By: Dave Lieber

Dave Lieber — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:51:32 +0000

FH, Have you consulted a lawyer? Also, you sent to Rep. Edwards. Why not send to Senators Cornyn and Hutchison, too?

By: SN Frederick Hilleary

SN Frederick Hilleary — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 22:25:03 +0000

Ms. Lynch was fortunate to receive some benefits although delayed. After reading this blog, I am left even more so confused now than before. I was under the impression that after discharging from the military that your G.I.Bill benefits would be entitled to you for life. I found out the hard way that’s not true at all. Some time ago I attempted to go back to school Hoping to be able to utilize the benefits I paid into while on active duty. I was informed that only within the first 10years after discharge was the time frame to utilize and would remain active only if you were continuing your education within that time frame. The Government has been taking from me even while on active duty. During my Basic Training period, I had to visit the Dermatologist to get approved for what was known as"A No Shave Chit" prior to going OverSeas for starting Active Duty Service. Common skin condition as I now know it among African American men is called Pseudofolliculitisbarbae, a skin disorder due to shaving which I never had prior to entering the service. I filed a claim for compensation for this condition and was denied numerous times because they claimed that there was no record to show that I was ever treated for this condition but was given a document to keep on my person at all times because I couldn’t shave like the others but was required to keep my beard neat and trimmed. A good number of employers(esp. restaurant owners) frowns on men wearing beards in the workplace. I was turned down several positions due to this condition. Also while on active duty, went out on liberty in Okinawa,Japan with shipmates who were caucasian men. We all got drunk and I too had to be carried by strangers back to my command USS REVES(CG-24) based out of Yakosouka,Japan. The caucasian men was Offered Alcohol/drug treatment immediately the following work day. I had to ask for treatment then and get this, Was denied inspite the fact of the report the Officer Of The Deck logged in. Senior Chief on board noticed I had a problem too and did nothing spite my request. Because i was on a small ship a Guide Missile Cruiser, I had to dwell closely among the 4guys who Sexually Assaulted me on board in the lower flam locker storage area while underway which left me Stagnate as far as being able to disclose freely anything about the incident for fear of threatened if I had whispered a word. As for filing for benefits, I did not know what would be following from that traumatic experience. I ended up self medicating for years due to this because of lack of services available to me. A relative of mine told me before I entered the service that I was about to enter one of the most racist branches of service there is. To this day I still see it even as a civilian. I sent a copy of my medical records to Senator Chet Edwards(when in office) hoping I would get some kind of help from congress and still nothing. In and out of the hospital(s) battling with depression and suicidal ideations and given medications to treat this and that. Still waiting. I am SO DAMN ANGRY but all I am doing now is trusting God to repay fully however he seems fit to do it. I did not vote for this modern day pharoah, but now that he’s getting ready to send more of our troops to the battlefield again, I now have hope again although angry as Hell still and oftentimes feel as if a nervous breakdown is inevitable.

Comments on: Angry U.S. military veterans wait months for promised GI Bill education benefits

By: Dave Lieber

By: SN Frederick Hilleary