Why Veterans Need Help?

Recently, I was invited by USC CIR social study meeting about veteran's and their spouse life. We had been discussed so many questions during the 2 hours meeting. I was thank you this meeting and let them know better about military family.

The group members were including Active Duty, Military Spouse, Veterans, and some Non-profit Organization. Some of members were homeless, and some of them were suffered the PTSD after the service in military. We shared so many ideas, and most of them were not recognized by government, or other local departments. Here I made a list:

Veteran Benefit: As I mentioned during the previously posts, veteran did have a great benefits after service for military as long as you got the honorable discharged. For example, the VA will give you the certain disability if service or non-serviced connected ( case by case); Education benefits, like GI Bill, Post 911, Voc Rehab, and etc; Federal employee program for disable veterans, and etc. However, it was still so many programs that veterans were not recognized. For example, some veterans had service-connected disability more than 20%, they could not find a job and did not know what to do. They never heard about the Chapter 31 Voc Rehab. I was attending to Voc Rehab 2 times, and every time just a few veterans to attend. I did ask some stuff, they inform me that some of the veterans were not known their benefits and felt scared to ask. I did see some veterans had been finished their service more than 10 years, and they were not even known they entitled the VA health care benefit.

Homeless Veterans: So far I only meet one person was a homeless veteran after serviced in military. I did know the VA did offer some programs and trying to help the homeless veterans. During the meeting, what I heard from her was completely different situations: the program did not help her at all, and the VA serviced was horrible ( I would explain later on). The story was full of drama. Somehow, I could see the VA system should be improved a little bit to help out the homeless veterans or their family.

VA Customer Service: As we know, VA is one of the greatest departments to take care of veterans. Somehow, I heard so many complaints during the meeting, and I did personally experience some bad moments about the VA. Sometimes I was wondered why the VA representatives were not professional at all. For example, when I was visited the local VA and trying to get some help about my VA benefits, the VA rep was explaining to me sounds reasonable and with no questions. However, when I visited him next time, he was telling me the different information, and I believe I was not the only one who got confused. One of the veterans was working with Non-Profit Organization. She put out a point that government was trying to cut the budget, ans as a result, the government just hired the contractor with no experiences at all. I was still doing some researched about this information, and would be updated it later.

School VA service: Well, this is my favorite topic, and I would like to explain more about the school information for veterans. Recently, I did visit couple Universities in Los Angeles area. I believe so many veterans would do some research about Universities before or after they separated. You will feel a big welcome when you open a page from school site, and say " thank you for your service, and welcome for veterans!" Yes, these school sites are full of welcome message, and tell you that how your decision is important for them. They even have some message to say they would accept some military credits and feel free to contact the VA department. Instead, when you walk in into the universities, you find out that is completely different situations. For example, the VA representative is not helpful at all. I said that because one of the Universities in Los Angeles ( I am not going to mention the school name this point) provided me an " excellent serviced". When I was asking this lady regarding the veteran student questions, or how to transfer and how I know the credits would be transferable. The Lady just told me to pick up the paper work on the table, and figure out by myself. By the time I was walking into Admission, or other student service department, all stuff told me that they did not know about veteran benefit, ans just told me to come back to VA office. Additionally, it happened to me in different universities. The VA Rep were not helpful, and they told me they just wanted to help the on campus student. Yes, I did understand your priority. On the other hands, so many veterans just wanted to understand how many credits could be transferable. All schools would almost give you the same answer: Please apply online, and once your application got submitted, we will review your transcript. Unfortunately, so many schools just could not keep their words. I did apply one university, and they reject my application. They did not state why they did not accept me. When I was physically walking into the school, they were not even told me that which credit could be transferable and I could be able to prepare for the next transfer period. For community college, they had the better service than universities so far unless they were really trying to help veterans to get a better education to transfer. I still did not understand why universities were lack of knowledge to help veteran who wanted to apply for schools.

We Need Help: Overall, we need some help. It is not easy to let a hero to ask for help because that needs so much courage to do it. So many veterans, including me, we feel we are from the button of the world, and no one is really respected to us. When we needed help, we just found out so many issues, and the information is confusing. I was not only one veterans who got a hard time to apply schools, but also needed some helpful information from VA or other departments. We wanted to know the better useful information, however, some of the information just full of rumors and let us confuse. I will keep updating sooner or later.

http://veteranfamily.blogspot.com/2013/04/why-veterans-need-help.html

Time To Make Decision

by the time i was back to home, my mum was explaining everything to me about these two recruiters. they were both serviced in US Navy. they told my mum how great the Navy was, and it was including the education tuition. of course, i was mad at beginning because i did not want to join any service at all. however, after i heard what my mum told me, i was changed my mind a little bit.

" you know our family is not as rich as other new immigrants. you are 18 years old this year, and going to college soon. the government is cutting the budget, and you know the education fees is very expensive. on the other hand, you mum lost a jobs recently......"

i think that was my first time to think for a long time. yes, we are not rich at all. i don't have money to buy a car, i don't have money to date any girls at schools, and i don't have any extra money to buy the stuff i want, even the basketball shoes. i feel a little bit shame when i am looking into myself from the mirror. all experiences so far in high school i was not happy at all. i don't want to be doing nothing at all and became useless. i want to get a stable income, i want to back to school, and have some extra money to enjoy my life and support to my family.

" may i speak to EM1 Tian?"

i still remember my recruiter's name. at least, we still keep in touch just like an old friend. he was driving to my house, and take me to recruiting station. the first impression about the navy, it was not that bad - nice uniform, professional customer service, and really outstanding military bearings. (of course, although i know that is not all the true about the navy later. i will update in the journal later on) i love the military uniform since i was a kid. somehow it might effect by the hollywood movie. all recruiters were so nice. they tried to explain all the benefits in the navy, and asking me to make a decision. during that moment, all my mind was thinking about was money. i could not explain how excited that moment-- all my thoughts about money. i needed it, i needed to back to college, i did not want to be a loser. and then i was looking around, i just recognized so many new immigrants, they were same situations just liked me. they either could not offer school fees, or needed to support to family. they were from teenager to middle aged. at this moment, i met up one of my best friends in navy, her name was called song. she still remained at active duty nowadays. she was a little bit order than me, and joined the navy almost the same reasons- school and family.

i did remembered the process about the navy was not that funny. woke up so early in the morning, and the recruiter would give me a ride to downtown military station ( MAP) to do the physical and computer examine. one of recruiter was EM1, i forgot his name unfortunately. he was telling me about his story when we were on the way to MAP. he told me that he was the same feeling before he joined the military, and he made a decision to join. he made some money, bought houses,  sport cars and had a beautiful girl friend. i was pretty sure that was almost every man's dream in the world. the power of money was getting stronger and forced me to think more about it.

finally, all the process had been finished, and i was invited to a room to swear to service the country. that was my first time to raise my right hand. i have a different feelings this time. some feelings that my future is completed change. it is full of challenges, and might get lost. when i think about the situation now, i believe that is no more other choice i can do so far.

" now everything is all set. congratulation."

after all process, i forgot how many paper work i had been signed up already. the first time career i choose in navy was HM ( Hospital Corpman). of course, i changed it later because of some reasons.

TO BE CONTIUNED..........

The New product Arriving!

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Thanks for reading my journal, i will keep updating! thanks for everyone's support!

http://veteransfamily.wordpress.com/2013/04/19/military-information/

Computer Reading Glasses

I did not update the blog for a while because I am busy to look for school recently. I am still trying to set up a plan for the future, and achieve to my goal.  One of my goals is finish my military diary. I wrote down every moment when I was serviced in US Navy. I did think about to make a book although I knew that was sound ridiculous.

Instead, I got some ideas about business, and just imported some glasses from the local supplier. It just started although it was not doing fine so far ( I think just start it less than 1 month, I remember). Thanks to my best friends who are trying to help me up, and never let me feel discourage again. We open the eBay store, and hopefully everything will be good to go.

Here is the product is called Computer Reading Glasses. I never wore any glasses in my whole life since I got them.  After I try out for a month, I did love them because I was working in front of the computer for a long time daily. This glasses is specialty design for Computer or Gaming. This Glasses can prevent for your eyes fatigue when you are working or playing computer game for long period. For example, used to be my eyes were easy to feel tired, or "dry" because I used computer too long. By the time I put on this glasses, I am feeling completely different: my eyes got a perfect protection, and don't feel fatigue any more. Moreover, this glasses is 0 description and fits for everyone. It has UV 400 protection,  Anti-reflective coating and Memory Flexible Frame. It is a really good item to protect your eyes although you don't wear glasses at all.

Here is the link to the item listing:

Click Here

This is my first time to try the business. If you have any good recommendation, please leave a comment for me, and I will do my best to keep working on it. Thanks a lot!

http://veteranfamily.blogspot.com/2013/04/computer-reading-glasses.html

BEFORE GRADUATION

during the high school senior, so many things happen before i graduate from high school. for example, my mum lost her jobs because the travel company was closed, gas price was raising, people were getting hard to find a job, and etc. Since i was only 18 years old, i was probably not understand how it would be able to affect me in the future. my mum was always complaint about the gas price.

" did you know? when your mum came to United States, the gas price was only 0.99 per gallon for the premium. but as you see now, the gas price went up to 2 dollars something. my paycheck could not support it too much."

it was fact. as we see the gas price now, it is always 4 dollars at least, and sometimes goes up to 5 dollars. everything in Los Angeles is getting more expensive, and so many people said the economic is going to down side.

somehow, some of my friends were making decision before they graduate. for example, some of friends decided to give up the education, and they were working instead of going to college; some of them were moving to other state, like taxes, las vegas, and even further away; of course, some of them still decided to get the higher education, and finished their degree as priority. i was lost during that time. i did want to go to college, however, my family could not offer it. we needed money to support the single family, and i did not want to make any student loan to pay it back. during this time, one of my friends made a big decision. he joined the US ARMY. when i was asking him why, he just told me that he wanted more experiences and education benefits. he was almost the same situation as me. eventually, he went to bootcamp, training, and went home during the new year. i saw him again and i was not still believe that. i was laughing at him, i would never join the arm forces in my life. he was quiet and did not reply to me. he was changed, was getting more mature than i was. personally did not like the military life, however, i was still falling in love for the military uniform. in china, everyone was talking about the United States arm forces. we knew the US had the strongest military force, and the most technology weapons in the world. i really loved the military uniform since i was a kid. i was always watching the hollywood movie about the military, and of course, sometimes i would be imagined i put on these uniform on one day.

one day, i went to a trip with my church. my mum was calling me urgent and i did not know why.

"today had two recruiters were looking for you, they were navy. "

i felt was annoying, and i told my mum i would never think about military. my mum was told me that came back home and discuss with her. i did not understand why my mum wanted me to join the military, i thought she had something wrong in her mind.

"here was the information they gave to me." my mum said. and she said they were chinese, and told her the benefit in the navy. i should be considered this decision.

"what was navy? and what should i do?

To Be Continued..........

http://veteransfamily.wordpress.com/2013/03/20/military-navy/

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fair and unfair

after i got so many questions in my mind, one of my high school friends took me to church. in the church, i saw so many new immigrants, most of them were chinese. they came from different parts of china, and we started to communicate.

” God is always with you, my sons.”

  this is my first message i got from the church, and of course, somehow i still believe it. it did help me a lot during the military service. for some reasons, i keep attending to the same church before i joined the US Navy. i learned so many things in church. i love people in the church. they are always happy, never worried too much. when they have trouble, they just keep smiling and believe the god will help them, and leave everything to him. as me, i still cannot be able to keep my smile daily because too many things happen to me.

  during the short 2 and half years high school life, i did my best to graduate and get the certificate. the first part time jobs during the high school is wedding set up ( not sure it is a right way to call it). my mum always saved money and tried to got as much pay as she could. i helped my mum to work, and share the money together. i was 17 years old during that time. the schedule was not stable at all. if i was lucky, i could make couple hundred dollars in 6 months. the job was pretty much physical work. i had to lift up so many things, and set up the table before the wedding. after the wedding, i needed to clean it up and then came home. i felt so fatigue after work, and felt asleep immediately. the second part time job was tour guided. i never forgot the the first time to become a tour guide: i had to face 50 people in the bus, and spoke a broken English. the trip was from Los Angeles to Mexico.  i started to do that when i was 18 years old. unfortunately, because the travel company was not good, i did not get too much pay, and the trip was always during the weekend. it was not fun to handle the 50 people every time, especially in Mexico, i got the bad language barrier.

  instead, i always love the stop in San Diego. i saw the USS Midway museum there. i took a lot of pictures, and imagine that i was a sailor. on the other hand, the reason i loved because i loved the ocean. i knew the US Navy had to deploy a lot, and could have a chance to see different marine animals. i wanted to smell the ocean, and tasted it in one day.

  unfortunately, the company was closed, and i became “unemployed” until i graduated from High school. i never forgot these moment in high school: the most classmates in my class are rich, and their parents always gave them the money. i saw the guys drove the BMW, BENZ, and other expensive sport cars to went out with girls and friends. although some of them were not rich, their parents still supported them a lot. when i was looking myself, i was single family, no money, not even had a used car, or so called “many girl friends”.

  “why it is not fair? did i do anything wrong? am i guilty? why thing is always not fair?!”

  i feel a little bit angry, but i have nothing i can do. i don’t know why my classmates’ family are so happy, and they are so successfully in school and other career’s life. i feel upset, and get a little bit lost….

  ” God is always with you, but why is unfair?”

To be continued. …….

http://veteransfamily.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/the-god-is-fair/

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THE LIFE BEFORE MILITARY

 Today is Chinese new year. Happy Chinese new year for everyone!

 I forgot how many times on sea and missing the most important holidays with family already. I did remember  the last time I celebrate the Chinese new year with family is about 5 years ago before I joined the US Navy.

  As a immigrant, I never forgot the date I immigrated to US. It was 8 years ago to flight to Los Angeles, CA by myself. The last time to celebrate with my family in China, and went to the flight during the next day of Chinese new year. I was here to meet up with my mother, and eventually started the new life.

  Things were not easy for me as the new immigrant. I needed to adopt the new environment, and went to the different schools compare to China. But somehow, the first impression for me was people's face. They were smiling, and I love to talk to them. They were so nice to me and tried their best to help me up. Fortunately, I was able to learn the English quickly during the high school. I started at 10 grade during the high school, and I did celebrate my first birthday in US- 17 years old.

  Some people is probably believe the immigrants are rich people, especially Chinese. I did have a lot of friends in China they were expected to immigrate to US in one day. They might watch too much Hollywood movies and other news. They think their life will be perfect when they were here. For example, one of the questions they would be asking: I heard you just working for one month and you were able to buy a car, and I heard the salary was good out there. It has a lot of opportunities and freedom than other countries! It is true you could be able to buy a car in a month when you had a job, however, depends what kind of car you want to buy, and your life style. I did explain this to my friends but they look like did not understand too much.

  The first year of the new life was gonna to kill me. Since English was my third language, I had to study daily to improve it. Thanks for the teachers and they help me a lot for my English. They were so patient. I almost imagined that I would go back to China soon after school. I was missing the people in China, the family, the food, and everything in China. I think that is normal for my age 17. Sometimes I have arguments with my mother and complaint to back to China's life.

  The life before military was not as good as right now. You can imagine this picture in your mind: I went shopping with my mother. We were shopping once a while. We saw so many beautiful clothes, video games, and shoes. Unfortunately, we could not offer them. We did not have a good paycheck to support our financial situations. I love playing basketball when I was in High School. I only change my basketball shoes once they were worn out. We were always choose the cheapest shoes to wear and save some money.

  " I was very jealous some immigrants. Why they were so rich? Why they got the perfect family? Why they were so smart? Why.............?" That was the famous question I was asking my mum when I got here. Yes, sometimes I was extreme jealous some immigrants. Their family was so rich. They got a nice house, nice shoes, nice cars, and everything. My school has so many immigrants. Most of their families were medium class or above. They changed the shoes and clothes everyday. They got a nice new car when they have license. They were so smart at school, and have a wonderful family. In the bible, and the church, people said the god was fair. Somehow, I never believe that was true. I got nothing when I was in US. My family was broken when I was 5 years old. We did not have a good car, and had to move around since I was immigrated.

  I did not understand all the happen in a sudden. I saw some young people were smiling shopping whatever they wanted. Compare to us, we were like no one else would be noticed. We keep walking, and did not buy anything. I remembered my mind was not happy although just less than half year in US. The famous questions still keep asking myself until nowadays.

  " Does the God fair for everyone? "

TO BE CONTINUED..........

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the navy drugs and other regulations

  I believe so many people, including the active duty members have been known the military drugs regulations already. The military's policy is 0 tolerance. The military has been changed a lot compare about 10 years ago. When I was still on active duty, I heard some sailors were discussing about the old navy. The old navy is lack of regulation. People can be smoking everywhere, and even using the drugs some times. But nowadays, it is totally different. You have to go to the certain area to smoke, and you are not allowed to use drugs at all. At the same time, the military is trying to be caught people DUI on base. The rule on base is different. The DUI is usually 0.08% in CA. But on my last command, if you are higher than 0.05% and you will be DUI and arrested at scene.

  For the New regulations nowadays, I am really love it and at least it can provide a better environment and security on base. However, I did see some people still rely on drugs, and DUI while they were active duty. Here is some conclusions about my opinions.

1. Urinalysis test.  I think everyone should be known this program. We also call it "P" test, or etc. The urinalysis test is randomly. You never know when is your turn to do the test. They will base on the result, and confirm that if you are drug abuser or not.

2. Blood test. I think that is rare happen ( from my experience) if they believe that you are using the drug, or you have some "unusual" signs. I did see one of the shipmate has been forced to use the blood test, and find out that he is using the drug.

3. DUI  on base. I did see some people get caught by DUI on base. They MA, or security use the same way as cops. You will be testing the same way-Catwalk, alcohol test, and etc.  But I did hear the new navy now is trying to use the different policy to control the people DUI on base. Remember, the DUI rate is totally different from civilian world. That is the result so many people get caught by DUI.

4. Don't use drug- The new drug I heard before I got discharged was "bad salt". People are using drug in military because of stressful environment. But remember, if you are using the drug, you will lose all the benefit in while you are in service. For example, if you get caught by using drug, you will be going to Captain's mast for sure. You will get demoted for 1 or 2 ranks, get half pay check for 1 or 2 months, restrictions, and force separate from military. At the same time, you won't get the honorable discharged, that means you will get a hard time to find a job, and even use the VA benefits to go to school, and etc. The DUI is the same thing. The military is trying to be punished people hard for DUI cases. If you get caught by DUI, you will face almost the same result but you might still able to stay in military. However, if that is related to car accident, and etc. You will face the military course martial and civilian's world's  course martial.  That is not worthy to do all the stupid thing when you are still on active duty.

  As a result, like the most captain said :" think about your family, think about your future, and never do the stupid things! If you drunk, call 511 or using the cab! Never ever to try the DUI, or any drugs in your whole life!"

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