Does a former Army major have access to the PX on an army base after he's no longer in the service?
And does he have access to the facilities on the base? Like their pools, movie theaters, etc.
What about temporary living facilities on the base?
It likely depends on how and why they got out.
I believe a retired Army major, or someone who got out due to service related disabilities would have access to the PX and other facilities like pools, movie theaters, etc.
It likely depends on how and why they got out.
Honorable discharge. Several Purple Hearts (and other medals) so he has veteran disability benefits. I don't think he was in 20 years (I'd have to go back to previous novels to calculate that). He has many contacts throughout the Army so his answer to a person he bumped into in the PX when asked why he was there is:
"I mean— I had a tough time with a bunch of rednecks in Mississippi so I came up here for some R&R. With my military background, I have special privileges on bases like Belvoir. I needed to unwind and…"
(This is Book 4. Book 3 was what happened in Mississippi.)
I did my AIT at Ft. Belvoir and I remember it being a beautiful place with many pools, theaters, a golf course, etc. At the time it was filled with officers.
What I found was he could get on the base, use the PX, and use temporary housing on an availability basis.
BTW, would he buy underwear in the PX or commissary?
I don't think he was in 20 years (I'd have to go back to previous novels to calculate that).
Nope. 12 years.
Depends on how he separated. If he just resigned his commission, at less than 20 yrs service, or was separated for some other reason (bad conduct/court-martial), probably not.
However, Major/LCDR (O-4 pay grade) is the lowest US commissioned officer pay grade that guarantees reaching retirement-eligible time-in-service of 20 years. If retired, he would have access to PX/commissary and other welfare/rec services - pools, theatres, golf courses, etc.
MD
The dependents of retired NCO's have PX and hospital access, or at least they did back in the 90's. That was one of the considerations before agreeing to marry me.
I am retired US Army after 28 years, and disabled.
So, several options.
Retired after 20 or more years. Or starting in the early nineties, "Early Out" aka "early retirement. Officers are different than enlisted. Enlisted personnel, and Warrant Officers serve for a Contract usually totaling 6 to 8 years, a mix of Active Duty (or M-Day status, as in "1 Weekend a Month and 15 days at least once a year {as a generalization} and the rest Inactive Reserve.
So, a common "Four and Four" Four years Active Duty and four in the Inactive Reserver subject to (involuntary) recall in times of need. It is very easy to go from Inactive Reserve to Drilling National Guard or Reserves (US Marines and Coast Guards only have Reserves, no National Guard) (Navy, more complicated.)
Medical Retirement. PM me if you have questions.
Officers have a Commission, grant by the US Congress. Graduates from West Point or Annapolis, and perhaps the top 5% to 10% from other sources, such as ROTC get an Active Commission. The majority of Officers serving on Active Duty have a Reserve Commision, on Active Duty The vast majority of Officers in the National Guard and Reserves have a Reserve Commission.
Some officers (and enlisted) serve in the IRR: Individual Ready Reserve, and may volunteer for duties, or be called to temporary active duty.
Very few officers Resign their Commission. They just leave active duty and are placed in the IRR.
Even and individual who was WIA (wounded) or injured, and is granted a 100% Disability, could still be a member of the IRR or the Retired Reserve. (Or, for that matter serve on active duty or the Res/NG, with a waiver.)
So, if your character served for less than 20 years, and did not retire, they would still be a Commissioned Officer in the IRR. Unless they resigned, or were stripped of their commission!
They would have a Military ID Card with their Rank, and status as Reserve (IRR would not be on the card, but would be in the computer data bases and easily available).
With such an ID Card the individual, and family members (and in some circumstances another guest) may accompany them onto a Base or other facility of any branch of the US Armed Services (but not areas of most bases). They could shop in the Commissary, PX, etc.
Underwear both civilian and military would be available at Clothing Sales, and civilian underwear at the PX. Sometimes, you might find underwear at the Commissary (in Sundries).
If a base has an area that has Basic Training (or AIT, etc.) (Fort Jackson, SC, Fort Benning, now Fort Moore, GA, Fort Sam Huston, TX, etc.) or often has Reserves/National Guard, those areas of the base the Shoppettes (PX "convenience" stores, some has gas pumps in front) are also likely to have underwear.
If you have specific questions, PM me. I am still a member of the Retired Reserve, and I travel to various bases in CONUS and globally. I have been to all of the big bases still open and many small ones, such as Fort William Henry Harrison, MT; or the Bangor NSB, now part of Puget Sound Naval Base. Even the Everet Naval Base Annex and the Jim Creek Naval Station and ELF facility.
What about temporary living facilities on the base?
If this was true don't you think many of the homeless vets would be using it?
I wonder how much it would cost to house homeless vets on the many closed bases around the country.
What about temporary living facilities on the base?
If this was true don't you think many of the homeless vets would be using it?
Hmm,
Switch Blayde asked about "a former Army major".
Don't you think the military differentiates here between enlisted men and commissioned officers?
I bet very few of the homeless vets are officers.
I wonder how much it would cost to house homeless vets on the many closed bases around the country.
Cooperation between the military administration and the civilian administration. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government and independent from the United States Department of Defense.
Different department heads, different budgets, too much infighting.
HM.
I bet very few of the homeless vets are officers.
I would take that bet. Anyone can end up on the streets. Just because you are a officer doesn't mean you're smart enough to not become homeless.
Most homeless vets are there because of PTSD and I would bet even officers get that.
Most homeless vets are there because of PTSD and I would bet even officers get that.
I would ascribe most homeless vets being homeless a combination of PTSD and drug abuse. In some cases the later might have been a failed attempt to escape the former.
Officers might even suffer some of the effects of PTSD because of orders they have given resulted in the deaths of their subordinates.
I would ascribe most homeless vets being homeless a combination of PTSD and drug abuse.
I always ask this simple question. were they homeless because of drug use or did they abuse drugs because they are homeless.
I spent 3 1/2 years homeless not because of drugs but because I became disabled and it took 3 years to get disability. I was lucky as I didn't get into drugs even though I new how depressed you can become. Just imagine living every day giving up all hope no matter how many times you are told there is hope.
The only reason I made it through was because of 2 angels who would not let me give up even though it felt the Government wanted me too because they kept putting up roadblocks while telling me I was almost there.
What about temporary living facilities on the base?
If this was true don't you think many of the homeless vets would be using it?
I wonder how much it would cost to house homeless vets on the many closed bases around the country.
What he is talking about are facilities similar to a motel.
From c.1940's through the mid 1990's there were on most bases BOQs, BNCOQs, and BEQs. Bachelor Officer Quarters, Bachelor NCO Quarters, and Bachelor Enlisted Quarters.
They served several purposes. Some personnel (mostly Officers Major O-4 and Under, and "Staff NCOs" E-9 to E-6, without a wife or children, and On Base Housing was unavailable might have a room or suite of rooms.
Mostly it was for Officers, NCOs, or Enlisted personnel who were on TDY (Temporary Duty Assignment) or a school/training, etc. Or for personnel "In Transit" such as 15, or even 30 days to transfer from assignment to the 1st ID, Fort Riely, KS, to 3rd ID in West Germany. They might get a room for a week to visit a friend on, or near Fort Bragg, or as I did, stay 5 days at Ft Meade, ML to visit the nearby Gettysburg Battlefield.
Military or Naval personnel, or Retired w/ Retired Military ID, could stay in those "barracks-like" quarters for a very low price, typically under $10 a night for an E-5 in the mid-80's.
Some of the larger bases also had a "Fort Benning Inn" that was intended for family visiting for a soldier's graduation, or whatever. These facilities were comparable to a "Motel-6"
Starting in the mid-90's the military no longer wanted to assign personnel to "host" at these facilities, and contracted out. New facilities were build more like a "Holiday Inn" or higher quality, but rates were $50, or $80, or more than $100 a night!
So, for the most part these were "Transient Quarters" (for personnel going from one base to another, or recently arrived at a new posting, awaiting their "permeant" (for 1-3 years) Quarters; or those attending a 1-3 week school that most students were assigned to the base, to accommodate a few individuals who were not local.
Or a mid-price motel equivalent.
Neither type was suitable for homeless vets.
What about temporary living facilities on the base?
If this was true don't you think many of the homeless vets would be using it?
I wonder how much it would cost to house homeless vets on the many closed bases around the country.
Most proposals to house "homeless vets" on former military bases are to use old barracks (but one person per room, not the typical pre-90's 3 or 4 or more per room).
There are a couple of issues. Most old barracks have numerous problems, from asbestos, lead based paint, etc. Not to mention Government Inefficiency in resolving such issues...
Too much "Stolen Valor" people who claim to be veterans, but are not. Or served for 3 weeks of Basic Training and were kicked out. Or who may have served for 3 years, peace time, but claim injuries suffered in combat. While it might be a societal good to provide some assistance to these people; they are NOT some suffering Veteran of the war in Vietnam afflicted by terrible wounds or other experiences there!
Last but not least, many if not most of the actual veterans who are homeless is because they have Substance Abuse issues aka Drug or Alcohol addiction.
I am Retired from the US Army, also Disabled, and I was homeless for several years. I am a Volunteer Service Officer for the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and work with other government entities, and private charities conducting "outreach" to homeless veterans and other veterans in need.
There are numerous federal, state, and local programs to assist veterans. More money is needed. Also, too much money is squandered. I am in a federal government subsidized housing program; one that serves many other veterans too. However, it requires that a person not be an addict (although a "functional alcoholic", or moderate marijuana user may be able to maintain the standards of the program.
The vast majority of actual veterans who are homeless Refuse to abide by No Illegal Drug Use and other minimal standards. Many have mental health issues, exacerbated by abuse of illegal drugs and/or alcohol. Or they just abuse alcohol/drugs and are Unwilling to abide by minimum rules. Rules that protect other veterans who are willing to abide by the rules!
Why do I "bother" to do outreach if I am "so cynical?"
Because there are veterans who are homeless, often recently, who just aren't aware of the programs and other assets available to them; mostly because they were confident they could handle issues... until they couldn't.
Many in this category are recently in the area. Some came for a job that fell through, or their car broke down, or whatever. The federal government can often take months, or Years to address issues. Often government requires a person, veteran or not, to be in a truly desperate situation.
Thus, the VFW, and similar private organizations try to help veterans before they fall through the cracks. We often get new tires, a car repair, or similar assistance, and often at a discount price (we are a 501c3 Charity, thus a tax deduction for the business; many business owners are patriotic, and will provide substantial discounts). Business also depend upon the VFW to vet (aka confirm) the individual Is a veteran, and the situation. Too often the govt. requires a person to be of "low income" aka Lose their Job Before they will assist. The VFW, DAV, etc. figure if we fix a car and help them keep their job, it's better than Tens of Thousands of Dollars needed when they lose their job, home, etc. before you will "help them."
Having sat in on "committee meetings" of regional homeless conglomerations; too many "charities" pay their Deputy Assistant Press Secretary more than our Post spends on direct aid to hundreds of veterans in our local community! Thats 130k for a "mid-level" Paid staffer! We have Volunteers to communicate to the media, Not paid staff.
I believe that old barracks could be converted, such as on the disused and close Fort Ord, in California. Or new facilities built on the grounds of Fort Ord, or similar parcels of land owned by the Federal Government. However, the Cronies won't get their "piece of the pie." The VFW and other private charities combined to each sponsor a "tiny home" on the grounds of a local Veterans Retirement Home, with bus service, medical care, etc. nearby. Each of some 24 tiny homes was built in less than a year. Strict policies are enforced, and the program has been a success. Government Regulations often prevent us from doing more such projects.
Laws prevent the government, let alone private charities from Involuntarily Committing Addicts to Treatment. When people can just quit, and when there are no, or few legal penalties for drug abuse, and crimes to support the habit, we are condemning those individuals to a Miserable and Lingering Death!
The vast majority of actual veterans who are homeless Refuse to abide by No Illegal Drug Use and other minimal standards. Many have mental health issues, exacerbated by abuse of illegal drugs and/or alcohol. Or they just abuse alcohol/drugs and are Unwilling to abide by minimum rules. Rules that protect other veterans who are willing to abide by the rules!
I used to work with and was assisted by an organization called "US Vets". And yes, about 2 decades ago I was homeless for a while. However, I was one of the rare ones that it was because of the economic downturn and not related to drugs and alcohol.
And during that time, I came to realize a lot of the things most people believe about "Homeless Vets" is a lie. First of all, most of them are not even veterans at all!
Trust me there, I took part in a great many 4 day "Stand Downs" to try and assist homeless vets. We would set up in a large park, and for 4 days offer outreach and assistance to them. With the end goal being to get them off the streets, either into the VA or our own facility. And when we opened on Friday we would see around 4,000 come in.
Now this was 20 years ago, when verification by the VA would take 2-3 days. And by the second day they would be escorting people out of the operation. The simple fact was they were never in the military, they were faking it.
And by Monday when we wrapped up, we might end up with a couple of hundred "real veterans", and this was Los Angeles. I have talked to huge numbers that claim to be "Veterans", and 90% are fake. They can't give you the absolute basics like what their unit was, or what their job code was. They know little to nothing of the military, and just lie as a way to get handouts.
And in the modern era those "stand-downs" are even more funny. Now the VA can give us a military service record in a few minutes, and we never even let them into the compound. The last one I did was in 2019 in the San Francisco area. They were lined up for over a block waiting to come in, and over 98% were turned away at the entry point as they had never served.
Now for those that are "Real Vets", most are addicted to drugs, alcohol, or both. The place I lived and worked with was a sober living environment, and I would say 80% of those that failed the program because of returning to drugs or alcohol. And you simply can't help somebody that is an addict. First you have to solve their addictions, then the other issues become easy.
Little plug here, one of the best Homeless Vet organizations there is is US Vets. They are a private non-profit organization that started in LA. I was there when it was a single center in Inglewood, and now it is nation wide. And many of the facilities are indeed on former military bases. But those are all in the hands of the communities they were in, and a great many resist the idea of letting an organization like that in. I was there when they opened their second location, on what was once family housing for the Long Beach Naval Base.
If one wants to really help real vets, look for an organization like them.
https://usvets.org/
Now for those that are "Real Vets", most are addicted to drugs, alcohol, or both. The place I lived and worked with was a sober living environment, and I would say 80% of those that failed the program because of returning to drugs or alcohol. And you simply can't help somebody that is an addict. First you have to solve their addictions, then the other issues become easy.
First thanks for your help with the homeless. I myself was homeless for 3 1/2 years not because of drugs or mental health but because I became disabled and could no longer work.
Did anyone look into why they became drug users? Was it because of what they went through in the military or was it because they became homeless and lost all hope of help?
Did anyone look into why they became drug users? Was it because of what they went through in the military or was it because they became homeless and lost all hope of help?
The vast majority go through nothing of note during their military careers. They simply turn to drugs like any other member of the population.
They should consider becoming animal medical treatment personnel so they can be veteran veterinarians or vet vets, and stand in the rain or a shower and be wet vet vets. Can they be better wet vet vets? If they make bets?
There is a story on Sol about a better man. Its a sequel about a football player. But he isn't a vet, at least not yet.