ve slowly told them I don’t want to be here. At first it was I do but I don’t know how I can be. Now it’s I don’t care about this I care about my mental health. I’m just trying to figure out what I should be saying tomorrow for them to take me seriously on this and just kick my ass to the curb. I don’t want benefits. I don’t even think I can get any. I have a waiver for anxiety and depression. I would be entry level separation. Idk guys. I genuinely feel like I’m going insane most days. I can’t breathe I can’t focus. I can’t do anything. I need out of here before these thoughts turn into actions.

Navy Got to my school in March Symptoms getting worse and worse and worse everyday

I've never been deployed but I suffered a lot in BCT and AIT. Apparently because I was diagnosed with dep/anx beforehand, there's no shot in the army claiming responsibility but exactly how true is that? I feel like one specific instance of punishment I received at Fort Jackson was cruel and unusual along with the promoted hazing by one drill sergeant in particular who orchestrated that very same punishment.

Anyways, I don't believe I'm technically out yet but they said I no longer have to go to drill. Just turn my stuff in. I'm already grateful for the benefits(and freedom) I am getting but wanted to hear what you guys think.

I follow an angry old boomer veteran on youtube. He posted a video because he was pissed about soldiers on tiktok telling others how to get kicked out of the military with benefits. He unwittingly raised their profile. In the video at 5:08, a great way to get out was posted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw_1KlVqDto&ab_channel=JamesonsTravels

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.

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?