Military Service?

[dhagerty40]

Being a Navy Almost Lifer, The DD214 only covers that enlistment. I personally have 4 DD214's and each only covers that time. Basically, every time you re-enlist, you are discharged, given a DD214 and then re-enlsted.

This is what I was told at least for Vietnam vets. after serving your tour, and discharged, you were placed on Inactive reserve and stayed on till you served a total of 4 years. I personally was placed on inactive reserve for 3 years in 1992 to fufill the terms of my Pension Buyout (which was the worst mistake i ever made). I also still have my IR card even though it has expired.

now concerning the Fakers: I have personally known a navy seal sniper and a marine corp sniper and They NEVER talk about military ops or about their jobs. I only knew the navy seal as he was retired and saw him numerous times in his uniform. The Marine corp sniper, I knew him 7 years before I found out he was a sniper. Both of them were Vietnam vets.

And just for the hell of it, I was a 'Twidget'

 

[DShortt]

Now that you mention that I think I got an ID card that said inactive reserve. Maybe another old navy here can verify that.

I don't know your specifications for old Navy. I was discharged in '92 and my last military ID states Inactive Reserves and had a pink background.

 

[KMart]

The change from service number to SSN was '67 or '68. I was irritated that my discharge paper (Aug 1968) had my SSN on it.

The Marine Corps held out until 1972. I got a Christmas early out on 12/13/71 and was still using mine.

 

[KMart]

Being a Navy Almost Lifer, The DD214 only covers that enlistment. I personally have 4 DD214's and each only covers that time. Basically, every time you re-enlist, you are discharged, given a DD214 and then re-enlsted.

This is what I was told at least for Vietnam vets. after serving your tour, and discharged, you were placed on Inactive reserve and stayed on till you served a total of 4 years. I personally was placed on inactive reserve for 3 years in 1992 to fufill the terms of my Pension Buyout (which was the worst mistake i ever made). I also still have my IR card even though it has expired.

now concerning the Fakers: I have personally known a navy seal sniper and a marine corp sniper and They NEVER talk about military ops or about their jobs. I only knew the navy seal as he was retired and saw him numerous times in his uniform. The Marine corp sniper, I knew him 7 years before I found out he was a sniper. Both of them were Vietnam vets.

And just for the hell of it, I was a 'Twidget'

AT or AQ?

 

[dhagerty40]

I don't know your specifications for old Navy. I was discharged in '92 and my last military ID states Inactive Reserves and had a pink background.

Per chance, were you discharged early due to Force reduction in 1992? might explain why you got the inactive reserve card.

 

[dhagerty40]

AT or AQ?

ET

 

[47WillysGuy]

The Air Force calls it AFSC, Air Force Specialty Code.

We’d ask for rate and or rank if you’re talking Navy!

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Not every veteran has a VA card.

I served 6 years in the Navy and don't have one.

The Navy does not issue a 'veteran' ID card.

Agreed. Retirees are the only people I've seen with military ID cards after being discharged.

Maybe disabled vets get ID cards after being discharged for regular VA visits? Not sure on that...

I served 4 years honorably and while i did have an ID card during active duty, I have never received any sort of ID card showing proof of service after my EAOS. My DD214 is the only way I can prove it because the date on my active duty card expired on my EAOS and therfor is not accepted as proof of military service. I was placed on 6 years of inactive reserve following my active duty enlistment, but I still did not receive any form of ID card even during the reserve time.

 

[karrarararararar]

Agreed. Retirees are the only people I've seen with military ID cards after being discharged.

Maybe disabled vets get ID cards after being discharged for regular VA visits? Not sure on that...

I served 4 years honorably and while i did have an ID card during active duty, I have never received any sort of ID card showing proof of service after my EAOS. My DD214 is the only way I can prove it because the date on my active duty card expired on my EAOS and therfor is not accepted as proof of military service. I was placed on 6 years of inactive reserve following my active duty enlistment, but I still did not receive any form of ID card even during the reserve time.

How to apply for a Veteran ID Card | Veterans Affairs

A Veteran ID Card (VIC) is a digital form of photo ID you can use to get discounts offered to Veterans at many restaurants, hotels, stores, and other businesses. Find out if you’re eligible for a Veteran ID Card—and how to apply.

www.va.gov

They created an ID a couple years ago.

 

[ISS]

Like I posted, either RA or US prefix to your service number. I joined the Army in May of 1968, and the next month the Army switched to the SSAN.

I met so many Green Berets and Navy Seals (the Navy) liars could not tell me what UDTs were at the Legion Hall that I finally quit them. My Father, 82nd Airborne WWII, gave me a VFW membership when I was home from my first tour for 30 days and headed back for those wonderful six month extensions. At least they had to show proof of overseas duty. I have fond memories of those days, mostly with a blood red '68 Roadrunner with the Hemi and a column shift torqueflite. I think I got eleven speeding and (my favorite) "excessive acceleration from an intersection" citations from Illinois' finest that month.

ISS
Sua Sponte

 

[M-61]

Not every veteran has a VA card.

I served 6 years in the Navy and don't have one.

The Navy does not issue a 'veteran' ID card.

No branch of the service does.
The Veterans Agency (formerly Administration) provides a card if YOU go to the VA.
Therefore many vets do not.

I’ll add that until 1991 the military did a great job hiding the VA. When you were discharged (4 active 2 inactive) no one handed you a pamphlet explaining your benefits. And it was not out of kindness. The largest manufacturers of Agent Orange ( blue, white, purple) lost the super law suit. That is how we get compensated for presumptive illnesses.
And the PACT ACT is basically smoke and mirrors.

 

[Rat Rifle]

To try to get into the system on your own is impossible. You have to go the DAV, American Legion, VFW, etc. they assist you in signing in or applying for benefits. Find one, take your DD214 and give it another shot.

This is TRUE ! Don’t believe anything the VA or military tells You, and NEVER GIVE UP !

 

[USMCDOC]

Rate in the USN.

NEC.. to which i believe has been completely changed now.. when i was in my NEC's were 8404 & 8406

 

[Ledd Slinger]

How to apply for a Veteran ID Card | Veterans Affairs

A Veteran ID Card (VIC) is a digital form of photo ID you can use to get discounts offered to Veterans at many restaurants, hotels, stores, and other businesses. Find out if you’re eligible for a Veteran ID Card—and how to apply.

www.va.gov

They created an ID a couple years ago.

Did not know that. Thank you.

 

[Walt Schmidlin]

Generally those who have been there done that don’t talk about being anywhere or doing anything.

 

[DShortt]

Per chance, were you discharged early due to Force reduction in 1992? might explain why you got the inactive reserve card.

Not discharged early but they did give me a parting 'gift'. Passed the exam and was promoted to E5 with the responsibilities that went with it but never got paid for it. For a year. Budget cuts.

 

[goodbadugly]

Try being a gunner on an AC-47 (Spooky)
Or ask all those guys you know exactly how they felt when they called for close air support. When you’re being over run and a gun ship appears is why some are around today.
“When you hurt enough to want the very best call Phan Rang……”

Want to say thank you guys that flew in "PUFF". Saved our asses a few times. Scared the hell outta the Dinks when you guys showed up. Brought some serious P with you.

 

[Propbndr]

Correct with the convoluted. eg: Prior to sometime in the 70’s they stopped with serial numbers and started by using social security #’s. Yes, a disaster. Never corrected. ( even though they were ordered to 10 years ago). But they will tell you they have no way to search a serial number. BS.
You know what, old navy is right, touchy!
If he’s claiming to be a Vietnam vet with a Purple Heart all I need is a full name. But then you have to remember the records are not necessarily 100% full or accurate.
‘Catch 22” was written based on this endless circle jerk.

The switch from serial numbers to SSN happened around December 1970. I know because I was in Navy boot camp. They said they were running out of numbers. I called bs on that because my serial started with the letter “D” followed by 6 numbers. By my calculations they had over 200 million numbers left. Because of identity theft, there was talk about going back to serial numbers. I am not sure if they ever did.

 

[David Milisock]

I didn't have VA card for over 35 years after discharge. Had to drive 65 miles to the nearest VA hospital. While I was there I saw guys that really needed the VA help. I never used medical benefits but did get a lot of discounts over the years. I wore my card out and applied for a new one a few years ago. Did it on line the last time. I got out in 67 and there were a couple mistakes on my 214. I applied for a new one a couple years ago. The new one didn't match the old one. Go figure! I needed my social and service number. It is a different process if you are applying for a family member.

My 214 has errors also but the stuff I need is correct. My VA medical care has been much better than the private sector.

 

[David Milisock]

This is a sore spot for me. I have no access to VA hospital benefits because of when I served and financial status. The only reason I wanted VA hospital access was for prescriptions when I was laid off and getting $600 a week in unemployment. Problem is, they used the previous years financials when I was working.

Gotta love the government. Here I am, an honorably discharged vet and didn’t/don’t qualify. I should have snuck across the border and then snuck back in as Pedro McGregor. Probably get treated better.

I find the rules difficult to understand, by that I mean what qualifications are required for what. Service connected disabilities are about all I can figure out.