16 Years After the Service and Still Unemployed

Railroad Momma · 04-20-2009, 21:02

I grew up with a strong work ethic, yet since leaving the military, I am still unemployed after 16 years. As an MP in the Army, I loved my job. However, I did not want to continue in that field as a civilian police officer (medical issues) and had to pursue other employment interests. I had very little work experience before joining the service and no higher education. I did what most do after the service and collected my unemployment checks, while actively looking for work. I was able to get a few low-paying jobs, but nothing serious. Within 3 years, I was diagnosed with type1 Diabetes

, which made looking for work even harder. I began my initial claim for a Va medical disability and went to school through VocRehab. I earned a BA in Sociology. I graduated in 2000 and still couldn't find any serious employment in my newly acheived field of study (no help from VocRehab). Most wanted a degree as well as a couple years of experience before even considering me. Depression set in and the Diabetes worsened along with other physical conditions, enabling me to finally achieve a 100% disability rating (after 5 years). I lost out on getting a social security disability by not applying early enough and another 7 years later I still have no job. I get by financially, but the strong work ethic I was raised with leaves me fealing like a failure to me and my family. Anybody else have this issue?

mom6 · 04-21-2009, 01:12

Your story could be mine. When I got out of the Army I was an MP too. I did not want to work in the field any longer because I had small children. I have also gone through Voc Rehab. I now have a masters degree and still can not find work right now. Things will get better hang in there.

HRA916 · 04-21-2009, 09:25

I got out of the Navy in 04'. I haven't been employed for very long either. My biggest job was the USN. I blame my unemployabilty to my years of substance abuse. I am in recovery now and Voc Rehab just approved my schooling for the 2nd time. First time was for medical coding and billing online. I completed the 9 month course and took the CPC exam. I had no idea what I was doing and did not pass. I met w\ a Voc Rehab counselor after that and she said that I should forget my coding career because it was never going to happen. She suggested I go back to college and get a degree. I was just approved to go back to school for the Addiction Studies program and would like to get my CADC.
2 weeks ago I had a job interiew at a inpatient rehab and was offered per diem and maybe one day a week. This is great because it is a job in the field I want to pursue. I am very grateful! I am waiting to hear from them so I can have my physical.
But, I will say that you have to be so persistent and keep bugging these VA employees. From having such low self esteem all these years I would let these VA "nobody's" ignore my phone calls and treat me like an addict. I am now drug and alcohol free for almost 3 years and they see a major difference in me now. I deserve schooling just like everyone else.
Hearing that you all have degrees and can't get employment scares me. It is a shame that most VA employees are NOT veterans. It should be the other way around. Months ago I applied for 2 VA jobs but was turned down. Even with the 10 point preference. It seems like they only hire the bottom of the barrel, right off the streets. It is also about who you know, but that is with almost every job at there.
Well, time to eat some ice cream and watch America's Next Top Model. Funtimes!!

mom6 · 04-21-2009, 09:38

Not a all VA employees are bad but when you find on that is not they are a pain in the B-----. I have applied for several jobs at VA and I just got a masters degree in what they were looking for (Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor) but was turned down found out later a man got the job and they had to move him out to Oregon from some where in New England. I have two classes and practicum to do to get a CACD. I have to find the money to do this. A says I have used up all my educational funds. I will figure it out soon, I hope this will help. Hang in there something will come along soon. We can keep each other strong through this site.

LadiRoze · 02-02-2010, 09:56

I don't know if this is anyones cup of tea, but you can search in your state for an alternative teaching program and use your degree if bachelor or masters to get a teaching certification. There are all kinds of programs out there that you can enter and you can either go through teacher training for 1 year before you actually teach as a 1st year teacher OR you can enter program they help you get a teaching job, you work as a first year teacher as you go through the program.
Most of the programs don't have you pay until you are actually working as a teacher. We can always use more teachers and this is what I am doing with my Bachelors in Information Technology. I teach High School Computer Science at a Christian High School and I love it.

StellaDarlings · 02-03-2010, 20:12

RRmama -
I was a highly productive person, too. I no longer feel shame for not being what I once was. This is me now. Shame is when you don't measure up to something that you know you can do better. It's about disappointing yourself.
What is shame doing in an equation over which you have no control?
What is shame but a disortion of the reality of your health problems.

If you have diabetes from obesity, then today do one thing to remedy that. Like eat a bag of carrot sticks. Tomorrow will take care of itself.
If your diabetes is genetics, then, well....this is what you are born with.
How can you be ashamed of your genetic strands?

Depression is either a response to horrid experiences which make the brain's neurons change; the hippocampus to shrink. That is biology.
How can you be ashamed of your body's natural biology?

Today do one thing about that. Maybe massage your feet.

You were given 100% compensation so you do not have to worry about work. So you can find ways to enjoy life. If your education taught you anything it is How To Learn. That's it's intrinsic value.

Go forth and dig life one day one minute at a time. Some will be rich
and others BLAH!!

and some weird.

You are beautiful.

Alice

Quote:

Originally Posted by Railroad Momma

I grew up with a strong work ethic, yet since leaving the military, I am still unemployed after 16 years. As an MP in the Army, I loved my job. However, I did not want to continue in that field as a civilian police officer (medical issues) and had to pursue other employment interests. I had very little work experience before joining the service and no higher education. I did what most do after the service and collected my unemployment checks, while actively looking for work. I was able to get a few low-paying jobs, but nothing serious. Within 3 years, I was diagnosed with type1 Diabetes

, which made looking for work even harder. I began my initial claim for a Va medical disability and went to school through VocRehab. I earned a BA in Sociology. I graduated in 2000 and still couldn't find any serious employment in my newly acheived field of study (no help from VocRehab). Most wanted a degree as well as a couple years of experience before even considering me. Depression set in and the Diabetes worsened along with other physical conditions, enabling me to finally achieve a 100% disability rating (after 5 years). I lost out on getting a social security disability by not applying early enough and another 7 years later I still have no job. I get by financially, but the strong work ethic I was raised with leaves me fealing like a failure to me and my family. Anybody else have this issue?

Railroad Momma · 02-03-2010, 22:05

I am so grateful for your kind words and am happy to report that I no longer feel the same as when first writing about having no employment. I must have written that about a year ago and I am now happy with my life. I spend a lot of time on the internet and have my hobbies (doll house building and model railroads). I also have spent many hours here on GAF and have found this site to be cathartic and helpful in many ways. I love spending my time helping others as well as learning from others and this site has given me both opportunities. So, continue sharing your thoughts because as we share we heal. I look forward to more of your inspiring words- keep up the good work.

Laura

StellaDarlings · 02-04-2010, 08:19

Since it has been so long since your posting...(I didn't notice!) and now you are in the place where you are at...
What are the feelings you have a bout shame and your professional skills, "lost" opportunities, etc?

Sounds like you turned things into a new direction. Turning a skinking ship around is no easy task! :-)

Any jewels of wisdom? Love, Alice

Railroad Momma · 02-04-2010, 17:12

It occurred to me that wallowing in what wasn't going to happen (as far as getting a dream job) was just a waste of time and energy. I finally came to the realization that this is the hand that life dealt me and that I should be thankful for just having a life to live at all. I wonder (at times) how my life would have looked if having that dream job and also realized that hindsight is 20/20. Who knows, maybe I wouldn't have been happy with the dream job. All I know now is that I am very happy with my life as it is now and that wondering "what if" doesn't make things necessarily better. I'm living for the moment instead of the past and it seems to be working for me. A quote comes to mind, "Don't chase happieness-practice it." I am living day by day and enjoying what my life is instead of what it could have been. I hope this helps someone out there. "Yesterday does not equal tomorrow. Forget the past and move towards your goals."

Laura

StellaDarlings · 02-04-2010, 23:57

Your post reminds me of one of my favortes:

Be Here Now Or Get There Later.

Consider it a blessing that you are now traveling the road of speedbumps.

Slowing you down. Making you pay attention. Seeing which things are important and which are the dog chasing its tail.

You are seeing things you would have missed in your haste for money and academic prestige. Maybe you would not have gone That! way precisely. But here I get to play with the future ;-> to make my point.

May your joy increase each day until your heart aches from life.

Alice