1-stop-shop for Veteran benefits: CivDivonline.com Resume (redacted): docs.google.com/document/d/1a1-zizTr-Se28dLs9zBsO9JHofy0m0X8/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113368883912051394518&rtpof=true&sd=true Secret War Video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pqh_oNB3sZyopZs.htmlsi=H1696sjmWXfBqOFY - Clay

Got out as an Army SGT Sept 2004. Never understood VA disability benefits until 2020 when I started submitting claims. Got 10% that initial claim, got denied and gave up a few years. Started submitting claims in 2024 again and now 90%, with my goal of 100% T&D, cause I know I am that disabled. Never give up and Happy 4th! 💯🎉🎇

This older vet thanks for you for attempting to assist us all, young and old.

@TheCivDiv Wow kid. I got out 24 years ago in Aug 2000. Welcome to life. Thanks for all you do and have done. We all NEED you in this fight!

i was discharged in 1967 and i dont know if i wasnt listening in the out er view, but i never filed a claim until 2023, because i wasnt aware! Thank the Lord i stumbled upon you and now im 70% on the initial try!

Happy Independence Day and FREEDOM DAY Clay. Memories forever, My little cousin Brad McCormick lost his life in Fallujah. He was a leader and a proud Marine.

Great video Clay. As many know Freedom isn't FREE !! Happy 4th to all !

I stayed ‘til the end. I’m thankful that my high school sweetheart husband joined me on my only deployment only a few months after he returned from his first deployment. He is my battle buddy for life and we’re still married, it’ll be 20 years in December, we got married when he was on Christmas leave from AIT. I’m thankful we have so many shared memories & experiences, even the ones we would rather forget. New sub, I’ve been binging! I appreciate you & all you’re doing to help us!

I joined the 1st CivDiv in June 1985. I just reached out to the VA for PTSD therapy and just got my 10% for tinnitus. You've been extremely helpful to me. I wish the VA had more outreach. We had no assistance transitioning in my day, we went to Seps Platoon for a week and were treated like dirt for getting out. Semper Fi, Happy Independence Day.

My favorite memory and the thing I have never found in the civilian world is the comradery and how we looked out for each other.

Clay, thank you for sharing your story! It is sometimes hard for us to tell our story, but you did it well! From a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant (Sergeant Major equivalent)

Clay, great video as usual. I truly appreciate how you shared your story. It also made me reflect on my years of service before I retired. Your story also shows why you are the best at what you do in helping veterans because you are truly passionate about it, as well as patient and diligent in explaining it to us. As many civilians exercise their freedom in celebrating with cookouts and family gatherings, I can only hope they think about these of us who were, or currently are, on the frontlines protecting those freedoms. Semper Fi brother!

Good stuff Clay! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 Happy 4th brother🫡

Thanks for sharing!!!

This is a crazy coincidence. I'm in Fairfax County, was an 0341, and have those same two books on my bookshelf right next to each other. I have the original 1981 With the Old Breed. Also was a federal employee.

happy 4th!

“That’s in 29 Palms, a disgusting place.” Lol so true. This probably doesn’t meet much coming from a stranger on the internet, but I’m proud of you and all of the work you have done. Happy 4th brother semper 🇺🇸

You're a breath of fresh air for your honesty, free content and transparency. Thanks for all you do for us vets.

I can't thank you enough. I'm one of those that limped out with nothing in my service records. I would come home off deployment and go to the chiropractor 2-3 times before I would head back. Long story short I'm filing my first claim ever thanks to you. That chiropractor and the surgeon that fused my back wrote nexus letters for me and I had the boys write some statements. Appreciate what you do.

Happy 4th to everyone and your families! U.S. Army 1984-87, luckily peacetime. 1st Calvary, Field Artillery, our Sgt was a kiss ass and would volunteer us for everything. One time in formation the Top asked for a volunteer to mow lawns, of course, our SGT volunteered us! The TOP turned to our sergeant and said get your nose out of my ass and stop volunteering your group for everything! It was hard not to just bust out laughing!

Clay thank you so much for sharing such personal informational and being vulnerable.

Wow- very moving iv’e got nothing that comes close to that - I will say thank you again for your service, from the heart -

Got out in 2012, VA gave me 20%. Didn't really understand why when I had so much going on with my body. Gave up and felt defeated. Wasn't until 10 years later in 2022, when I crossed paths with another vet who really educated me on what and how I was misled. 2024, 100% P&T. Never quit, it's not too late.

Clay, you are very transparent. Much Respect!

Happy July 4, 2024 . Family and friends are everything!

Happy Independence Day and congrats on your 5 years out.

Retired from the USAF as A MSgt (E-7) Signals Intelligence Analyst. My most memorable experience was leaving Thailand after the Thai government ordered the U.S. military to shut down our bases and all U.S. forces to leave the country in 1976, The entire little village outside our base (Ramasun Station) follow the two bus loads of Army and Air Force personnel from Ramasun Station to Udorn RTAFB where we boarded two C-130 aircraft to go to Clark AB in the Philippines. Very touching. Thailand was also where I was exposed to Agent Orange which has resulted in 100% P&T V.A. rating and 100% Combat Related Special Compensation from the USAF.

Happy Independence Day to you and yours! I have 2 of those shemaghs!

Made it to the end. Spouse of a peacetime vet who served in the USCG 1975-1985, rescue swimmer/hospital corpsman. Had to jump in and learn how the claims process works this past year and appreciate your content immensely, it’s been emotionally overwhelming for him. Currently sitting at 90% (actual 93) waiting for the last two claims to be decided. Thanks again for helping all vets and their families. Happy freedom day!

Proud of you bro for all the life long goals you have done and will continue to do. Its not easy to share this stuff and you did it. Japan 2000-2003 on the Kitty Hawk USN Gunners Mate 2n class petty officer oout. Best thing was my TBI 70%...lol

How many years in the Marine Corp? Nice to know that other service members have felt the Korean cold. I didn't know you'd insides could shake! I'm considered a "peacetime" service member. 8/81-8/85 USA. My best military memory was taking the time to catch a hop from Osan to Yokota. E4 riding in a web seat of a C130. The crew chief came back said the commander of the aircraft asked to see me. I was the only one riding other than crew. Got up to the cockpit and he asked if I wanted to see Mt Fuji. What a site! Then he said let's get a closer look and dove towards it. The snow made it look like a giant bowl of cotton. Very cool moment for a 19 year old. The trip was filled with awesome moments with total strangers. I saved the best memory for last. I went to the American embassy in Tokyo. A kind Japanese man saw I was lost. I told him where I was going. He spoke English. He walked me to the middle of this sidewalk and pointed uphill. GOD as my witness, I saw the largest flag I have ever seen! It still brings up deep significant emotion. After surviving esophageal cancer I had a cathartic moment with this recollection. I'm so glad and proud that I chose to serve. I'm also one of those guys that would enjoy hearing more about SMC. I've learned the hard way, but it's a damn shame how the caregiver program has so many hurdles and guardrails to overcome. I have my issues, but my brain works fine and I know how to fight. My heart breaks for those that can't help themselves when it comes to receiving this benefit. You do great work Clay. Hooah!

great video Clay. for my blind/visually impaired vets out there - the book THE RETURN OF GEORGE WASHINGTON is available in audio in Hoopla (free) and BARD

Yes Clay, watched every second - thank you. I'm that three-branch Marine (2x 22d MEUs 02xx), then Army 35 series then AF 1N series (w/ 2x sons also serving). A recently revived memory was just on 2 July when Army Chaplain LTC Chad David retired from Ft. Belvoir at 39+ years of AD (he'll be 40+ officially). The now Army Chaplain was my S-1 Sgt on the two MEUs in the 90's aboard the USS Nassau and USS Guam and shared the Monrovia Liberia Embassy Evac which was quite the experience. At the 39 min mark he comments about some old MEU memories likewise...fondness of those times, despite the difficulty. The ceremony can be found on the book of faces from ceremony on the Belvoir Chaplain page too. A Retired Army SM Ret. does a powerful recital of "Old Glory" from memory (at 27 min mark). Semper Fi.

Wow! I nearly teared up at the end. My TRS in 1992 consisted of about 4 hours of lectures in a theater, where people from different areas handed out paperwork and told us about stuff that there was no way we would remember after walking out of the door. FYI, Comm Platoon, 1stBn, 11th Marines Regiment, 1st MarDiv, 1st MEU, 1st MEF for Desert Storm/Shield. Canon Cockers! Also FYI, In December 2023, I finally got 100% SC, T&P, SMC-S after all of these years. One of my most memorable combat experiences was using the Oil fires as cover. One of my most memorable non-combat memories was at a staging area in Saudi after the ground war cease fire, just south of the Kuwaiti border, they brought in a roach coach that had burgers! They were probably Camel burgers, but they were real meat, and we stood in that line for more than 8hours to get one! When I was stationed in Okinawa (Camp Kinser, ELMACO, 3FFG), they wouldn't let us go to the Philippines, or Korea (unless you were on a WestPac) because there was a bunch of Political Unrest. They didn't want a bunch of Jarheads causing further unrest. I also got out as a Sgt/E5. I tried to re-enlist, but they were downsizing after the buildup for Desert Storm, so there were no re-enlistments and they were offering some staff and officers money to get out.

From one veteran to another, thank you for what you do. I served with some awesome units, friend/family for life. We trained in peacetime/fought together in wartime. The whole time we looked out for each other and took care of each other. Would do it all again with them in a heart beat. Even today keep in touch even no matter where every one is geographically. So once again thank you for doing what you do.

Hey Clay, I don’t live far from Q-Town…Just changed from American Legion to the Quantico Virginia DVS as my VSO. Will see how it goes as I am a lot more knowledgeable now about the claims process than I was when I got out in 2000. Also, I’m a retired DOD fed employee.

It was my 20th birthday and the Company Commander called a muster. The Brass decided that Trick Chiefs needed to be hard stripes so I had to trade in my Spec 5 for Sergeant stripes. Nice birthday present. That was 50 years ago.

DAC - I’m a senior ctr supporting the army former Navy civilian, retired. SCPO

Semper Fi brother.. US Navy Corpsman 87 to 95

Back in the house I see.

During Desert Storm there were a couple days of completely calm seas. It was like the ships were cruising through a huge mirror! Unbelievable sight. One morning we had 4 aircraft carriers steaming together and it was very humbling. At that time we took on a skid of 6 500 or 1000 pounders every 60 seconds for at least two hours every morning. Every day nearly all ammunition was spent. One thing the US Navy can do it kill and destroy at a level most people cannot comprehend.

Bro , 2nd MAW. VMA-331 (harriers) I have a foot locker that was for 25mm rounds i keep in my garage. I was on Wes-PAC in 89 & went to cobra gold in Thailand 🇹🇭!!!! 😊. Okinawa, Iwakuni, Korea, Australia, 😊😊😊😊😊. Semper Fi brother. Thanks for sharing

Clay, Your point thanking the Corps for the training struck a chord with me. Thanks to the USCG they trained me in electronics which led to a lifelong career in telecommunications which served me very well. Made it as high as Vice President. Now retired and living well. Too many bash the uniformed services, when in fact they teach us humility, leadership, and so many other beneficial life experiences.

Gotta love them ranger panties. Lol. You should join us in Nashville for an Irreverent Warriors hike in October. Silkies are the uniform of choice.

I can’t find your link for the t-shirts. I like the new logo! 😊

One Bullet Away by Nathanial Fick is also a good read. I read that while deployed.

Clay your doing great. Semper Fi India 3/9 3rd plt 0311 way before your time. Brothers from another ERA.

Congratulations !........Under what circumstances do multiple Zero % Service-Connected Conditions add up to 10%?...... or do they?

I stayed until the end, thank you. 2nd Battalion 47th Mechanized Infantry/9th Infantry Division, Bien Phuoc VN/Cambodia/Bear Cat VN. Memories are some of my most Prized Possessions. I was medevaced to Camp Zama Army Hospital Japan , then to Fitzsimmons Army Hospital Denver CO, and none of my possessions from Nam ever caught up to me 06/29/1970.

June 4th,5th Or 6th 1984 my submarine pulled into Portsmouth England. We took a bus to London and I was standing off to the right gate of buckingham palace. When the gate opened up and out came President Reagan with his wife. I was the only person standing by the gate and they waved at me as they exited. I wasn’t 5 feet from them. They had just left after having tea with the Queen. It was during the remembrance of the 40th anniversary of Dday. Some things you never forget.

Air Force Out in 80 - Proudest moments - 1) First time I was assigned to the Alert Pad, 2) When I was assign my own air craft (B-52 Bomber)

I got out in 2000. I knew nothing about Va compensation and I knew I had issues. It wasn’t until 2021 when my brother explained how he went about getting compensation. 2022 I got 10% for tinnitus and now I’m at 90%. Enjoy the channel with all the information.

Stayed on till end, most memorable losing my Motor Pool supervisor from Army Reserve. He lost his life in Iraq. 2005 are reserve unit was involuntarily mobilized to active duty. His loss hit me hard.

Another memory was first time in a Huey helicopter. they put us and closed the doors, then stood outside with a fire extinguisher (found out later they often caught on fire on start-up) then they opened doors and took off! Hard turn to the side I was on I was only hanging in by a harness. Holy Crap that was scary! and Great at the same time! looked around everyone was smiles ear to ear!

Retired 10 years ago from the US Coast Guard-had 15 1/2 years prior service with the Army (as of 1 July with nearly 26 years active federal service); been rated 100% P&T with an effective date of my retirement (took about 5 months for the rating). I worked as a government contractor/consultant for about 5 years at two different 3 / 4 letter agencies. The money was fantastic, but my health was more important so I quit my last job in 2019. Haven’t worked since. Wife has a good paying Fed government job…that with my disability compensation and retirement pay, we are doing well.

Hey Clay, watched your entire video, and what stood out the most for me was the name Mesías. He got promoted to SSGT while training my platoon. Based off that alone ima say you were 2nd B Golf Co.

I never wanted to leave Korea . Small base camp near Pohang . MC-P

Hell yeah. The wet sock trick. 👍🏾

All good Marines has NJP, my first unit was with 9th Marines Regiment in Okinawa. Best unit ever.

Lejeune 78 till 81.US Navy Corpsman. Drank water, showered in it,and ate food prepared with it. I would rather stay home and die, than go back to the VA after 30 years of BS from them 😢😢😢

I got out in 2015 and was homeless with my wife and kid. I took the info given to me in taps about apprenticeships. The Ibew apprenticeship took me from being homeless to owning my own home and driving a wonderful car and finally being happy.. got my 100% finally in January this year. I now have a great job that i will be in for life working for walt disney world.. its a great company to work for and lots of ex military leadership. Use your gi bill and learn a trade if you have no idea what your doing after service.

Semper Fi

Happy Independence Day!!! USN 1987 to 1994.

Left Active Duty Army as a Staff Sergeant in 2021. TAP for me just felt elementary. The only thing that was actually worth it was a resume. It felt way too cookie cutter and just honestly zero help unless you were ok with making 40k a year in a civilian job. Starting in 2021 I did one years with the national guard which proved to be a waste of time. After I left active duty I figured id pick something like being a firefighter. The culture was awful and was nothing like the military. I just recently staryed gling back for my bachelors. If I can give anyone advice leaving active duty, its get your education in something that pays money or stay active and retire. You're going to get out and realize that almost nobody cares what you did if you dont have a degree

I definitely regret getting out after 4 years. I’ve heard from other Marines that things really don’t “click” until your second enlistment.

💯👍🙏

You're lucky to have all this stuff. I was and still am severely depressed with PTSD MST from my Marine Corps career and threw out all my things to the trash including my dress blues. Fuck the Marine Corps.

love the boonie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! best memory....best friend.....we understood each other.

Still have my boot camp year book

I think I’m the first one to see it and comment lol

Were you a sharpshooter? I got expert marksman in the USAF.

3/6 WPNS / 26th MEUSOC 2000/2003

Yea baby...pensions❤🎉

Never seen metal blouse bands.

My favorite memory was leaving Saudi Arabia

Oh my gosh. Your not in the hotel anymore. Thank goodness. I'm so happy for you to be back home

Boot

To damn much red tape.😢

Vso are annoying lol they like don’t want you to have a high percentage than them. It’s annoying

wow never met a smart Maring, jk!

Great post, Clay. I sold everything when I EASed: Uniforms, souvenirs, coins, and even medals and ribbons and shooting badges. Sold K-bar. Sold officer's sword. Don't miss any of that shit.