Ship 5 Moms(Formerly Ship 17)

what does "The ONLY thing they can get is from the FAFSA" mean??? its not a complete statement, so Im not understanding what they "can get". Please explain. Thanks

My daughter went to legal TODAY- SHE was told that she IS a veteran- She is getting an HONORABLE Discharge- She IS eligible to RE-ENLIST- How can you say that someone that COMPLETED boot camp IS NOT a veteran, when they received an honorable discharge? They may not be eligible for ALL the benefits that OTHER veterans can get, but NOT ALL veterans that served LONGER are eligible for ALL the same benefits either. ( And BTW, my daughter was told the same thing as Navydad's son- She IS considered a veteran)

Jeanne... Yes he did enjoy it and so did we. Thanks for asking.

Yes, we are still here.

Please let us know when you hear something and keep us all updated.

Be Blessed.

http://www.moaa-nh.org/Do_You_Qualify_for_Federal_Veterans_Benefits...

In actuality, there is no standardized legal definition of "military veteran" in the United States. You see, veteran benefits weren't created all at one time. They've been added one-by-one for over 200 years by Congress. Each time Congress passed a new law authorizing and creating a new veteran benefit, they included eligibility requirements for that particular benefit. Whether or not one is considered a "veteran" by the federal government depends entirely upon which veteran program or benefit one is applying for.

Good Morning CP!!  Very nicely said. How is your son doing?

Terri, OMG!!! It's the exact same conversations as 2 months ago. WOW!

Anyway, to those of you who have loved one who have just or are going to be coming home soon, here is the deal with the FASFA.  They absolutly are concidered veterans by the US Government. However, the VA has an entirely different set of rules and, although her delivery sucks, Angie is correct in the fact that your returning SR's will not be elidgable for VA bennies. They will be elidgable for FASFA money, if school is the next step. Although the Financial Aid worker at the school will not know this and will fight with you about it. MAKE THEM CALL THE VA. As long as your kid has a DD214 that states they have an honorable discharge, they will be allowed to check the veteran status box on the financial aid paperwork which in turn will allow them independent status from you. In other words, the school will only look at their income when it comes to Pell Grant money (money they get for school that does not have to be paid back). It will make a huge difference financially for them and you. Again, you will need to force the issue, because the 180 days past boot camp is what everyone knows. Good luck, everything will be fine.

My son was sent to ship 5 after his eye exam; they say he has keratatitis.  This is a treatable eye infection, not something chronic that he's had all along. I think he must have got it at boot camp. Does anyone know how I find out if he is getting appropriate medical attention?

I am really praying I get a call.... but its not looking good. Congrats Bridgett. :)

I don't understand. I called legal and they told me he was on the departure list for Friday December 21!

I'm sorry, I don't mean to be a wet blanket. I am very happy for everyone :) Praying I get him home for New Years <3

THAT LITTLE SHIT CALLED HIS DAD AND WAS TRYING TO SUPRISE ME. omg.

Ugh!! I called his dad crying and he had to tell me. I'm all for surprises just not the ones that make me think that I'm not getting my husband for Christmas! I have to work all day tomorrow too which is just going to suck! But I am so happy, for all of us :)

@colorme and jeanne....

AWESOME!!!! I'm so glad your SR's are comin home. That's so awesome! I'm so happy for y'all!!

Hey colorme... hmmmm... work tomorrow?? Is that a serious cough I hear coming from you?? Hmmm.... maybe a docs appt? Feelin to rung out to go to work??? I think so!!! :D

Anyway... I'm so happy for you both. That's so awesome....

Happy Holidays!!

I wish!! I just started today so I don't think they'd appreciate it. Our plan was me quit my job until hubby was done with boot & training while I focused on school until we moved to his first duty station. That didn't happen, so I'm back to work! He will come see me on my lunch break and I GUESS I will slave through 8 more hours without him. :/

It is going to be hilarious to see his reaction to my belly now! (I'm pregnant) He left when I wasn't really showing...now I'm pretty showing. LOL

Okay I have not posted in a while but I have been following the posts. I am so glad that everyone's SR will be home for the holidays. Enjoy your time with them. I know our son made a comment that he has learned to appreciate everything he has. I have to laugh at what he says when I ask what he wants for Christmas. He said he has it, he came home (from ship 5). He says he lived without having things for about a month so he now needs to adjust again. I hope all of you have a Merry Christmas and cherish the time we have been given.

colorme... Well heck... It was a thought...but being the first day as you say, that wouldn't too good on your yearly evaluation... <sigh> BUT!!! The best part is almost home. That in itself should help relieve some stress for sure. Who knows, maybe the new boss has a heart and will let you go when hubby comes to see you at lunch... that would be nice...

Just wanted to say my son came home yesterday.

He sat in the bathroom with the door closed ( a rare treat he said) and showered "by himself". He too appreciates the small things now. I have to say, I am VERY upset by the fact he came home OWING the Navy!!!! They charge for the clothes and ditty bag - and he for some reason was not given the rank he signed for, so he nows owes the government almost $200!!!!!! Beyond grateful to have him back - so I am going to focus on that......Blessings to all!!!

Well, for those of you who live in warmer climates and still have loved ones on Ship 5, they awoke to a nice covering of clean white snow today. I'm sure their spirits are up, something about the first snowfall of the year in Chicago puts us midwesterners in a good mood. Be asured that everyone is going to have a good day today.

@Z's mom... The "Ditty bag" as it were isn't really a bag, but more of term for toiletries, underwear, socks, pt uniform, sweats and running shoes. Our son got hit for the $200 which he will have to pay back once the Navy sends him a bill for it. They didn't take it out of his pay since he had already been paid.

If a member of the armed forces was discharged during basic training for medical reasons, they are still considered a veteran for Federal student aid purposes so long as they served at least one day before being discharged.this is so confusing so if they get to boot camp and dont stay there more then one day ?

It's so great to see you all sharing with each other in here and standing up to "Angie."  When my son was separated from boot camp earlier this year, hardly anyone was communicating in this room and so I was not comfortable writing anything because whenever anyone would post a comment, sure enough "Angie" would make a negative comment.  It clearly says no critics for this group and that it is suppose to be a haven and not for those seeking to attack those in need of support!  No matter the reason a recruit is separated, these are our children who had dreams and it hurts to see your children's dreams shattered no matter how old they are.  My son waited a year for his ship date to only end up being separated after 5 weeks.  He came home in June.  He was able to receive unemployment as he had been working full-time for awhile before leaving for boot camp.  After he came back, he applied for college and financial aid and he received a Pell Grant and other aid and is going to college full-time and just finished the semester with all A's and works part-time.  And so life does go on.  But until then, continue to be there to support each other.  Support your children and spouses emotionally. Continue to ignore the things Angie says.  Some things she says are correct BUT she seems to be very insensitive to those in this group who are going through a difficult time and are trying to process and understand what has happened.  She is definitely not honoring what this group is suppose to be about. Merry Christmas to all.  Take comfort in knowing that the New Year will bring better times ahead.

So happy to see on here that most of the SR's are actually getting processed out pretty quickly.  It's stressful to try and get through a holiday knowing that they are NOT at all where they want to be.  Our life is moving on as well.  Registered for spring semester classes, back on my health insurance and working part time.  His brother is home from school so it's been pretty much status quo like no one was ever gone. Lol  Hoping you all have a very peaceful and joyous Christmas and that things will look better for the New Year! 

Jeanne-  So glad he made it home.  I've been thinking about you,  Hope you have a very  Merry Christmas.  Jan 11th will be a day to remember.  My SR says he is happy to be home but if he could be anyplace he would be back on that ship working for January 11th.