Transitioning from active duty to retirement can be an overwhelming process for many service members, especially when it comes to navigating the complex landscape of VA benefits. For one dedicated Air Force veteran, this journey was particularly challenging due to her unique and demanding career, which spanned roles from a communication/navigation troop on the flight line to a paralegal dealing with the legal intricacies of military operations. Despite her extensive service and the physical and mental toll it took, she found herself struggling to secure the necessary medical care and VA compensation as she approached retirement. Thankfully, through the unwavering support and expertise of Project One Vet @ A Time (POVAT), she was able to overcome these obstacles. In this testimonial, she shares her story of perseverance, the invaluable guidance provided by POVAT, and the profound impact its assistance had on ensuring a smooth and successful transition into retirement.
I joined the Air Force in 2003 as a communication/navigation troop for the Air Force’s KC-10 refueling aircraft and was stationed at McGuire AFB, NJ. I spent the first four years of my career working the flight line and flying as a crew chief for the Silver Bullet. The Silver Bullet is a 1960’s Air Stream trailer modified for aircraft power so we could travel distinguished visitors and Combatant Commanders in and out of theater while providing privacy, internet, and phone capabilities so they could continue to conduct business even in the air. That job brought me all over the world and in and out of every military area of responsibility. After my first enlistment, I cross-trained into paralegal where I held various positions across the career field to include prosecution, defense, operations law, civil law, and law office management. I deployed twice as a paralegal for the Joint Special Operations Command; the first was to Bagram, Afghanistan as the Law Office Manager, and the second was to Djibouti, Africa where I served as the Air Operations noncommissioned officer scheduling all US Forces airspace and training missions in and out of theater.
My job as a maintainer was obviously very physically demanding and subjected me to hazardous chemicals and the elements on a regular basis. Although becoming a paralegal brought me into an office, the mental stressors and daily exposure to disturbing and violent crimes was not something I was prepared for or expecting. Although vicarious trauma is something the Air Force has only started discussing in recent years, I can attest it was a real thing long before it was acknowledged. From my early days on the flight line until my last position as a Paralegal Center Manager, I had an incredibly atypical and diverse career working with all branches of services in unique positions and circumstances. Although my career came at a great deal of personal expense, I will forever be grateful for my once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
I was fortunate enough to be introduced to Project One Vet @ A Time (POVAT) by Lyle Rosin, POVAT’s Program Director. He was my supervisor when I worked for the Air Mobility Command’s legal office at Scott AFB, IL. Years later, Lyle and I crossed paths again while he served as the Command Paralegal Manager for Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and I was attached to one of AFSOC’s classified units. He messaged me one day out of the blue when he knew I was approaching retirement. He offered me help with my transition, mostly because he knew I was the kind of person who wouldn’t get help on my own. Lyle knew I would need the push to take care of myself post-military, and he was 100% correct.
One of the biggest challenges I faced as an active-duty member going through the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) process was getting primary care manager (PCM; doctor) appointments. PCMs were undermanned and getting an appointment took a minimum of six to eight weeks. When I did get an appointment, it was rushed, and the notes entered into my medical service treatment records were never very thorough. That meant I had to keep making follow up appointments and keep relaying the issues I was having over and over again. I would have given up after the first two appointments if I didn’t have POVAT behind me urging me to hang in there.
POVAT definitely acquired the proper service-connected VA compensation and pension rating. I never would have been able to go through this process on my own. I found it confusing, daunting, and a little disheartening because it felt like no matter what I did, I wasn’t getting anywhere or making any progress. POVAT was the constant push and support I needed to help get me to the finish line. It was a lot of work on both our parts, but just like they kept assuring me throughout the process, it was worth every ounce of effort in the end.
If not for POVAT walking me through this process and urging me to keep going even when the VA made things difficult, I would have given up…I wouldn’t have pursued the claims process. I would have been that person who said I didn’t need help, knowing full well I did. POVAT’s assistance has been life-changing for me. My rating has qualified me for healthcare through the VA, so I am able to see doctors and specialty care whenever I need it at no cost to me. Before my rating was final, I went to pick up one of my prescriptions and was met with a co-pay of $1200, so I had no choice but to leave without my medication. Because of POVAT’s help, I can use the VA pharmacy, and now that same medication is mailed straight to my home once a month for free. That is just one small example I can give of all the millions of ways this has changed my life. I will be forever indebted to POVAT and everything they have done for me and my fellow deserving Veterans.
To learn more about the amazing work POVAT does for Veterans, click the link HERE.