One main thing I was supposed to cover in this blog is how technology can be useful in my area of "expertise". While I do not claim to be an expert regarding the military or serving veterans (I have a lot to learn!), I do know that I have some experience now and can shed some insight on what I know about technology today.
Our main pieces of equipment when making ID cards for soldiers and dependents included a laptop, camera and a fingerprint reader. Security of course is high and we always wanted to ensure the person getting the ID made was who they claimed to be. Now, I've been out for a few years and I am sitting here wondering if perhaps a webcam could be incorporated in the process...
Working at the Veterans Service Office is great and of course, we use some up to date technology to keep our busy office running. We don't use any sort of mobile apps that I'm aware of, but we do keep a website up to date. We have computers of course and the print, scan and faxing capabilities on our copier. It amazes me though now to see that our faxes actually can come through right onto the computer instead of printing off. Perhaps this is something that all business (National Guard included) are incorporating into their companies. I don't know, I just find it fascinating.
Then there's the fancy little speaker phones. But really if you think about it, we use technology on a daily basis to communicate with the veterans and their families. I can actually create a fax right out of our database without having to use paper. Also, we call the cell phones of veterans, which is another form of technology that just keeps getting better.
I hope you all have enjoyed this blog as much as I enjoyed writing it. I am sometimes still afraid to share the not so happy parts of my story, but I am becoming stronger about it and less worried about what others will think of me. Thank you for your time and feel free to comment.
That's all folks!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
A Positive Turn in Life
As I said previously, things are looking up. I finally wised up to figuring out my VA benefits. One of the best things I've done so far was walk into the VA Regional Office and meet my vocational rehabilitation counselor. Using my GI Bill has enabled me to leave Quad and start school full time. January of this year started my first semester. Surprising myself, I earned a 3.8 GPA (I hope to keep it up!)
At the end of April, I spoke with my counselor from the VA and learned I could perform a work study funded through the VA. I am so thankful and proud to say I have been at the Veterans Service Office as an assistant. I also want to share that I am performing successfully enough that my supervisor approached me about applying for a full time opening we had. But my goal at this point is to keep fast tracking through my schooling and earning my degree. It is nice to know I am useful and well liked.
Life really is great. At one point in time (for quite a long time) I did not find any worth to myself. But I have become enthusiastic about my life as a whole and have discovered I have a bright future ahead of me.
I guess the main point of this whole blog (besides trying to earn an "A") is to prove that things do get better. I know there are many people, veterans included, that struggle with mental issues. I just want people to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Most importantly, if you are considering leaving this world before your time, please reconsider and explore other avenues. There are options out there for even the lowliest souls out there. People just need a desire to better their situations and once that happens, the sky's the limit. I feel confident in saying that I know this first-hand.
At the end of April, I spoke with my counselor from the VA and learned I could perform a work study funded through the VA. I am so thankful and proud to say I have been at the Veterans Service Office as an assistant. I also want to share that I am performing successfully enough that my supervisor approached me about applying for a full time opening we had. But my goal at this point is to keep fast tracking through my schooling and earning my degree. It is nice to know I am useful and well liked.
Life really is great. At one point in time (for quite a long time) I did not find any worth to myself. But I have become enthusiastic about my life as a whole and have discovered I have a bright future ahead of me.
I guess the main point of this whole blog (besides trying to earn an "A") is to prove that things do get better. I know there are many people, veterans included, that struggle with mental issues. I just want people to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Most importantly, if you are considering leaving this world before your time, please reconsider and explore other avenues. There are options out there for even the lowliest souls out there. People just need a desire to better their situations and once that happens, the sky's the limit. I feel confident in saying that I know this first-hand.
Could Things Get Any Worse?
I was sent from Kuwait to Fort Bliss in Texas (near El Paso). Things just kept getting worse for me. I spent several months there, falling deeper into depression. I felt like my life was slipping away. And in a way it was. I finally got home in October of 2009, but things were no better. My child and ex-husband had to put up with a wife and mom that was not "with it". It was more like I was just existing and not living. Eventually he and I split up (due to problems not related). At first the custody was 50/50. It soon happened where my depression worsened and I could not quite be the mother I had always thought I would be. He ended up having main custody of her.
I tried school for a short time at a private college. It didn't work and the funds I had to live on were soon gone. This is the point where I had to move back home. I did get a job fairly quickly working at Quad Graphics. It was okay, I was making some money, but I didn't feel like my true skills were being used. Instead of being like an office assistant of sorts, I was feeding magazine covers onto a machine that is bigger than a house and clearing up jam after jam. Very frustrating and I was still going through a period of depression.
At the time of this posting, I am still living at home but I am finally doing something with my life that I feel is of value. Life is definitely looking up for me. I still have bouts of depression at times, but I do see a doctor to regulate it and keep my mood in a more positive state. I also spend as much time as possible with my daughter, whom I love dearly.
I tried school for a short time at a private college. It didn't work and the funds I had to live on were soon gone. This is the point where I had to move back home. I did get a job fairly quickly working at Quad Graphics. It was okay, I was making some money, but I didn't feel like my true skills were being used. Instead of being like an office assistant of sorts, I was feeding magazine covers onto a machine that is bigger than a house and clearing up jam after jam. Very frustrating and I was still going through a period of depression.
At the time of this posting, I am still living at home but I am finally doing something with my life that I feel is of value. Life is definitely looking up for me. I still have bouts of depression at times, but I do see a doctor to regulate it and keep my mood in a more positive state. I also spend as much time as possible with my daughter, whom I love dearly.
A Falling Star
In my last post, I talked about how I became a full timer. Unfortunately, as quickly as I was like a rising star, I fell down without being able to pick myself back up.
I had apprehensions about starting my new position at the armory. But my new supervisor turned out to be someone I had worked with previously, and he made me feel welcome there. We even became good friends, one I keep in contact with to this day. Anyways, life at the armory was okay, but I no longer felt like I was the knowledgeable one. It seemed I had to constantly ask questions and couldn't remember any of the answers to what I needed to be doing. I felt lost and kind of hopeless, in a way. I felt I couldn't trust myself to make any sound decisions anymore. Especially when we had drill weekends, and I had to attempt to lead the soldiers that were placed under me. It was like the blind leading a pack of children.
In February of 2009, my unit was sent to Texas to train for deployment. I started having issues with things, one of them being my memory was shot and I seemed to be in a constant fog. I couldn't sleep and things just seemed to be spiraling out of control. I lost my rank and was demoted down to Sergeant due to what is called a negligent discharge (thankfully, it was just a blank and not a real round). Then we shipped off to Kuwait. After arriving there, I started feeling really strange. I was having panic attacks and I had severe paranoia and depression. I went to be seen by a doctor and was told I would not be going to Iraq, but would be sent back to the United States. And that is the time when I had to pretty much say goodbye to my career.
I had apprehensions about starting my new position at the armory. But my new supervisor turned out to be someone I had worked with previously, and he made me feel welcome there. We even became good friends, one I keep in contact with to this day. Anyways, life at the armory was okay, but I no longer felt like I was the knowledgeable one. It seemed I had to constantly ask questions and couldn't remember any of the answers to what I needed to be doing. I felt lost and kind of hopeless, in a way. I felt I couldn't trust myself to make any sound decisions anymore. Especially when we had drill weekends, and I had to attempt to lead the soldiers that were placed under me. It was like the blind leading a pack of children.
In February of 2009, my unit was sent to Texas to train for deployment. I started having issues with things, one of them being my memory was shot and I seemed to be in a constant fog. I couldn't sleep and things just seemed to be spiraling out of control. I lost my rank and was demoted down to Sergeant due to what is called a negligent discharge (thankfully, it was just a blank and not a real round). Then we shipped off to Kuwait. After arriving there, I started feeling really strange. I was having panic attacks and I had severe paranoia and depression. I went to be seen by a doctor and was told I would not be going to Iraq, but would be sent back to the United States. And that is the time when I had to pretty much say goodbye to my career.
Impulsive Decisions Can Lead to Careers
Before my 19th birthday, I was working as a temp at Tombstone Pizza and had zero direction in my life. Then one day a friend of mine said to me, "Why don't you join the National Guard? It's cool." I kind of laughed at him and said, "Yeah, right." What on earth would I do in the military, I wondered. Then a few days later, the thought occurred to me that perhaps I should join. I didn't have anything else going on in life. So in January of 1998, I walked into an armory and asked about joining. Long story short, I was enlisted shortly thereafter and within a couple of weeks, I shipped off to basic training.
Fast forward to fall of 2000. I was working on orders (like a temp position) for the National Guard. One of my sergeants suggested I apply for a full time position. Again, it was like, "right." How would I ever even dream of being a full timer? But with a little help, I put together my application and submitted it. Lo and behold, I was hired! I was quite excited, to say the least.
I spent the next 7 years working for State Headquarters. I loved it!! I knew the job like the back of my hand and always felt I was "on my game". Once the deployments started, I spent a great deal of time at Fort McCoy assisting soldiers with preparing the necessary paperwork to be ready for mobilization. I also had the privilege of creating ID cards for the soldiers and their families.
In November of 2007, I was offered a position working at an armory in Northern Wisconsin. I was thrilled at the thought of a promotion (who wouldn't be?) and accepted. Unfortunately, it did not turn out the way I hoped. Check out my next post to read on.
Fast forward to fall of 2000. I was working on orders (like a temp position) for the National Guard. One of my sergeants suggested I apply for a full time position. Again, it was like, "right." How would I ever even dream of being a full timer? But with a little help, I put together my application and submitted it. Lo and behold, I was hired! I was quite excited, to say the least.
I spent the next 7 years working for State Headquarters. I loved it!! I knew the job like the back of my hand and always felt I was "on my game". Once the deployments started, I spent a great deal of time at Fort McCoy assisting soldiers with preparing the necessary paperwork to be ready for mobilization. I also had the privilege of creating ID cards for the soldiers and their families.
In November of 2007, I was offered a position working at an armory in Northern Wisconsin. I was thrilled at the thought of a promotion (who wouldn't be?) and accepted. Unfortunately, it did not turn out the way I hoped. Check out my next post to read on.
Introducing Sandi
My name is Sandi. I am 34 years old and raising a sweet 7 year old daughter. I served for almost 12 years in the Army National Guard, 9 years of which were spent working full time for the military. I loved it. I felt like I had found my place in life. Unfortunately, a deep depression set in, and I soon found myself (honorably) discharged. I felt lost without my long time career. Then a couple of years ago, I had to move in with family. After a year and a half of working in a job that was not so suitable for me, I found out what sort of benefits I could use through the Veterans Affairs (VA), and now I am using my GI Bill for schooling. Currently I am in school to earn my degree as an administrative professional. I am also performing duties as a work study assistant at my local Veterans Service Office. I think I may have once again found my calling. I always loved serving my soldiers and now, serving veterans and their families. This is my personal blog. Keep an eye out as I will be posting over the next couple of days on topics having to do with my transition from soldier to civilian.
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