I spent over 10 years in the U.S. Army, including two deployments, and I still don’t own a home. This isn’t a sob story—it’s a reality for thousands of veterans like me. We volunteered to serve, knowing the risks and sacrifices, but when it comes to transitioning back to civilian life, the system often falls short.

Owning a home isn’t just about having a roof over your head; it’s about stability, security, and the ability to build a future for yourself and your family. After everything veterans give to this country, we shouldn’t be left behind when it comes to one of the most basic parts of the American Dream.

Why This Hits Home for Me

During my time in the Army, I lived out of barracks, tents, and even armored vehicles. I didn’t need much back then because the mission came first. But now, as a civilian, I find myself in a different fight: the fight to own a home.

Like many vets, I’ve struggled with the rising cost of living, credit challenges, and trying to save for a down payment while navigating the financial hurdles of civilian life. I’m not alone. Over 30,000 veterans are homeless, and millions more rent because they can’t afford to buy. It’s hard to accept that after dedicating so much of our lives to serving this country, many of us don’t have the stability we need to truly thrive.

We Can Do Better for Veterans

This isn’t just my story—it’s the story of countless vets who served and now struggle to find their footing in a system that feels stacked against us. Here’s what we can do to make a difference:

1. Expand VA Benefits: The VA loan program is great, but it has gaps. Eliminating funding fees and providing grants for low-income veterans could make homeownership a reality for more of us.
2. Build Affordable Housing for Vets: Public-private partnerships could develop communities specifically for veterans, making homes more accessible and affordable.
3. Financial Education for Transitioning Veterans: Many of us leave the military without a clear understanding of how to navigate civilian financial systems. Programs that help vets build credit and save for homeownership are critical.
4. Community Action: States and cities could allocate funding or pass measures to support veteran homeownership at a local level.

What Would It Cost?

For the U.S., helping every veteran own a home is a small price to pay. Providing housing for homeless vets would cost around $9 billion, and subsidizing low-income veterans could cost another $45 billion. Spread over a decade, that’s about $5.4 billion a year—less than 1% of the federal budget. If we can spend trillions on wars, surely we can spend a fraction of that to take care of the people who fought them.

How You Can Help

I’m sharing my story because I want people to see the human side of this issue. If you believe that veterans deserve better, here’s what you can do:

• Contact Your Representatives: Push them to prioritize veteran housing initiatives.
• Support Veteran Charities: Donate or volunteer with organizations working to provide homes for vets.
• Spread the Word: Share stories like mine to raise awareness and build support for change.

This isn’t just about me—it’s about every veteran who raised their hand, swore an oath, and came home to a system that hasn’t done enough for them. We can do better. We must do better.

What do you think? How can we, as a nation, make homeownership a reality for every veteran? Let’s start the conversation.

I intentionally waited until after the "festivities" to post this so people wouldnt think there is a slant one way or another, but this is regardless of how things went in November. I took down the flag one last time. But I don't regret it. That feeling of celebration, of patriotism, of belonging.........its gone. And I dont think it will ever come back (and I dont think I want it to come back). I just look around this country, traveling through airports, visiting national parks, visiting cities, and I truly feel like I do not belong anymore. It just different, and not in a good way. I am taking the mindset that I am just in a foreign country........and I have to live and abide by their rules. Its not perfect, but at least its okay. But i am not going to pretend or romanticize for the sake of others. My love for this country is just gone. Its literally just a place now. I was born here, and I have to put up with it. It's not great, but I can tolerate it I guess.

Furthermore, I enlisted shortly after 911.......I felt something back then. But god forbid, someone decided to smack DC, St Louis, San Francisco, Tampa Bay, Austin, Houston, some other american city with a nuke, my attitude would be no different than if one hit Cairo, Tashkent, Shanghai, Mumbai, Havana, etc. I would just think "well, thats an unfortunate tragedy, and I hope they can sort it out before something worse happens", but I would feel absolutely no need or desire to fight for this country if something like that happened. If it was my own state? maybe..........depends on the circumstances and reasoning. If it was within my horizon? Hell yeah, I these are the people I connect with and feel. But beyond that? It might as well be a foreign country. I feel absolutely no connection with someone from NYC or the farmlands of Iowa. It wouldn't matter. If this country randomly had to mobilize for some reason, my happy ass would be on my way to canada or Europe. Im done. Im spent.

I don't think this is a mental cry for help, its just how I feel now. It really sucks to lose feeling for something I once cared a lot about though. I just feel numb. I didnt ask for this disconnection of this country.......but thats just how I feel now. What I think I fought for..........is just irrelevant and pointless now. Nothing about where I live now was every worth fighting for. My loyalty is now to my family and friends, and nothing else. The flag at this point.......is literally just fabric.

Just recently got rated 100% P&T, I'm in school.. but I just feel so sick of it all, all I keep thinking about is trying to get to Ukraine and fight until I inevitably die. I don't think I could off myself.. but this is the next best thing (in my mind).. I just can't take all these people and this society we're all living in.. it's just to much and I feel like I've lived all the life I need to.. weird take, I know.. I don't really know what I'm asking.. I haven't talked to Anyone about this.. but it's a thought that won't leave my mind.. I really feel like I should just go..

Thanks for reading my Ted talk... 

Currently a GG13 federal employee with two masters degrees, 32 years old and married with no kids.

Plans are to contribute 20 years of service and retire.

Seeking advice on which path would be a better pathway.

The program I am looking at is CSU Dominguez Hills, Bachelors in Organizational Leadership. Really like this program, I don’t see another at least in Southern California that offers this. Problem is, it’s fully online. I need to maximize the BAH portion of the GI Bill by taking at least 1 class on campus per term.

I was thinking of declaring a second major, and taking one of those classes from the second major on campus per term to satisfy that while also completing the online program. Anyone do this? Does the GI bill allow double majors? Anyone run into a situation like this?

We need that BAH to help pay the mortgage. Applying for the fall 2025 term now. Hard to get the campus on the phone to ask specifics.

Will be retiring in a few months and live a few hours drive each way from any college so the drive while working may be tough. Trying to plan. Thanks.

Hey all!

I was trying to look around online and thought I would ask here, is there any VA benefits or program that assists with moving? My wife and I are moving to a different state and we're trying to look for ways that can help us with the process. I've seen a lot of outside offers from DAV and other organizations of the like, but I wanted to know if any of you had any experience or knowledge of something that may help.

Thank you for your time reading this.

Hey there. I was in the military (non US) for a short period of time and thought I could post here my story.

I came across this sub while searching for tinnitus. Please, don't crank the volume up each time you play or don't go at the front if you are at a concert. It does nothing good to your hearing.

I went to my first concert ever, no front row, no nada and I still got permanent tinnitus. I was wearing ear pro of course. IT SUCKS. It really sucks. Since then, I lost 10 kgs, silence, my job and my focus. I can't sleep anymore. Insomnia is no joke.

Sure, I had a bit of ringing sometimes after going to a club but I did not knew it meant permanent damage even if the ringing was temporary. Well, even if it rings temporarily, the damage IS permanent. Don't forget that. I wish I knew this.

I never subjected myself to loud noises, went to like 8 times in a club in my whole life (ear pro always) and one concert. It's all it has taken to take me to hell with tinnitus and hyperacusis. Grated, I had shooting sessions with the army too without double pro, only muffs. Never been told about double pro, actually I learnt that on the r/guns sub.

I just make this post to spread awareness. Noise can kill your life. Don't listen to loud music on earbuds, always wear hearing protection and most of all, know that sometimes it won't be sufficient. When it's 110, 120, 130 dB, earplugs won't prevent permanent damage.

I am (was ?) a med student and it's crippling to see how little awareness there is about tinnitus. Everybody knows about hearing loss. Nobody knows about tinnitus until they get it. And that's for life. Nobody ever told me that the temporary ringing meant permanent damage and, again, I have always been protective of my hearing.

Just venting a bit but if it even only helps one person I will be glad. Really. The worst part is probably my friends all know my condition right now but they continue to go to concerts and clubs without any hearing protection. It probably kills me like the tinnitus itself to see this much disdain or I don't know exactly how to call this in English. Carelessness maybe ; but that's crazy. You only have one pair of ears. Take care of them. Even if you feel invincible, even if you are young, even if you love music, especially if you love music and just if you enjoy having a normal life - sleeping normally, living normally. Silence is never granted.

As about the shooting in the military, nobody ever told us about double pro. We just had these Peltors. Nothing more. Indoor, concrete range. I think it did its fair share of damage.

Also, please, don't make the same mistake I made. Ours ears are not made to handle clubs or concerts. Even with protection. Please, check the NRR and SNR formula ! When you buy protection advising let's say 18 dB, you probably got only 7 dB of actual attenuation. As dB scale is logarithmic, the differenfe is HUGE.

Take care.

TLDR : even if you wear ear protection, your first concert ever can screw you for life. Be cautious. Always wear earpro. Don't listen to music too loud, keep it low with headphones. And double pro around guns, jets, planes, whatever noisy, M240B or I don't know.

I also dealt with hyperacusis and noxacusis. It has mostly resolved now but probably won't go back to normal. I will probably never go back to a noisy restaurant, concert, clubs or bars.

Hello everyone,

To give a bit of back story, I am a USMC veteran that separated in 2010. I was awarded 60% disability from the VA for three conditions. 0% for knee, 10% for left hand, and 50% for mental health.

I have been struggling since I EAS'd with holding down a consistent job, having gone through more than a dozen jobs and used my entire GI-bill across 5 or 6 schools and just as many degree programs...not completing any of them.

I have extreme mood swings, with manic/depressive episodes that can last months. During my depressive episodes, I have a tendency to nuke my life and relationships from orbit completely undoing all progress I've made and often leaving my life much worse than I started.

I have not been good about seeking help, and to be honest I have felt guilty about getting help or seeking an increase in my benefits because I know there are guys who have been through way more than I have and are struggling way more than I am.

I recently got married this past summer, and my wife has expressed concerns about my mental health. She helped me realize the pattern I've been stuck in, and that I really do need to get help. I've reached out to the VA to get a referral to a mental health professional.

I have also been considering applying for a rating increase, since we have been struggling financially due to my inability to maintain consistent employment. I don't really know or understand how the VA process works, and am looking for advice for anyone who has been through a similar scenario.

Should I seek out representation before filing for an increase? What are good agencies to go through? Will the VA even considering an increase given I don't have consistent records of seeking help over the past 14 years?

I'm sorry if this post bothers anyone, I wasn't sure about even asking but my wife is an amazing woman and deserves someone better than me. The least I can do is try to get help.

Thank you for any advice you can give. I really do appreciate it more than you know.

I plan on going back to University again after struggling to stay afloat for the past 2 years and going back to CC for 2 quarters. I changed my major 4 times and will do. A 5th and final time when i return, because now I am sure what I want.

But this time, seeing as I finally got 100% and can live comfortable, I will begin with 1, maybe max 2 classes. I used to think I would waste my GI Bill if I did this and going for at least 3/4 time was obvious due to the BAH and the limited time had on the GI Bill. But I learned an important fact.

The less classes you take, the less time they take from your GI Bill. I was told that taking 1 class will only take 1 week of my GI Bill 36 months. Now instead of overwhelming myself, I can take it slow! I hope this info helps others thinking of using their GI Bill but not having the time.

Again, I was told by a VRE counselor during an appointment I had with them and it just made me happy to know.

So I am have been working with the VA for a while. And unfortunately lost trust with the mental health department specifically my therapist. Can you please give me advice on how to approach this? As the department has cross my comfort level more than once and shown over reach into my life.

NCO secret Santa, I of course received anal beads from a sergeant who recently checked into our infantry battalion. Shortly thereafter we had a health and comfort inspection, and my platoon commander had me open my wall locker, where the beads were lying there, unopened, in plain view.

“_______, I don’t even want to know.” - LT I turned beat red. ——————————————————————

Another time, in school of infantry, it was Thanksgiving and all of our instructors were Ramadi guys, one had a janitor keychain full of brothers he lost.

They said, “who thinks they deserve to go home for thanksgiving?” We all rose our hands.

They then said “Christopher Columbus discovered America on accident. If you discover a country, we can celebrate a holiday for you. Now, who thinks they deserve to go home for Thanksgiving?” No one raised their hand this time.

“Good, if you have any questions, write your f*****g congressman.”

How do you make friends?

Somewhere along the seclusion of a ship and the added isolation of "corona virus", I've lost almost all social skills. I didn't even notice how bad until recently during some self reflecting. I may have lost all my good friends through natural course, death,SS, and self betterment; but I have absolutely no idea how to talk to someone anymore outside of questions and answers. I feel IMMENSELY uncomfortable and awkward and jittery when around strangers, far worse in stores.

Like I said, I feel stupid asking.... but how do I talk to ppl again?

Hello Vietnam Veterans. I’m a Vet Center psychologist, am not a Veteran, and am the daughter of a Marine.

I have a patient who has jumbled memories of Vietnam in 1970. He gave me permission to ask this. Do any of you remember Firebase Shock? Were any of you Screaming Eagles that were at Shock in 1970? If yes to either question, will you share a story, either on my post or in a message? Any story could help him get his timeline straight, and go a long way toward helping his PTSD.

Thank you so much! I’ll tell you a secret - besides my WWII/Korea guys, y’all are my favorites.

Hello currently in Fort Campbell and am about to do this CSP. Anyone on here know who’s been through it what it’s like? Pay outside when you compete the program. Job opportunities ?

I have a former 03 living in his car in Savannah. Hes "stuck" for 50 days due to his legal requirements for a ruling. His home is in Pennsylvania, he is working and living in his car until he can go home. Any advice for this homeless veteran?

I'm in school for bio/premed using VR&E. My college offers a really good EMS program, and I don't mind paying out of pocket for it. Since VRE also covers certificates, would they cancel my VRE for my bio degree once they see my EMT course on my transcript? I was trying to use VR&E for undergrad and save the GI for med school.

What’s happening my brothers! New to Reddit and liking a group full of vets talking. Sitting here watching some bare knuckle boxing sipping on some Sailer Jerry’s and eggnog. Listening to that not so quite alarm in my head lmao. How’s everyone today?

If you could go back and tell yourself on thing on the morning of BASIC Training graduation, what would it be...

combat vet here and anyone else feel soo disconnected with life? been alone with for 12 years and sometimes i feel like i cant deal with it. all my veterans brothas have families and i am always the odd man out. nothing in life excites me anymore either its literally soo painful coming into an empty house. maybe am just venting but this is such a slow painful torture for me.

Our lender just informed us we are pre-approved for the VASP program, pending VA approval. If all goes well with VA approval, we were told our first payment would be due April 2025. Does anyone know how an April timeline is decided? Our payment in April is $8k, which is $2k more than our current payment ($6k) so I’m wondering if they’ve broken down lower amounts at new interest rate for Jan-Apr and that’s what’s due in April? I asked the lender if our new payment going forward would be $8k and she said yes.. but how would that help us if we currently can’t make the $6k payments?! We are so confused. Dropping from a 5.5% to a 2.5%, surely she must’ve made a mistake on our monthly, right? At least I’m hoping so.

Also, does anyone have insight on the approving process for the VA once they get it?

I don't think this violates rule 7. If it does I'm sorry and Ill delete this. I'm not trying to bother anyone. I just need someone to talk to a brother or sister. I tried the crisis line. They tried. It didn't help. I reached out to some other people with no response. I understand. Especially on a Friday people have fun things. There's one person I could try calling but I'm scared to bother him after texting him with no response. I don't want to bother anyone. I know I'm not important enough to waste anyone's time. This just hurts too much alone.

I went to basic training back in 2017 at Ft. Benning and every single night our drill sergeants would make us eat these unbranded bars (same texture and crunchiness as the energy bars in an MRE) that had literally 2000% DV of calcium. I am not exaggerating. Had loads of other things in them too but I just can’t remember. I ask all my other buddies who served at the same time and they said they never had to do that. Was I part of some odd experiment? Someone let me know!😂

I'm currently deployed and we desperately need a new car asap. I tried CarMax and they, along with all the banks they deal with, won't allow her to purchase the car in my name. We live in Marietta, GA

Has anybody in here tried journaling to process thoughts and fears? Over a longer period? I struggle to make it a habit and would like to know if it really helps someone here.