Pardon me for tailgating, but I’m quite sure some might see this as an attack on Veterans. As a vet myself, I don’t. I retired, yes, and as a result I get some pretty lucrative benefits and have been since 2004.
I know others who did the same, but took it even further. Seemingly healthy, they found ways to claim anywhere from 10% disability for virtually nothing, to much higher percentages. These grabs were blessed by the military with a wink and a nod, and were quite often the result of nothing more than lack of exercise, bad diet, genetics, etc. Not battle.
Also frustrating, to me, is the concept that a guy who does 4yrs, mostly forward deployed in hot zones, gets virtually nothing when they leave at the end of their service, but a 20yr desk jockey gets the same benefits I do. Not their fault, just the system.
And don’t get me started on the politics of it all. When I left in 04, the victim mentality of some of our troops was infuriating. Though, I will say, the quality of our troops was getting better on average.
Back to the story - This boot camp escapee will get no accolades. When he’s done with his sentence though, expect to see him on a street corner with a cardboard sign that says “Homeless Vet, Please Help” where he will be quick with a war story, for a buck.
Sounds like you are the kind of veteran that I could admire.