For US Vets – Taking The Next First Step

Posted by ERUDIO in Inspiration on Jul 27th, 2010

Here’s a story about a friend of mine. True story.

Each wounded service member has his or her own story. The stories include what they have done in their civilian and military lives before their life changing injury, and then each confronts and conquers unique challenges. – Jason Burr

Back in the day, Viet Nam. He was a Marine major in G4 stationed out of DaNang. The generals were going to do a tour of the fire bases, so someone upstairs wanted fire extinguishers at each command post in case of “some intangible possible emergency”.

So he and his adjutant were in a Huey, (transporting fire extinguishers), when the B-52 strike happened. He never really knew about the strike. No one let them know it was coming or would happen. All he remembers now is the white light… and waking in a mass body bag… smelling burned meat.

When the bag was finally unzipped, his eyes couldn’t blink. Hands were pulling other bodies out of the bag, he could smell them, and he fought the paralysis and then finally, heroically, he managed to kick one leg. Someone said, “Hey, this one’s alive!”

Now, my friend swims one-armed daily. He never has quit on himself. He competes in swimming in the Senior Olympics, even though his left arm looks like a child’s arm and the left leg worse— that was the side of the Huey the B-52 strike was on. And he’s bald now too, because of the chemo for the agent orange cancer (that the powers-that-be finally admitted was real and was diagnosed last year.)

But, he never gives up, this Marine vet. His daily swim training for the games keeps him oxygenated, and he smiles more than his early-Alzheimer room-mate, another Vet, in the home where they live.

My friend has incredible courage. He got here in a blast of white light. And he got here because he got so much help after that blast.

And he got here because he never gave up.

hospital with disabled military

Wounded or not, a USA Vet should look to the Federal Government for help with a new start in life.

That’s one story, my friend the Marine officer. If you’re a Vet, you know how your story went.

Well, it’s not over. You’re not on your own, unless you want to go it alone. If you are disabled, they have programs, many programs for you. And if you can work, well they have programs for you too. And if you aren’t disabled, there are programs for you as well.

That is correct. The government that made you into a soldier now has the absolute moral— and legal responsibility!— to help remake you back into a productive civilian.

Legal? Definitely!

US laws define preference (and special appointing authorities) for veterans. Also, US federal agencies know that hiring veterans shows goodwill.

That’s why the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment VetSuccess Program exists. What is it? How can it change a veteran’s life and rebuild his/her future?

The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess Program is authorized by Congress under Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 31. (It’s often called “the Chapter 31 program.”)

The VetSuccess program assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs.

For Veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VetSuccess offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.

Services listed for the VR&E VetSuccess Program include:

Comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation to determine abilities, skills, and interests for employment
Vocational counseling and rehabilitation planning for employment services
Employment services such as job-training, job-seeking skills, resume development, and other work readiness assistance
Assistance finding and keeping a job, including the use of special employer incentives and job accommodations
On the Job Training (OJT), apprenticeships, and non-paid work experiences
Post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business school
Supportive rehabilitation services including case management, counseling, and medical referrals
Independent living services for Veterans unable to work due to the severity of their disabilities

So, are YOU eligible for VR&E VetSuccess Services?

disabled vets

Active Duty Service Members are eligible if they:

Expect to receive an honorable discharge upon separation from active duty
Obtain a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the VA
Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess services

Veterans are eligible if they:

Have received, or will receive, a discharge that is other than dishonorable
Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10%, or a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)
Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess services
Basic period of Eligibility

The basic period of eligibility in which VR&E VetSuccess services may be used is 12 years from the latter of the following: 

Date of separation from active military service, or
Date the veteran was first notified by VA of a service-connected disability rating.
The basic period of eligibility may be extended if a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) determines that a Veteran has a Serious Employment Handicap.

Depending on their circumstances, veterans will work with their VRC to select one of the following five tracks of services—

Reemployment (with a former employer)
Direct job placement services for new employment
Self-employment
Employment through long term services including OJT, college, and other training
Independent living services

Here are some ways to go, to get you moving in the right direction— where to get the help you need, to start building your new life—

Department of Veterans’ Affairs