Advice/Comments From Retirees

Posted: 1 FEB 02: Free Retired Military Almanac (2001) - Electronic Version

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Posted: 1 FEB 02: Scams Target Veterans for Identity Theft

by Staff Sgt. Marcia Triggs

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Jan. 22, 2002) - An e-mail circulating about a retiree who had his identity stolen after filing separation papers at a county courthouse is no urban legend, according to Transition Center officials.

Soldiers separating from the military are now being advised to ignore the old recommendation to file their Department of Defense Form 214 (Military Discharge) with their local county courthouse. Instead, transition counselors are advising soldiers to safeguard their personal information to guard against credit fraud, said Deborah Snider, Transition Center personnel analyst at the U.S. Total Army Personnel Command.

Between 600,000 to 700,000 cases of identity theft were reported by the Federal Trade Commission in 2000. Identity theft is the fastest growing crime today, according to the FTC, and many victims don't find out that their personal information has been stolen until they are trying to buy a house or get a loan.

"I don't think anyone ever thought about this happening, which is the reason there are no provisions to 'unfile' records," Snider said. "This is a

serious problem, and soldiers are a prime target because everything is tied to the soldiers' Social Security number."

The victims of identity theft suffer tremendously because the burden of proof is on them, Snider said. It's hard to believe that a person's life could

be destroyed by this, she said, but it happens.

A Navy retiree learned that someone had stolen his personal information and established credit in his name when he received a phone call from a clerk at American Express saying that someone was trying to cash a $9,000 check in his name made out to a Muslim or Arabic-sounding name.

The clerk was suspicious and called the retiree because the address she had on file for him did not match the address on the check. After the retiree's case was investigated, he found out that a lawyer stole his identity. The lawyer also had a laptop with several thousand military names, Social Security numbers and other information on it. The common link between the veterans on the list was that they had filed their DD 214s with their county courthouse.

"Someone stole my identity, now I feel I am no longer me," said a victim of identity theft. "I reside in the pocket of a felon who can see that

she is allowed to steal me without penalty. She carries me casually, and each time she pulls me out a small piece of me falls away."

To help guard against identity theft the Transition Center is no longer placing Social Security numbers on discharge and retirement certificates,

Snider said. Anything that might be hung for display will not have a soldier's Social Security number on it.

When soldiers separate from active duty, Snider said the most vital document they receive is the DD 214. It contains their Social Security number and birth date. In the past, soldiers were advised to file the form with their local courthouse to ensure that they would always be able to get a certified copy. They need a certified copy to receive any Veterans Administration benefits.

Once the DD 214 is filed at a local county courthouse, however, it becomes a public record. Some courthouses have put this information online, and even more plan to do so in the future, Snider said.

"Our recommendation is to safeguard the form as you would any vital papers such as a will, marriage license or insurance papers," Snider said. "A safe deposit box would be a good investment."

Forty-six states now have identity theft laws, up from just three in 1996, according to the Federal Trade Commission. And many state lawmakers are considering toughening laws already on the books.

Under a new Montana law that took affect in October, the maximum penalty for identity theft involving more than $1,000 in gains is a $10,000

fine and 10 years in jail. In Missouri, identity theft is punishable by up to six months in jail for the first offense; up to one year in jail for the second

offense; and one to five years imprisonment for the third or subsequent offense.

Link to original news item:

http://www.dtic.mil/armylink/news/Jan2002/a20020122dd214.html

Posted: 1 FEB 02: Thinking About Retiring?

A little advice for those of you who think retirement is only something that exists in the future. If you don't start thinking about it now, what you think

you will be entitled to may soon be gone. When you're retired, it's too late. I'll admit, that I didn't think about retirement because I assumed what the

recruiters said was true would remain so, but there are so many hidden catches in the system that you don't know about. Start looking to your future and protecting your rights.

Many assume that you can walk from retiring in the military to another federal job (and the post office or civil service always seems attractive), but do you know that this is considered "double dipping", so you will receive retirement benefits from one? Do you realize that if you are a retiree with a disability that the pay of your disability is forfeited from your retirement check (in essence what this means is that whatever your percentage, you do not receive a disability check but that percentage of your retirement check is tax free, very inequitable in comparison to what is paid at the percentage rates)? Do you realize that some states retain the right to tax your retirement check on the state level? Do you realize that it is being considered that retirees who have disabilities be forced to choose between TriCare and VA? Have you look at cost of living raises that are enacted for retirees and realized that they are no where comparable to cost of living in relation to what you are paid?

There are many others changes on the table and if you are not aware of them, now is the time to start thinking about it, especially if you are in career

status. What you thought you were entitled to may not exist by the time you retire. You need to become active now in protecting what you have earned.

I know for myself, that I was drawn by the "free medical" that supposedly we would get for the rest of our lives, but remember, retirees do not get "free medical", much comes out of our pocket and you are the last one for consideration of medical care. If you are not careful when signing up for

Medicare (both the A and B plan), you can be denied hospitalization coverage.

Don't wait until it's to late to start thinking about retirement. Start now and join with the retirees who are fighting and protect what you have earned.

Posted: 11 Aug 01

If you are thinking about retiring in the near future do yourself a favor and try this: If you think that you qualify for a medical disability, go get your medical record and search for the first time you ever sought treatment for your injury. It may go back as much as twenty years. Pull each and every SF88 with any mention of your problem. Xerox these sheets and keep them in chronological order. Health records have a habit of getting lost (especially in the process of retiring). One disability that almost all veterans end up with is a hearing loss. Your hearing was tested in boot camp. Get that record and your final one from your retirement physical. If you sought treatment for a "knee problem" get all of the treatment records. When you claim your disability you must have this documentation!!!!!

Also civilian employers for the most part love military people especially retired veterans. All of the corps values that you strived to uphold are "gold" to employers. You got yourself to work on time, you wore your uniform correctly, you were always on time for appointments etc. All of these factors are exactly what employers are looking for. Also: when you complete your resume do not use military "jargon" or complicated phrases that they do not understand. Write it like you were talking to a civilian. Thanks: A retired Senior Chief

Posted: 13 Jun 00: "Military Benefits"

I am a retired military man (9 years Navy, 15 years Air Force) married a WAC while still on active duty in the Navy. Unfortunately my wife's military was cut short to raise our family. We have three boys and a girl, oldest son now a Navy retiree. In our day the girls were not allowed to remain in the service not even in the reserves once the family started. After our retirement from the service, my wife became an RN, worked and retired from the VA Medical Center.

I am one old sailor and airman who appreciated the ladies in uniform. Keep your chins up and be proud.

I do recommend that along the line you plan for your own health care after retirement. We have found government assisted care after retirement to be at the very best unsatisfactory and at times completely denied. Champus was a joke and we found our selves paying our own way about 95% of the time. We were fortunate, we both went to school after military retirement, were able to earn a good living and pay our own way. Just live fast and don't get old, at 70 we are fighting ageing every day. It takes hard work but can be done. Plan your future while you are young. If you haven't finished college go while you are on active duty. You can get most of it behind you before you retire. Save a few bucks just a couple of dollars a month will add up to a nice little nest egg in twenty years. Stick with your mate, he or she is as good as you will find. I love that pretty little WAC more today than I did when she out-maneuvered me in 1951. Best wishes and don't tell Mrs Wild I said I still loved her she might get the big head.

Posted: 3 Dec 99:

All I have Been reading on this page is VA this VA that Records ETC. Advice is this Retire while you are young and healthy. Get yourself a job with MEDICAL benefits Keep in good physical shape thru exercise. Remember you are a civilian now and most civilians do not care about your military service. So quit whining and enjoy the rest of your civilian life.

Posted: 31 Aug 98: "LET'S HEAR IT FOR US FEMALES RETIREES GO NAVY!"

I retired after 21 years as an LN1. Here is a bit of advice for present retirees as well as upcoming one...If medical care is a problem you CAN go to the nearest VA facility. I myself having been going for any and everything for over three years. They have provided excellent care.

2nd...I have found since retiring that most employers take one look at your military experience and background and you are either "over-qualified or want too much money". You make want to rethink your work optioins or maybe go back to college for a second career.

3rd. Us retirees are not entitled to unemployment comp because we have that little check every month. Don't get me wrong..I am grateful for that check. But a lot of people believe we don't pay any taxes etc. while on active duty or retured. How absurd. I was in 21 years and GA taxed me the whole time.

Well I will vent more later but if you have any questions you can E-mail me. I retired in 1992. Debra Alred Daudelin, LN1, USN, Ret. "daudelin@ellijay.com"

Posted: 8 Jul 98: "AVAILABLE TO HELP"

I am a 22-year Navy retiree. I retired as a Chief Navy Counselor and now work as a Transition Counselor/TAP Coordianator and know from personal experience and from dealing with these issues at work that EVERYTHING EVERYONE else has said is true. An additional comment would be that since you can't retire until you have 20 years, then you also have 20 years to figure out WHAT YOU WANT TO DO FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!! Try to figure this out within the last 2 years before your retire. Knowing what you DON'T want to do is also part of the equation. I identified this position (TAP Coordinator/Counselor) 6 months prior to getting out - but it took me 2 years from that point to actually get the job. Patience, persistance, perseverance and NETWORKING paid off and now I have my dream job!! I am available to assist any veteran that wants assistance. Feel free to contact me at: KennedyGD@everett.navy.mil" Good Luck to all! Gale

Posted: 1 Jun 98: "Final Move"

I have some advice for those women that are retiring. If you are currently enrolled in school seeking a degree, and wish to continue with that university or college, you know that you have five (5) years from that date that you retire to make that final move, and after that you have 90 days of temporary storage to seek your degree. You have plenty of time to think about that final move.

Posted: 1 Jun 98: "Retired and Still Serving"

I retired 5 years ago after serving 21 & a half years in the Army and I have to admit I MISS IT!!! All the advice listed above about medical records, schooling, copying military records, researching your military training, etc. is great - do it! The only piece of advice (actually request) I can give you is stay involved -- with veterans issues before Congress, with veterans service organizations (VSOs), and most especially with your local VA Medical Centers. Volunteer, visit veterans, listen to their stories, tell some of your own - don't be surprised if some of them give you absolute heck for being a female - I've been told "women don't belong in uniform" so many times at VA nursing homes - but what are you going to do, yell or argue back to someone 80+ with a trac tube in their throat? Just be polite, give them a human touch and smile. It'll be worth every minute you spend there - then go home have a glass of wine and cry your eyes out - it'll do you good! I served, I'm proud of my career, and I'm still serving - in any way I can!

Posted: 13 May 98:

I seriously recommend for those getting out of the service, (whether it be after a four year stint or a Twenty Four year stint..) that you do the following "BEFORE" getting out.

1. Ensure all your Medical records are up to date as well as Dental records, and everything that you have had a complaint about (physical) is documented to your satisfaction. (this includes your family if any). Also, ensure you make up a complete copy of your records before you get out, and maintain them yourself at home in a safe place.

2. If at all possible, try to take as much college as you can "Before" you get out! You'll find courses usually go faster and are sometimes easier to get through than will be later when you get out. Not because they are less taught, but because classes are usually smaller and more on a one to one basis. Also, most people whom say they will go back to school later... usually do not after getting caught up in the new routines of civilian life and such. It is also much easier (while in) to find out and get college credit for much of your military training you've already had! (not to mention a lot less costly!)

3. Obtain and keep a good record of all your friends, names, phone numbers, Occupations, and their home addresses and such (if you wish to maintain their friendship!), as later when you get out... it is very easy to lose touch completely, as well as lose those friends. Much of the time, you'll regret later not having kept in touch, or losing such due to their orders and military duties. If at all possible, get photos of your friends too! You'll regret later if not!

4. While in the service... research and write down (document) any and all training and experiences that you've had throughout your career! If you don't, you'll find later when trying to apply for a job or do up a resume... that you cannot recall a specific training name or equipment or such that you may have worked with. In addition... you also need to find out all (if any) training and schooling you've had which directly applies to the civilian world or is complimentary to such and the correct acronyms and verbiage used on both sides of the house. Why? Because much of the time, the military calls something different than what the civilian business world calls it, and knowing what same training and experience as the civilian side you've had, will help you an awful lot later when you are interviewed or submit that resume package! This especially applies to the computer world or high tech job positions!

5. Make sure you get a complete copy of all your Military records (SRB) before you get out, and make sure everything in it is updated and correct! Register your DD214 or discharge papers at an official branch of the government too or City Hall, in case you ever have need for it later. The small fee and time for this, is nothing compared to the hassles and trouble you'll save later if such records are needed.

6. If you are retiring after many years of service... make sure you join an appropriate group or organization after getting out (such as VFW or American Legion), as they have all kinds of assistance and help available for you later if you should want or need. It is also a great way to make new friends if you move to a new area where you don't know anyone, or am looking for new employment. The fees are small when compared to the benefits later!

7. When going through your uniforms, don't discard or throw them all out or sell them or whatever! Keep at least one or two complete sets. you'll find later that you are glad you did... (there'll be many reasons for this, of which may be different for each... but take my word, you'll regret it if you get rid of all of them!)

8. Last... Remember the good things about your time in the military.. FONDLY! Remember the bad things about your military experience... as a learning experience. And when someone asks you about it... be truthful!

I hope that someone out there reads and listens to this advice, and that it will help you prepare for and live a happy life afterward.

Good Luck all!
-GySgt DL (Ret)

Posted: 23 Apr 98: "Getting Ready to Retire Advise"

I retired from the Air Force after 20 years. Now, I'm working on my Master's Degree, using Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc-Rehab) through the VA. I've received a 60% disability rating from the VA. How did I do it? I had a National Service Officer from the Disabled American Veteran's review my medical records six months before I retired. He spent 2 and a half hours doing it, but I followed his advise to the letter. I requested service-connection for 17 items. I received service connection for 14 of them. There was a total of 80%, but the combined rating was 60%. I also applied for Voc-Rehab as part of DTAP during the TAP Seminar. Keep good records and make 2 copies of your medical and dental records. Make sure your DD FM 214 is annotated to send your records to the VA in the correct state. The Denver DAV office and VA has been wonderful to me--and I always remember to be nice the VA employees. Why? Hardly anyone is nice to them, so they appreciate it and go out of their way for you. Smile and be polite. If you let them do their job, it gives them a real lift and brightens their day too. The biggest key--Work with a National Service Officer. Good Luck.

Posted: 22 Apr 98: "Retired Too"

I also have retired after 20 years in the Navy. Some good and some not so good, but I glad I did it. I am concerned about the Tri Care program also. My concern is that so many people are having bad things to say about it. Well, I am here in southern Oregon and there is no military facility close by. I have found that Tri Care meets my needs just as well (or as poorly) as the bases that I was stationed. I got used to using what ever doctors were available than and now I have a primary care physician that will listen to female issues as well as any other doctor has in the past. (most of the time). Retired pay doesn't meet all the wants but it does cover most needs. Extras require a job. I am lucky right now and making a good life. Just remember to make sure all your bills are paid before you get out! Don't carry a burden to retirement.

Posted: 12 Jan 98: "Retired and Enjoying It"

Actually, I retired from the WAC in 1972. Since then, I retired from a civilian job and have been enjoying myself. I retired in Colorado Springs where we have Fort Carson, Falcon AFB, Peterson AFB, Norad and the Air Force Academy. So, hang in if you are considering retiring cuz it is worth the wait. Try to be of good cheer. -- Mary

Posted: 9 Jan 98:

I also recommend trying to get your medical records sent off at least 6 months before you retire, if possible. The VA is horribly backlogged and they estimate a 4-6 month processing time. I have called their 1-800 number weekly and gotten different advice from everyone I've spoken to. None of it contradicts anything anyone else has said, but together it's all making sense.

Posted: 14 Jul 97

I have recently retired from the Air Force and though they try to prepare you for the outside, it doesn't help too much, a lot of their stuff is for the guy and for some reason they forget about all the woman who have retired. I just went through the nightmare of applying for disability and a lot of the things I should get they didn't count because a set of my medical records didn't reach them, even though I had copies and submitted them it wasn't good enough. SO insure your records get sent, and insure they get them all. Adjusting is hard and it would be nice to have someone to talk to who is in the same boat as you and not male!

Note: Contact submitter through the Webmaster

Posted: 7 May 97: Retired and Happy

I stayed the 20 in the Navy and retired. I can't say I enjoyed all of it but the Navy was good for me. Now I have that check every month and it helps. I was married and divorced twice and had two children I raised practically alone. I'm glad I had a steady job and benefits through all of that. I also learned a lot about being independent, responsible and a good manager. As far as the "boys will be boys" attitude - it's even worse in the civilian world from what I can see. And there's much less that can be done about it. I retired as an E-8 and was a electronics technician. I left so I wouldn't have to worry about my ex trying to take my two sons if I went to sea. Otherwise I'd still be in and probably be an E-9 by now.

Let's hear from the voice of experience -- our retired women veterans.

Retirees and Tri-Care!!

Submitted 18 Nov 96:

My husband and I are both retired near Marietta GA. As there are only three military installations nearby we really had to do some research about Tri-care. First disappointment was that there is very limited information. Also discovered both by checking lists and talking with some civilian medical people doctors are backing out thick and fast because no one is getting reimbursed. I am able to get pap smear done at Dobbins AFB, but that is by calling at least three months ahead to check into the reserve weekend schedule. They hold a women's clinic on Saturday which is great if you work Mon-Fri. Cost of CHAMPS supplement is going up and up. So we have elected to go with the Tri-Care Prime. Had fun finding the primary doctor, but as there is not one where my husband works and his doctor used to be CHAMPUS but changed he is using his work health policy. Ladies check it out hard. It seems more every day that this Tri Care is going to make it worse for us, especially if you have had your doctor for a long time. Anyone have any info. My E-mail is Covert@netime.com

Many colleges will give lower level credits for military experience. Go back to college, you might be surprised how many credits you already earned.

Be sure to have a thorough review of your medical records with your base/post Veteran's Administration benefits advisor before you leave active duty. This will be paramount to the decision as to what kind of VA medical entitlements you receive after service. Make sure ALL your problems are documented -- remember if it isn't documented, it didn't happen!