Some of the 'Services' and 'Programs we have available
MARCH 29, NATIONAL VIETNEM WAR VETERANS DAY
Welcome to Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida 'a Source for Veteran Resources'
180 W. Idaho Ave, Ontario, Oregon 97914
541-889-1978
VETERAN ADVOCATES THRIFT EMPORIUM
Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida has a rathar very nice Thrift Emporium with an excellent selection of donated items !! The prices range from 50 cents up - depending on the kind of items you are shopping for - We have an absolutely WONDERFUL staff of Volunteers eager to help you find items... it is open from 9am to 4pm Monday thru Friday - and you can bring donations Monday thru Friday from 9:30 am to 3:30pm.
Any Questions call 541-889-1978
Veterans: Join MVP’s military experiences exposures survey
Join the Million Veteran Program to take the survey today
VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) recently launched the Military Experiences and Toxic Exposures Survey to learn more about the ways military experiences and toxic exposures affect health. MVP, VA’s largest research effort, is studying health conditions that matter to Veterans, including mental health, heart health, cancer, tinnitus and more. All Veterans are invited to join MVP and complete the survey.
What does the Military Experiences and Toxic Exposures Survey ask about?
The survey asks questions about:
- Your military service and deployment history.
- Occupation(s) in and out of the military.
- Military job tasks and deployment activities.
- Exposure to toxic or hazardous substances while deployed.
- Exposure to loud sounds.
- Combat experiences.
- Lifestyle and home exposures.
By completing this survey, you can help researchers better understand how to screen for, detect, prevent and treat health conditions associated with military experiences and exposures. This survey is for health research purposes and will not impact your disability benefits or your access to VA health care.
How do I take the Military Experiences and Toxic Exposures Survey?
All Veterans are invited to join the Million Veteran Program and take the survey.
To join MVP today, visit www.mvp.va.gov, click “Sign in” and then “Get started.”
Veterans who are already part of MVP can take the survey using the following steps:
- Visit www.mvp.va.gov and click “Sign in.”
- Choose a secure VA partner to sign in.
- Once you are signed in, select “Surveys” and then “Continue.”
- Click “Toxic Exposures Survey” icon.
- Click “Start the survey.”
Topics in this story
BI-MONTHLY ARTICLES AND A FEW STORIES OF INTEREST
Veteran Articles published Bi-monthly
February is National Salute to Veteran Patients Month
The Chairman of Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida, Ronald Verini, writes two articles every month for publication in a Regional Newspaper, this article ."THE UNIFORM: AMERICA'S ULTIMATE ROCK STAR..."
will be published MARCH 4, 2026 Here is a part of Mr. Verini's article, and you can read the full article by clicking the red bar below.
The Uniform: America’s Ultimate Rock-Star
March 4th, 2026 Veterans Column by Ronald Verini
Recent chats about “The Ballad of the Green Berets” at the Ore-Ida coffee clutch and Payette’s American Legion got me thinking about music and our heroes. Here are my thoughts. 🎶🇺🇸…!!
Sixty years ago, the American soldier didn’t just serve the country; they headlined it. In an era where the hum of a distant jet or the sight of a crisp blue police uniform evoked a visceral sense of security, our military and first responders possessed a "rock star" quality that has largely quieted into a polite, professional hum. This was a time when the "man in uniform" was the undisputed hero of the American narrative, standing center stage in our living rooms, our cinema, and most vibrantly, our music.
In the mid-20th century, particularly during the post-WWII era and into the early 1960s, the American military, police, and first responders held a cultural status that can only be described as "rock star" in its widespread presence and respect. The uniform was not just a garment of service, but a symbol of the ultimate American ideal. The prestige of the military was so deeply woven into the fabric of the arts that the music industry treated the soldier as a legitimate folk hero. Artists didn't just sing about the troops; they sang to them and with them, creating a sonic landscape where patriotism and pop culture were indistinguishable.
Comparing the 1950s to today reveals a staggering shift in public trust. Sixty years ago, the military stood as a pillar of the American Dream, a sentiment immortalized by Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler’s #1 hit, "The Ballad of the Green Berets." It wasn’t just a hit; it was a cultural phenomenon, spending five weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It beat out the rock stars of the British Invasion! While the rest of the country sang along to that tribute, Non-commissioned officer (NCO) SSGT E-6 Phil Jacques lived it. As Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida’s Vice-Chairman and a U.S. Army 5th Special Forces Airborne Green Beret, Phil doesn't just represent that era, he is the living pulse of the elite standard Sadler’s anthem celebrated, not just a representative of the “Green Beret” legacy: he is its soul, and right here in our own community!
Unlike today’s fragmented landscape, icons like Elvis Presley with G.I. Blues didn’t just support the troops, he even paused his massive career to serve. Johnny Cash, and Gene Autry portrayed the soldier as a figure of stoic strength. Jean Shepard’s “Dear John” song made soldierly sacrifice the ultimate drama. From chart-topping tributes to stars pausing careers to serve, the music industry and military moved in harmony. Back then, whether in a foxhole, police or fire department, our "guardians" enjoyed a level of all-embracing public trust that felt as natural as the air we breathed.
In the 50s, songs like Jimmie Osborne’s “God, Please Protect America” reflected a nation that viewed its troops as literal saviors. By the late 60s, the "rock star" quality of the military began to fracture. The music shifted from the patriotic ballads of the early 60s to the gritty, disillusioned anthems of the Vietnam era. Today, the reverence for the military is often expressed through "thank you for your service" platitudes, a respectful, yet distant, acknowledgment that sometimes are said as if they are profound wisdom, often to comfort someone, avoiding real emotion, and sound wise without adding genuine insight. In the past, the soldier was the hero of the song; today, they are more often a symbol used to debate the merits of foreign policy, that relationship has evolved from a unified chorus into a complex, often grating tone.
February is National Salute to Veteran Patients Month
February is National Salute to Veteran Patients Month
March 29 was chosen as National Vietnam War Veterans Day because on March 29, 1973, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) was disbanded and the last U.S. combat troops departed the Republic of Vietnam. The last unit was elements of MACV's Infantry Security Force (Special Guard).
On March 29, 2012, President Barack Obama proclaimed March 29, 2012, as Vietnam Veterans Day. The proclamation called "upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the Vietnam War."[1]
On December 26, 2016, the Vietnam Veterans Day Coalition of States Council presented a letter to President Elect Donald Trump and Congressional leadership outlining the history and timeline of cause to establish March 29 as Vietnam War Veterans Day and requesting that it be one of the first legislations passed and signed into law during the 115 Congress.[2]
On March 28, 2017, President Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017. This act officially recognizes March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The Act also includes the day among those days on which the US flag should especially be displayed.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day – Quick Facts
- National Vietnam War Veterans Day recognizes veterans who served in the US military during the Vietnam War.
- President Donald J. Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 on March 28, 2017 to officially recognize March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
- The act encourages the display of the U.S. flag each year on March 29th.
- The last combat troops were withdrawn on March 29th, 1973 from Vietnam.
- Many veterans who returned home did not receive any recognition for their service.
- These veterans came home to a divided country and many had trouble adjusting to civilian life.
- 45 states and Puerto Rico recognize Vietnam Veterans Day either annually or for a specific year.
- Over 8 million U.S. troops served in Vietnam according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Why Do We Recognize National Vietnam War Veterans Day?
National Vietnam War Veterans Day is an opportunity to recognize and give thanks for all who served during the Vietnam War, including those who were wounded, gave their lives, or went missing. Even in the face of controversy and opposition at home, millions of Americans honorably answered the call to serve our country during this tumultuous time in history. And when those who were fortunate enough to come home finally returned, they were met by ugly protests, scorn and neglect. National Vietnam War Veterans Day is the heroes welcome they never received. It underscores the need to heal their painful wounds and allows us the occasion each year to pause and give respect, admiration and thanks to the patriotic men and women who sacrificed so much in service to their nation.
THE TOILET PAPER WAR...... A submariner’s battle against bureaucracy
By Claire Barrett - MilitaryTimes
For most of recorded history, more men have died from disease in some faraway field than from an enemy bullet.
“Diseases,” writes historian John A. Haymond, “particularly those of the insect-borne or water-specific types, have been responsible for untold millions of deaths in militaries across the millennia. Ironically, armies ravaged by disease have usually carried the seeds of their destruction with them in the form of poor field sanitation habits. After all, a sufficiently provisioned army of 10,000 men could produce about four tons of fecal waste every day.”
On June 11, 1942, disease, and perhaps an increasing desire not to use one’s own hand to wipe one’s nether regions, drove Lt. Cmdr. James Coe of the submarine Skipjack to send an “urgent” message to the powers that be.
Since July 1, 1941, a requisition had been submitted for 150 rolls of toilet paper to replenish the dwindling supply aboard the Skipjack. However, as the boat patrolled the Pacific, no sign of the all-important bathroom item appeared — even as other war materiel came in.
In March 1942, according to the National WWII Museum, Coe took command of the Skipjack and learned of the dire, and no doubt malodorous, situation. To make matters worse, Coe received a canceled invoice for the TP alongside a stamped July 1941 message stating “cancelled-cannot identify.”
In response to this bureaucratic fumble, Coe issued a letter to the supply officer in Mare Island, California. His tongue-in-cheek rejoinder would become the stuff of legends within the Navy.
USS SKIPJACK
June 11, 1942
From: Commanding Officer To: Supply Officer, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California Via: Commander Submarines, Southwest Pacific
Subject: Toilet Paper
Reference: (a) USS HOLLAND (5148) USS Skipjack req. 70-42 of 30 July 1941. (b) SO NYMI Canceled invoice No. 272836
Enclosure: (1) Copy of cancelled Invoice (2) Sample of material requested.
1. This vessel submitted a requisition for 150 rolls of toilet paper on July 30, 1941, to USS HOLLAND. The material was ordered by HOLLAND from the Supply Officer, Navy Yard, Mare Island, for delivery to USS Skipjack.
This sailor requested leave to get his wife pregnant. It was approved.
Observation Post by Claire Barrett
Like a lion stalking its prey across the Serengeti, so too does a Jody hunt — lurking in the night, ever vigilant in hopes of hearing that one magic word: “Deployment.”
So, how does one stop an insatiable Jody in his tracks? For one seaman, the solution was simple: Beat out the competition by simply being there.
On July 20, 1967, Petty Officer 1st Class David Jarvis Anderson submitted an unusual special leave request. His plea was simple.
“My wife is planning on getting pregnant this weekend,” he wrote, “and I would sure like to be there when it happens.”
Anderson’s tongue-in-cheek entreaty seemed to have worked. It was, after all, the Summer of Love.
While requests for special liberty can often reduce a poor service member to a desperate husk of a man, in 1967, it appears that the powers that be were a little more forgiving — allowing for Anderson to enjoy shore leave in the right port during a particularly crucial tide.
In traveling the seven-plus hours from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to the coal mining town of Layland, West Virginia, the sailor thwarted all would-be Jody’s in the area upon his arrival home.
No word was readily available, however, on whether the pair’s weekend’s festivities produced the desired result.
Food Boxed at Veteran Advocates Food Pantry to hand out to Veterans/Military and their Families
Food Boxed at Veteran Advocates Food Pantry to hand out to Veterans/Military and their Families
JANUARY 2026
The Food Pantry at Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida has really expanded and grown over the last few years. There has been such an increase of our Veteran and Military Families needing help to handle the increasing problems of 'food insecurity'. We do have a 'modest' pantry open every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30am to 3:30pm. Give a call to 541-889-1978 to let us know you are coming to pick up Food Box. Please let us know how many in your family and about when your coming.
Also, if you are interested in volunteering to help our veterans and the Food Pantry please give us a call or come on in and see what we are doing...
Sometimes the food donations we receive are unable to meet the demands, but we still hand out the product we receive. So if you need a little something to help you get from one paycheck to the other come on down. Each Family can get a Box twice a month.
IMPORTANT DATES FROM THE MONTH OF MARCH
Food Boxed at Veteran Advocates Food Pantry to hand out to Veterans/Military and their Families
Key March Military Observances & Anniversaries:
- March 1–7: National Invest in Veterans Week
- March 3: U.S. Navy Reserve Birthday
- March 5: Seabee Birthday
- March 13: K-9 Veterans Day (honoring military working dogs)
- March 15-17: Anniversary of the First Caucus of The American Legion (1919)
- March 21: Rosie the Riveter Day
- March 25: Medal of Honor Day
- March 29: National Vietnam War Veterans Day
March 15, 44 BC: Assassination of Julius Caesar.
March 1, 1781: US Articles of Confederation ratified.
March 4,1681: King Charles II of England gave William Penn a HUGE tract of land to settle a debt - it became the State of Pennsylvania.
March 4, 1789: 1st Meeting of the new US Congress under the new Constitution in NYC.
March 5, 1770: The Boston Massacre
March 10, 1876: First Telephone Call
March 10,1862: first issue of US Government Paper Money 5,10 & 20 dollar bills circulated.
March 12, 1609: Island of Bermuda colonized by a british ship that wrecked on te reef.
March 12, 1999: Poland,Hungry & Czech Republic became full members of NATO.
March 14, 1879: Albert Einstein born in Ulm, Germany.
March 21, 1685: J.S. Bach (Composer) was born.
March 22, 1972: Equal Rights Amendment was passed.
March 25, 1807: British Parliment absolved Slave Trade.
VA Disability Backlog
Where Claims Stand At The Start Of The Year
For many veterans, the word backlog carries weight. It represents months of waiting, unanswered questions, and uncertainty about when benefits decisions will finally arrive.
As 2026 gets underway, the VA disability claims backlog remains one of the most closely watched indicators of how well the system is functioning. While progress has been made in recent years, veterans filing new claims — or waiting on older ones — are still navigating a process shaped by volume, complexity, and capacity. Understanding where the backlog stands now helps set realistic expectations for the year ahead …
What The VA Means By “Backlog”
The VA defines a disability claims backlog as claims that have been pending for more than 125 days. These are not necessarily stalled claims, but cases that have exceeded the VA’s target processing timeline. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs publishes ongoing claims workload data, which tracks:
- Total claims received
- Claims completed
- Claims pending
- Claims categorized as backlog
Veterans can view current claims processing information directly through the VA’s official claims status and processing overview at: https://www.va.gov/disability/after-you-file-claim/.
For a more detailed breakdown of claims data and historical trends, the VA also publishes reports here: https://www.benefits.va.gov/REPORTS/detailed_claims_data.asp.
Where The Backlog Stands Entering 2026 …
At the start of the year, the VA continues to manage a high volume of incoming disability claims, driven by:
- New claims filed annually
- Supplemental claims and appeals re-entering the system
- Claims related to expanded presumptive conditions under recent legislation
While the backlog fluctuates month to month, one constant remains: claims volume consistently exceeds pre-pandemic levels.
Independent reporting from Military.com has regularly highlighted how staffing capacity, evidence development, and medical exam availability all influence how quickly claims move through the system.
The result is a system that continues processing millions of claims each year — but not always as quickly as veterans would hope
Why Some Claims Take Longer Than Others
Not all claims move at the same pace. Several factors can increase processing time, including:
- The number of conditions claimed
- Whether medical exams are required
- The need for records from outside providers
- Complex service histories
- Requests for additional evidence
Claims involving multiple conditions or requiring clarification often take longer to fully develop before a decision can be made. The VA outlines evidence requirements and development steps here.
Understanding these factors doesn’t eliminate frustration — but it can help explain why timelines vary widely from case to case.
What Veterans Filing Claims In 2026 Should Expect
For veterans submitting new claims this year, the backlog means:
- Some claims may process within a few months
- Others may extend beyond the 125-day target
- Requests for additional information are still common
- Status updates may be infrequent but not indicative of inactivity
Veterans can monitor their individual claim status online through VA.gov.
While the system continues to evolve, patience and preparation remain essential parts of the process
Why The Backlog Still Matters …
The backlog isn’t just a statistic — it directly affects veterans’ financial stability, access to care, and peace of mind. Even as the VA works to modernize systems and improve efficiency, sustained claims volume means the backlog remains a persistent challenge rather than a short-term issue.
Tracking backlog trends helps veterans and advocates:
- Identify when delays are systemic rather than personal
- Understand system-wide capacity
- Set realistic expectations
Final Thoughts …
As 2026 begins, the VA disability claims backlog continues to shape the experience of veterans seeking benefits. While progress has been made in processing more claims each year, demand remains high — and timelines can still stretch beyond initial expectations.
For veterans filing claims now, staying informed, submitting complete evidence, and understanding how the system operates can make the waiting period more manageable. The backlog may be part of the process, but clarity helps veterans navigate it with fewer surprises.
The Vietnam Veterans Who Fought for Modern PTSD Treatments
by Brandon Wile, Military.com - 01/01/2026
When the last American combat troops left Vietnam in January 1973, over 700,000 veterans needed psychological treatment for what no one knew how to diagnose. The VA couldn't help them because officially, their condition didn't exist.
Nightmares, flashbacks, rage, emotional numbness. Veterans knew something was wrong. VA psychiatrists called it depression or schizophrenia. Treatment rarely worked because doctors were treating the wrong things.
The psychiatric establishment had a term for combat trauma as early as 1952, when "gross stress reaction" appeared in the first Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. By 1968, when the DSM was revised during peak Vietnam combat operations, that diagnosis vanished without explanation. Veterans coming home had nowhere to turn.
Veterans Built Their Own System
Without official recognition or treatment, Vietnam veterans created their own support networks. Groups such as Twice-Born Men formed for veterans leaving prison. Others met informally, what psychiatrist Robert Lifton called "street corner psychiatry." Veterans helped veterans because no one else would.
They demanded answers. Why were so many veterans homeless, unemployed or addicted? Why did symptoms that started in Vietnam follow them for years? The VA denied disability claims for psychological conditions because no combat-related diagnosis existed in the manual.
Advocates pushed back. Veterans testified before Congress. Researchers studied returning soldiers. Psychiatrists who worked with survivors of the Holocaust, rape victims and combat veterans saw the same patterns. Trauma didn't discriminate by source
The pressure mounted through the 1970s. Veterans organizations lobbied the American Psychiatric Association. Clinicians like Chaim Shatan wrote about "post-Vietnam syndrome" in The New York Times. The psychiatric community couldn't ignore 2.7 million veterans anymore
In 1980, Changed Everything
Five years after the war ended, the American Psychiatric Association added post-traumatic stress disorder to DSM-III. The diagnosis finally gave veterans' suffering a name and treatment pathway. More importantly, it shifted blame from individual weakness to external trauma.
PTSD was the first psychiatric diagnosis to identify the cause as outside the person rather than an inherent flaw. That distinction mattered. Veterans weren't broken. They'd experienced events outside normal human experience and reacted normally to abnormal circumstances.
Congress ordered the VA to study PTSD prevalence in 1983. The National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study found that 15% of Vietnam veterans had PTSD. A follow-up study decades later showed 11% of male theater veterans and 7% of female theater veterans still struggled with PTSD 40 years after the war.
The PTSD diagnosis opened doors. The VA developed specialized treatment programs. Research into trauma-focused therapies began. Veterans could file disability claims for a condition the VA finally recognized. But recognition came too late for thousands who'd suffered without help for years
Commission Listens to Veterans
Congress Passes Bill to Fund National Center to Help Justice-Involved Veterans
Military.com | By Kevin Damask
In a bipartisan move, Congress passed a measure to provide $4 million worth of funding to construct a national center to help veterans ensnared in the criminal justice system.
Commission Listens to Veterans
The Veterans Justice Commission was launched in August 2022. At its roots, the 15 commission members were tasked with examining why many veterans become incarcerated and to develop recommendations for policy changes based on evidence-based research that improves safety, health and justice.
To gather research, the commission held 13 listening sessions with veterans who’ve faced trouble with the law to determine ways to reduce the number of veterans committing crimes.
Key takeaways from the listening sessions found that many veterans don’t receive proper support as they’re leaving the military, describing the reacclimating to civilian life as “culture shock.” Participants said they felt strain in finances and relationships, thus leading to various legal problems. They also said the criminal justice system lacks a systematic process to identify their veteran status which delayed or prevented them from getting into veteran-related programs.
In addition, the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries were also reported to be a factor in committing crimes. Veterans also shared the value of treatment courts to help them recover from addiction and keep them out of incarceration. They also shared the desire for more veteran-specific housing units in jails and prisons, especially for female veterans.
CURRENT IDEAS ABOUT THE USE OF KETAMINE ON PTSD FLASHBACKS
Search Assist
Recent studies suggest that ketamine may be effective in treating PTSD, particularly when combined with psychotherapy. Research indicates that ketamine can enhance the extinction of traumatic memories and improve symptoms more rapidly than traditional therapies.
bbrfoundation.org
Yale Medicine
Overview of Ketamine in PTSD Treatment
Ketamine is being explored as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to its rapid effects on mood and anxiety. It is an NMDA receptor antagonist that can induce changes in brain connectivity, potentially enhancing therapeutic outcomes when combined with psychotherapy.
Mechanism of Action
How Ketamine Works
- Memory Reconsolidation: Ketamine may help modify traumatic memories during their recall, making them less distressing.
- Neuroplasticity: It is believed to temporarily increase the brain's ability to rewire itself, which can aid in the therapeutic process.
Treatment Approaches
Combined Therapies
- Ketamine Infusions: Administered in low doses, ketamine can be combined with exposure therapy to enhance treatment effectiveness.
- Intensive Therapy Programs: Some studies involve a 7-day treatment combining ketamine infusions with trauma-focused psychotherapy, aiming for significant symptom relief.
Study Findings
- Pilot Studies: Research indicates that a single ketamine infusion may enhance the extinction of traumatic memories, improving outcomes for PTSD patients.
- Long-term Effects: While initial results are promising, further studies are needed to understand the long-term benefits and safety of ketamine in PTSD treatment.
Eligibility and Considerations
Who Can Participate
- Age Range: Typically, participants are between 21 and 70 years old.
- Exclusion Criteria: Individuals with certain psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia or severe personality disorders, are generally excluded from studies.
Ketamine represents a novel approach to treating PTSD, with ongoing research aimed at confirming its efficacy and safety in clinical settings.
THERE ARE MANY ARTICLES ABOUT THIS TYPE OF TREATMENT FOR PTSD. SUGGEST YOU GOOGLE "KETAMINE THERAPY FOR PTSD" TO READ ALL THE RESEARCH AND TESTING NOW HAPPENING.
Military & VA Forms
Where & How to get Military DoD Forms and VA Forms
Military.com by Jim Absher
Accessing military and veteran benefits requires filling out the correct military forms. The following index of official military forms from the DoD, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Department of Veterans Affairs will help you access your earned benefits.
One of the most important documents you need is the DoD form known as the DD-214. Nearly every Department of Veterans Affairs benefit claim and most state veterans benefit applications require vets to submit this military form.
DD-214 Replacement and Military Service Records
Loss of this all-important form is not the end of the world. Most veterans and their next-of-kin can get free copies of their DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty - through the eVetRecs website or by mailing or faxing a completed Standard Form SF-180 to the National Archives.
Military DoD Forms and VA Forms
Department of Defense Military Forms
- DoD Military Forms Program Registry of available Department of Defense military forms also includes monthly updates for new and revised forms. You can browse by number of alphabetic title.
- U.S. Army Publishing Directorate The Department of the Army (DA) offers a form search engine, a publications database and downloads in six formats.
- Air Force Publications Electronic Forms The Air Force catalogue is organized by divisions and major commands.
- Naval Forms Online Navy personnel forms online.
- Marine Corps Publication Electronic Library Includes a search of the Marine Corps database for military forms by keyword, SSIC category, service branch, and type.
- National Guard Bureau Publications & Forms Library Lists all forms for the National Guard Bureau (NGB), including the Air National Guard (ANG) and Army National Guard (ARNG). Download in PDF format, requires Adobe Acrobat reader.
Department of Homeland Security Military Forms
Coast Guard Electronic Forms Library Contains all Coast Guard forms. Requires download in PDF format, requires Adobe Acrobat reader
Department of Veteran Affairs - VA Forms
VA Forms Library searchable database features all available Department of Veteran Affairs forms. Download materials in PDF. Important forms include VA disability claims forms, Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility forms and VA healthcare forms.
You can also find information on the VA Home Loan Certification Application and request your certificate of eligibility. The Veterans Administration uses the VA Form 26-1880 to determine your eligibility for participation in the VA Home Loan Program. Military.com can help you get the process started by providing you with the proper form and helping you complete the paperwork.
Once you have submitted your VA Form 26-1880, Military.com can help you take the next step -- finding a VA approved lender.
Our VA loan finder can match you with up to five rate quotes from different lenders.
Know All Your Legal Rights and Benefits
The Navy’s railgun may be back from the dead — for now
JEFF SCHOGOL Task & Purpose
PUBLISHED DEC 23, 2025
President Donald Trump’s recent announcement that the Navy will build “battleships” again was not the only blast from the past. If they are ever built, the ships would each feature an electromagnetic railgun, even though the Navy paused the program four years ago.
Railguns use electricity to create a magnetic field to launch a projectile at up to 5,600 miles per hour, or more than seven times the speed of sound. Unlike traditional artillery, they do not require chemical propellants such as gunpowder to fire rounds.
On Monday, Trump announced that the Navy would build between 20 and 25 of a new class of ships as part of his “Golden Fleet” shipbuilding effort, and that each vessel would bristle with a variety of armaments including “state-of-the-art electric railguns.”
The Navy also released a mock-up of the first vessel in the new battleship class, which shows the surface combatant is expected to have a 32 megajoule railgun on the bow of the ship. A railgun with that much power could fire a projectile more than 100 nautical miles, according to the Office of Naval Research.
However miraculous the railgun’s capabilities might sound, the Navy has never been able to integrate railguns into the fleet and in July 2021, the service announced it was hitting the pause button on the program to make funding available for other weapons systems, such as hypersonic missiles and directed energy weapons.
One can be forgiven for thinking that was the end of the railgun altogether, but reports of its demise have been greatly exaggerated
Although the Navy pushed pause on its efforts to put railguns on ships back in 2021, it has continued research into the weapon system itself, including its projectile, said Michael Fabey, a naval analyst with Janes, an open-source defense intelligence provider.
The Navy did not provide a comment for this story.
The railgun may have been resurrected, but some significant technical issues would need to be worked out before it can become a viable weapon for Navy ships.
One such issue is how to generate enough power for railguns, said retired Navy Capt. Bradley Martin, a senior policy researcher with the RAND Corporation.
“What might make the railgun feasible for the battleship as conceived is that the ship is large and is expected to have the electrical power generation capacity to meet railgun demands,” Martin told Task & Purpose.
Another challenge would be finding a way to build a launching system that can withstand the heat and recoil of firing a projectile, he said. Solving that problem would likely require technological advances that would have to be made as part of the new battleship’s design and construction.
But President Trump said on Monday that he expects the Navy to produce the first two ships in about two-and-a-half years, and that’s not a lot of time to overcome any of the inherent challenges of building a new ship design. The USS Gerald R. Ford, America’s newest aircraft carrier, took eight years to build and then faced several technical challenges afterwards, and the ship didn’t make its first deployment in 2022 — more than five years after it was commissioned.
Evolution of military tattoos, Sailor Jerry to skull logos
The Global War on Terror and the age of the Punisher skull
After 9/11, the military saw a dramatic spike in tattoo culture. For many post-9/11 veterans, ink became both a cathartic outlet and a way to memorialize fallen comrades. Dog tags, battlefield crosses, KIA dates and American flags — often inked across the chest, ribs, or forearms — became some of the most common images.
One symbol rose to near mythic prominence during this period: the Punisher skull.
Originally a comic book antihero created by Marvel in 1974, the Punisher’s white skull logo was adopted by many military units during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Special operations units were particularly fond of it, using it as a symbol of aggression and dominance.
The skull’s popularity eventually spread to conventional forces and law enforcement — and not without controversy. Even the character’s co-creator, Gerry Conway, has criticized its use. In a 2019 interview with SYFY Wire, Conway said: “The Punisher is a vigilante who shouldn’t be held up as a role model. Using his symbol as a military emblem or a police symbol is completely antithetical to the character’s purpose.”
Ritch Green, one of five tattoo artists brought to U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay
From taboo to tradition
It wasn’t long ago that tattoos could disqualify someone from joining the military. But now, they’re so ubiquitous that even generals sport them, albeit carefully hidden. The Navy, which once banned visible tattoos above the collar, now permits neck tattoos and full sleeves, as long as they don’t contain offensive content.
Tattoo parlors have popped up near every major base, and entire deployments have been marked with group tattoos — a modern-day version of a class ring or a battle streamer.
While tastes have evolved (we’ve moved past barbed wire and tribal suns, mostly), the desire remains the same: to mark a moment, remember a comrade or show the world you were there.
Because in the military, you earn your scars. Sometimes on the battlefield. Sometimes in the tattoo chair.
SOME OF THESE STORIES MIGHT CATCH YOUR ATTENTION...
Why troops secretly relate to SpongeBob’s ‘I’m a Goofy Goober’ spiral
Observation Post by Clay Beyersdorfer
It happens about 80 minutes into “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.” SpongeBob, denied a promotion and humiliated in front of his co-workers, wanders into the Goofy Goober Ice Cream Party Boat. He proceeds to spiral.After a binge of sundaes and shame, he stumbles on stage, belting out a shredded guitar solo rendition of “I’m a Goofy Goober (Rock!)” in front of a confused crowd. There’s glitter. There’s foam. There’s full-throttle emotional release.
And if you’ve spent any amount of time in uniform, you’ve likely seen that clip — or at least a meme of it — shared with eerie sincerity. Maybe you laughed. Perhaps you rolled your eyes. But maybe, just maybe, it hit a little too close to home.
For all its absurdity, SpongeBob’s “Goofy Goober” breakdown has become an unlikely touchstone in military circles, particularly among those who know what it feels like to carry more than they’re allowed to say.
It’s the screaming catharsis that never happens in a formation. The ridiculous meltdown captures the quiet, internal ones that don’t make it into war movies. Every service member who’s ever needed to cry and didn’t, who’s ever felt out of place in their own civilian life and who’s ever tried to joke their way through pain that had no good language. SpongeBob just says it louder.
Military culture breeds stoicism. You learn quickly not to complain, hesitate or show weakness. And when the mission ends and the uniform comes off, all that armor doesn’t just evaporate. It calcifies. You carry it home, to your relationships, jobs and silence.
SpongeBob, in contrast, is absurdly open. He is the emotional inverse of everything military training drills into you. He’s hopeful. He’s naive. He wears his feelings on his sleeves — and when those sleeves get dirty, he cries about it in a room full of strangers.
And that’s the point. Strangely, that scene feels honest. Honest about what it feels like when you’ve been holding it together for too long. Honest about what happens when the ridiculousness finally outweighs the rules. SpongeBob’s meltdown is a stand-in for the veteran who doesn’t drink to party, but to forget. It’s the laugh-before-you-snap moment familiar to anyone who’s ever been “fine” until they weren’t.
The song “I’m a Goofy Goober” isn’t just silly. It’s defiant. When SpongeBob shouts, “I’m a kid, you say? When you say I’m a kid, I say: Say it again!” he’s rejecting the labels people assign to him. He’s rejecting the structure. He’s saying, “I’m still me, even if I don’t fit what you think I should be.”
That hits hard when you’ve gone from commanding missions to being told to use the kiosk at the DMV. When you’ve gone from decision-making in high-pressure scenarios to being passed over for jobs because “you don’t have corporate experience.” When you’ve buried friends, you get asked to “tone it down” in staff meetings.
It’s easy to laugh at SpongeBob’s dramatics. But a lot of veterans would tell you it’s the closest thing to what their emotional breakdown might look like — if they ever let themselves have one.
When the military tried to give soldiers personal flying platforms
NICHOLAS SLAYTON Task & Purpose
UPDATED JAN 1, 2026 12:53 PM ESTIn the 1950s the Navy and Army worked on small VTOL machines to make troops go airborne. They worked, just not well enough.
For decades the United States military has dreamed of developing jetpacks to ferry troops around. Personalized flying machines could turn an infantryman into an airborne fighter. But alongside rocket-propelled soldiers, the U.S. military also once gave personal vertical take-off and landing machines a shot.
They are better described, and are classified as flying platforms. Soldiers would stand on a small platform, which itself was over a large fan that would generate lift and get troops airborne. Steering itself would actually be simple: soldiers would lean, tilting the platform and directing it where they wanted to go, almost like a surfboard.
In the mid-1950s the Office of Naval Research, in a joint project with the Army, began to see if flying platforms would be both feasible and practical. And it turns out, the personal VTOL machines worked. Troops did fly on them
According to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, the idea for flying platforms started in earnest in the late 1940s. In 1953 the Army began its flying platform projects, contracting with Hiller Aircraft and de Lackner Helicopters. The Office of Naval Research was already working with Hiller, so a joint-service venture started. De Lackner created its DH-4 Aerocycle (designated the HZ-1), which had a smaller platform right above spinning rotors. It worked but was shelved due to the risk.
More success came with the Hiller projects. The Office of Naval Research got Hiller’s first design, the 1031-A-1 flying platform. It stood 7-feet tall, with an 8-foot-in-diameter platform, with the fan almost as wide. With two engines, it could hit a top speed of 16 miles per hour. The flying platforms were meant to be stable enough and easy enough to control that soldiers on them could still aim and fire small arms while airborne. Photos from some of the tests of the 1031-A-1 show service members aiming and firing rifles while in the sky
The Army, after giving up on the Aerocycle, turned to Hiller, getting a larger version of the 1031-A-1 with more thrust. The Hiller VZ-1 Pawnee began testing in 1957, with three engines. However the increased size made the idea of kinesthetic control impractical. Soldiers could not easily steer or maneuver on the Pawnee. Attempts to adjust the power and size didn’t resolve the issue.
That time the US military burned down one of its own bases with a ‘bat bomb’
WILD BATS WITH NAPALM,
WHAT COULD GO WRONG????
by Joshua Skovlund, Task & Purpose
Bats use echolocation to find food and places to rest. Add in an incendiary device glued to their chest, and you now have a firestorm that can wreak havoc on any enemy. Or so Pennsylvania dental surgeon Dr. Lytle S. Adams thought during World War II.
The problem is that you don’t know where they will go once released. Add to it that it’s generally a bad idea to mix explosives, adhesives, and wildlife.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Adams made a fateful trip to the Carlsbad Caverns National Parkduring a vacation to New Mexico. He was awed by the hundreds of thousands of bats that nested in the caves.
The bats were still on his mind later in day as he drove away when news came across the car’s radio of the attack on Pearl Harbor. According to the National Institute of Health, he was “outraged over this travesty, [Adams] began to mentally construct a plan for U.S. retaliation.
The idea Adams came up with — a ‘bat bomb,’ with 1,000 bats carrying napalm into a city full of wooden buildings — led to one of the U.S.’s most bizarre weapons development programs of all time, one that Adams believed could bring about a quick end of the war but did little more than burn down a flight training base in the U.S.
Adams knew that buildings in Japanese cities were predominantly built of wood. His idea was to develop an empty bomb case that, rather than hold explosives, would hold 1,040 bats toting napalm-like incendiary gel with timed fuses. Dropped over Tokyo, the bats would create a hellish cyclone with incendiary devices throughout Tokyo, hopefully bringing about an end to World War II
Adams put his idea in a letter to the White House, where he had professional contacts who got the letter to President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt was interested, if cautious, telling staffers, “This man is not a nut. It sounds like a perfectly wild idea but is worth looking into,” according to author Jack Couffer’s book, “Bat Bomb: World War II’s Other Secret Weapon.”
Couffer was a young filmmaker who had grown up studying bats and other birds as a teenager. He would go on to a career making dozens of nature documentaries, but he was drafted into the Army early in World War II and assigned to the bat bomb project and witnessed much of its three-year development.
The development and testing, dubbed Project X-Ray, was based in New Mexico. The program developed a metal bomb casing with three horizontal layers, similar to upside-down ice cube trays, where bats would nest. To keep them docile — or as docile as a bat strapped with a bomb can be — they would be placed in an artificial cold-induced hibernation. The “bat bomb” was designed to be released from high altitudes just before dawn, when bats naturally seek out a place to sleep during the daylight hours.
Tips to achieve the ultimate dirty Navy-style coffee mug
Sarah Sicard MilitaryTimes
The Navy may have the most complicated rank structure when it comes to its ratings system, but there is another, much more uncouth method for establishing hierarchy among sailors: Filthy coffee mugs.
It is a commonly-held truth in the seafaring service that one can tell a higher-up from a newbie based on the amount of sludge that lives in the bottom of one’s coffee cup.
So, in the interest of salt, here are some professional tips, from Navy veterans, to get an optimally seasoned mug.
1. Always drink black coffee. Milk or creamer curdles and introduces bacteria into the mix. Sour lactose creates a hostile environment — not ideal for going years without washing your mug.
2. Drink the whole cup of coffee. Don’t leave even a drop behind. You want to season the mug with a faint film, not swigging day-old coffee every morning.
3. For extra flavoring, take the leftover coffee grounds from the filter and let them rest in the cup for a few days before dumping it out. Treat your mug like a cast iron skillet.
4. If you need to, rinse it lightly with just a little water. This is only to be done in cases where the buildup is starting to become untenable.
5. Don’t wash the mug with the soap. Ever. You might be tempted every now and again to give it a good soak. Don’t. You will lose all the flavoring, respect from your near-peers and any chance at an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy.
VA's updated list of Agent Orange sites outside of Vietnam
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released in January an updated Department of Defense (DOD) list of locations outside of Vietnam where tactical herbicides were used, tested or stored by the United States military.
“This update was necessary to improve accuracy and communication of information,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “VA depends on DOD to provide information regarding in-service environmental exposure for disability claims based on exposure to herbicides outside of Vietnam."
DOD conducted a thorough review of research, reports and government publications in response to a November 2018 Government Accountability Office report.
“DOD will continue to be responsive to the needs of our interagency partners in all matters related to taking care of both current and former service members,” said Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper. “The updated list includes Agents Orange, Pink, Green, Purple, Blue and White and other chemicals and will be updated as verifiable information becomes available.”
Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service may be eligible for a variety of VA benefits, including an Agent Orange Registry health exam, health care and disability compensation for diseases associated with exposure. Their dependents and survivors also may be eligible for benefits.
How a WW2 banana shortage changed the course of Twinkie history
by Sarah Sicard, Observation Post
Is there anything sweeter — literally or figuratively — than biting into the plastic-wrapped chemical compound of luxuriously spongey cake with vanilla cream that is a Twinkie?
Perhaps not. But the original Hostess delicacy was once something else entirely. The preservative-filled dessert that many once believed could withstand nuclear war got its start as a banana cream shortcake, until World War II changed everything.
In 1930, a baker named James Dewar began experimenting while serving as manager of Continental Baking Company’s Chicago area plant in River Forest, according to the Chicago Tribune. He wanted to prove that shortbread could serve a purpose outside strawberry shortcake.
“The economy was getting tight, and the company needed to come out with another low-priced item,” he told the paper. “We were already selling these little finger cakes during the strawberry season for shortcake, but the pans we baked them in sat idle except for that six-week season.”
While in St. Louis on a work trip, Dewar saw a billboard for “Twinkle Toe Shoes,” and thus found the name for his compact confections.
Some Stories that Inspire, and have 'Positive Energy'
U.S. military’s longest-serving woman 4-star general retires from Air Force
U.S. military’s longest-serving woman 4-star general retires from Air Force
U.S. military’s longest-serving woman 4-star general retires from Air Force
by Patty Nieberg, Task & Purpose
The first woman to lead the U.S. military’s massive logistical enterprise and one of just a handful to ever reach the rank of four-star general in the U.S. military retired Friday. Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost passed command of U.S. Transportation Command to Gen. Randall Reed in a ceremony at Scott Air Force Base attended by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
Promoted to General in August of 2020, Van Ovost was the senior officer in that rank among the four women four-star generals and admirals across the U.S. military.
As the head of TRANSCOM, Ovost was responsible for coordinating nearly all movement of U.S. troops, weapons and supplies around the globe. The logistics command dispatches hundreds of military and civilian-owned planes, ships, trains and trucks every day.
“Just a few days ago, we celebrated the 37th birthday of TRANSCOM — a command that was born out of necessity that was built to deploy U.S. forces. Over time, our mandate has expanded to project, maneuver and sustain the joint force at a time and place our nation’s choosing,” Van Ovost said at the change of command ceremony. “If we were a necessity, we are indispensable now.”
At the ceremony, Austin spoke of Van Ovost as a trailblazer for women in the service.
“You’ve always had a message for women in uniform. And that message is: ‘Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it,’” Austin said. ”Every time that you encountered an obstacle, you kept at it.“
CBS News reported in 2023 that only 10 women have ever reached the four-star rank across the military, including the Coast Guard. Of those, Van Ovost was the fifth woman in the Air Force to reach the rank. However, the military she retired from Friday holds far more opportunities for women than when she joined, an era when women not yet allowed to fly fighter jets, Van Ovost’s lifelong goal.
So she found a workaround.
“You wanted to fly Mach 2. But back then, women weren’t allowed to fly fighters. So once again, you made the path wider,” Austin said. “You became a test pilot. And you flew more than 30 aircraft, including F-15s and F-16s.”
Van Ovost retired with more than 4,200 flight hours in more than 30 aircraft.
100 Marines showed up for an Iwo Jima veteran’s 100th Birthday
U.S. military’s longest-serving woman 4-star general retires from Air Force
U.S. military’s longest-serving woman 4-star general retires from Air Force
by Matt White - Task & Purpose
Eddie Vincek landed on Iwo Jima about an hour after the first wave of Marines hit the beach. A member of 1st Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, it was his first taste of combat, he told an interviewer with his Veterans of Foreign Wars post.
“Working on a dairy farm,” he told the VFW, “I was used to seeing animal blood, but not human blood covering over the ground.”
On Sept. 29, Vincek celebrated his 100th birthday at a Ruritan Club in Chesapeake, Virginia, where he was a farmer for most of his life after leaving the Marine Corps in 1946.
For the party, 100 active-duty Marines showed up to help him celebrate. The Marines came from Training Company, Marine Corps Security Force Regiment, in Yorktown, Virginia, about an hour from Chesapeake.
The Marines stood in formation to sing Happy Birthday for “Corporal Vincek.”
On Feb. 19, 1945, Vincek was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division for the Iwo Jima landing. In fierce fighting, the 28th Regiment was the only Marine unit to reach its objective for the day at the base of Mount Suribachi.
It was also Marines from the 28th Regiment — though not Vincek’s battalion — who first planted a flag on top of the mountain (and a second one the next day), leading to the iconic photograph and design of the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial.
Two men from Vincek’s 1st Battalion were awarded the Medal of Honor at Iwo Jima. Of the battalion’s 22 officers, only two emerged from the battle uninjured.
“I was one of the few that walked off carrying my own gear,” Vincek told the VFW. “So many others had been killed or wounded and weren’t able to carry their own gear off the island.”
We found 4 bottles of whiskey made by airborne paratroopers
U.S. military’s longest-serving woman 4-star general retires from Air Force
The origin of the military’s iconic mantra: ‘Embrace the suck’
Whiskey has likely been around for some of your most memorable late-night shenanigans in the barracks or downtown. If there’s anything America’s airborne paratroopers know, it’s how to fight and how to drink good whiskey.
So we talked to four Airborne-qualified master distillers who took their well-researched opinions and made some of the best whiskeys out there. Although they make good whiskey, remember that you have gone too far if you find yourself in the brig. Drink responsibly.
First, a brief history of whiskey in America
In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, America was struggling to pay off its war debt (ah, the good ol’ days when America cared about keeping the nation’s debt under control). Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton proposed a tax in the late 1700s on domestic liquor as a means of paying it off — which was met with opposition from whiskey makers in Pennsylvania.
The Whiskey Rebellion that resulted was short-lived, but it was not the last time whiskey would be involved in war. The brown elixir fueled soldiers throughout the Civil War, especially the North, who were paid better and could afford it.
Gen. Ulysses S. Grant slammed Old Crow whiskey, and President Abraham Lincoln allegedly likened the General’s success on the battlefield to his liquor consumption. The New York Herald reported in a Sept. 18, 1863 edition of the newspaper that Lincoln was approached by a group calling for Grant to be removed from his position, claiming he was a drunk.
The tall hat-wearing president allegedly responded with a quirky quip, asking the group if they knew what Grant was drinking.
“If I can only find out, I will send a barrel of this wonderful whiskey to every general in the army,” Lincoln allegedly said. Historians contest the legitimacy of the quote because of the anonymous sources, but the legend lives on to this day.
Whiskey’s relationship with soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen is not a coincidence, in Derek Sisson’s opinion.
The origin of the military’s iconic mantra: ‘Embrace the suck’
The origin of the military’s iconic mantra: ‘Embrace the suck’
The origin of the military’s iconic mantra: ‘Embrace the suck’
by Sarah Sicard, Observation Post
One of the best pieces of advice, for people in careers both in and out of service, is to learn to deal with things or take the bad in stride.
But the military, famed for its ability to turn a phrase or ruin anything with an absurd acronym, came up with its own colloquialism for making the best of any situation: “Embrace the suck.”
Though it’s impossible to trace back the phrase definitively to its first user, it became popularized in 2003 by Marines in Iraq.
Retired U.S. Army Reserve Col. Austin Bay authored a book in the mid-2000s called “Embrace the Suck,” in which he explains the meaning of the phrase.
“The Operation Iraqi Freedom phrase ‘embrace the suck’ is both an implied order and wise advice couched as a vulgar quip,” Bay wrote.
He likens the slang phrase back to legendary military strategist Prussian General Carl von Clausewitz and his views on “friction.”
“Clausewitz went to war when he was 12 years old,” Bay wrote. “Over the last few decades, critics have argued that his treatise ‘On War’ is a bit dated in terms of theory. However, everyone with military experience agrees that Clausewitz understood ‘the suck.’ He called it ‘friction.’”
For Clausewitz, it’s this “friction, or what is so termed here, which makes that which appears easy in war difficult in reality.”
Troops, in their resilience, in effect, mitigate the chasm of difference between training or planning and the often harsh realities they face on the ground. And they do it with aplomb, because they must.
Marines: 0, Samurai sword: 1
The origin of the military’s iconic mantra: ‘Embrace the suck’
Air Force Veteran Finally Graduates 50 Years Later
The U.S. military may be a professional war-fighting organization, but it is also filled with people, and people can be very stupid sometimes. That’s why last week, Task & Purpose put out a call for readers to share the dumbest moments they had in uniform. We were not disappointed.
From drunken samurai sword fights to bored forklift drivers, a clear theme emerged: boredom is one step away from a chewing-out by the nearest platoon sergeant.
The best example of this is a story that one Marine veteran named Mike Betts sent us about the time he and his buddies got drunk on salty dogs (a cocktail of gin or vodka and grapefruit juice) in Vietnam. One of the Marines pulled out “a cheap samurai sword he got in Japan,” Betts recalled. Our reader then took the sword and, as one does while inebriated, “commenced my best samurai impression, slashing at anything and everything in the hooch.”
You can see where this is going: at some point during the demonstration, our brave Samurai smacked something that loosened the blade and sent it flying from the handle, striking the sword owner in the chest “and inflicting a pretty nasty wound.”
Nobody wants to have to explain that kind of trouble to someone in charge, so our reader and his fellows snuck the wounded Marine past the officer and sergeant on duty that night and “hustled him off to the hospital” before anyone could notice. Luckily, he was “stitched up and pronounced fit for duty,” Betts said.
“Needless to say, I felt terrible about hurting him,” he added.
Air Force Veteran Finally Graduates 50 Years Later
The origin of the military’s iconic mantra: ‘Embrace the suck’
Air Force Veteran Finally Graduates 50 Years Later
Vietnam War kept Bob Kroener from walking across stage with USC classmates in 1971.
Having to wait an extra year to participate in his graduation ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic paled in comparison to the 49 years that had already passed for Bob Kroener, 78, who finally attended his graduate-school commencement on May 17.
The now-retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and civil engineer missed his pomp and circumstance in 1971 due to his deployment during the Vietnam War. So, when he was thumbing through the University of Southern California's alumni magazine a few years ago and saw pictures of that year's graduation festivities he felt it was finally his time to walk across the stage.
"I was sitting there looking at it and I thought, You know, I never got to go through graduation,” he said. “So I picked up the phone, and I called over to the Marshall School of Business."
During the call, USC officials inquired if he had received his diploma and whether he had other information that would help them locate his decades-old records. The school also asked for his student ID number, to which he replied, “I'm too old for that, we only had a Social Security number."
Back to school
The road to Southern California started north of the border. Then a captain in the Air Force after receiving an undergraduate degree from the University of Detroit, Kroener was stationed at a military base in Canada when he learned that he secured one of 26 government-funded spots offered to Air Force officers for graduate school. From a snow-covered mountaintop in Newfoundland he was informed of the schools he could apply to.
"I heard the University of Southern California and I said, ‘I'll take it. I'm going back to sit on the beach after being in 110 inches of snow for a year.’ It wasn't too hard of a decision to make,” said Kroener.
However, it wasn't just the weather that Kroener appreciated about going to school in Los Angeles. He was able to take advantage of the wide variety of corporations that would open doors to students like himself.
"I went to [oil company] Atlantic Richfield to do a paper, I went to Mattel toy company to do a paper, I went to Continental Airlines to basically write a master's thesis, myself and another captain,” he said. “All you had to do was say you're a student doing graduate work at USC. And I mean, they just opened the doors."
Kroener earned his MBA in 1971, but before the graduation ceremony took place he was deployed to Robins Air Force Base in Georgia. As part of his duties, he managed combat engineering teams by setting up their directives and getting them all the equipment needed to prepare for combat in Vietnam. He eventually retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1993.
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