Govt. departments...

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Originally Posted by BradC

To this day my Grandfather feels extreme guilt for being medically unfit to serve in WW2. He was at the time however the only guy in Western Australia who could oxy weld aluminium fuel tanks to the standard required for aviation, so he spent a lot of time at the air base helping repair aircraft. He probably did more good in that role as a civilian, but laments not being able to stand next to his mates and get shot at. He turned 102 last month. Life's a funny thing. I still have the oxy torch they gave him in a box, and mum has the certificate of appreciation from the RAAF.

I've never served but I accompany a mate who has to the RSL on the odd Thursday arvo. Last time we were there one of the Vietnam vets unloaded on the way they were treated when they returned. Before my time, but it didn't sound good.

Frankly anyone who writes a blank cheque for their country deserves respect regardless of whether they got called to active duty in their time. You don't get to pick and choose which battles to fight.

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It doesn’t really bother me weather I’m viewed as a veteran or not…….o feel for your grandfather, sounds like a really good bloke.

I had to deal with all the cranky senior NCO’s that joined just after Vietnam and we’re coming up to there 20yo and hadn’t deployed…….

Anyways I was a square peg trying to fit into a round hole…..the system and I never got along. While I did my best for the time I was in I always made it clear that I didn’t join to participate in a 2 way range. Happy to play the support role as your grandfather by no fault of his own seemed more than happy to do. Oh, when Gulf War 1 broke out I got the biggest dressing down as like usual the CSM only over heard part of my conversation or only heard what he wanted to here……my unit was put on standby for pre-deployment training (which never happened), he happened to hear that I wasn’t keen to be on the list.

What amazes me is I know off an RSL, a few years ago that rejected application for a position advertised if the applicant didn’t actually deploy and have a medal to match……..doesn’t matter that the applicant spent 20 years serving [emoji2369]

Anyways the was I was treated at an RSL many years ago was the last day I wore my medals.

I still acknowledge those that have served…

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Originally Posted by Tins

These days though, everyone gets a prize I guess. Might as well line up for mine.

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I got my red ribbon prize for good service too (even though I was discharged for a minor misdemeanor!), another square peg trying to fit in a round hole, I did enjoy my service just not the politics and crap from way up top (hurry up and wait anyone?), and kept telling them so while performing my job satisfactorily.

Don't forget Mr Tins, there are plenty of 'vets' who have been deployed but never have had to fire the odd angry shot, but still were serving admirably supporting those on the front lines, we all sign up to do or die, that's what serving your country is, you and everyone else who has signed and will sign on the dotted line are just as worthy as any deployed serviceperson mate, because you committed your life as others do today and in future.

I tend to think of 'vets' as been there done that types too, but DVA is for all of us serviceman/women.

Think I will apply for my white card too now!

Service is not just the pointy end! Wifes, family and so many more are impacted! Got a really cool hat from a Capt who joined with me. "Shore Support" with gold trim is not publicly available as it as one of his real ones[thumbsupbig]

Support takes a LOT of forms!

On the RSL issues. Some are great and some are [bigwhistle] That applies to every aspect of everything. I am a RSL member not a mouth bit [thumbsupbig] Happy to mention only way to change some things is to be a part of them. I do not like pokies in RSLs. I can now vote that way[bigwhistle][bigwhistle][bigwhistle] ( I do not like pokies at all [biggrin])

Back to the Mental Health bit- Some are great and some are [bigwhistle] Ditto for Doctors, Driving instructors and Diving Officers. Like my D.O. from a very cold dip in a wet suite when every other Navy had Dry suites on for very very good reasons.

All my Diving crew got hypothermia- The water was 10 to 6 ish degrees at the surface. An inversion layer which may have been fresh water from a Ice glazier a 100km North or so might have been 4 degrees being the issue? The D.O. had never dived there and no hard feelings to him honestly. Like many of us, he might have been out of his depth at times. We did our job and happily lived! The DO was in all other ways one of the better Officers I served with.

Gives me a good yarn to spin with my mates. (Canada)

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Originally Posted by Tins

Oh, the PoS from DoD will be mailed, apparently, so I will then need to scan it so I can upload digital copies to DVA. Now I know why Canberra exists.

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Got a response from Defence. Seems the docs will be delivered in USB form. so a thumb drive I guess. Usually takes 30 days,but in these "difficult times" add 15.

Oh, and I was unfairly maligning Canberra.... This mob is in Queenbeyan[bigwhistle]

So, on Thursday my service record arrived, via email. Silly me has been checking the PO box for it... Ok, log into MyGov, port over to DVA and fill in the application and upload the docs, thinking here we go, more waiting.... I would say that within 10 seconds a big green tick appeared on my screen and a missive stating I had been approved. Quick readers, those DVA people.

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Originally Posted by johnp38

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Think I will apply for my white card too now!

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I would. Remarkably painless, and I can now get mental health help with no further approval necessary. I never thought I would need such a thing, but I can truthfully state that I may not be alive today without it. Circumstances have consequences.

Tins you served and for all who have there are all the rest who are grateful. Many in my family served, including my father, cousins, etc. My grandfathers were in manufacturing on the shop floors and did not, so I grew up through Vietnam hearing others share tales of their grands service, not understanding supporting, essential service is critically important as well at such a young age. Wish I would have spoken more with my grands about it, but hadn't the presence of mind at the time. So many friends didn't have both their grandfathers, so in that way I was fortunate. I also supported operations for those in Iraq and Central Asia as a contractor, and I have to say you sir have earned your medals, have my full support and should do with them whatever you please, but I'd hope you'd wear them when it comes time to do so. One doesn't need to have a mortar land 25 meters away to be a hero, and certainly the scars of battle are not always gained on the front lines. Running towards a fight is often more impulsive and can be easier than the long walk back, without all the same mates one went with. Grateful for your service and everyone else's.

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Originally Posted by Tins

My dad was also medically unfit. Bloke was so skinny you wouldn't need an x-ray to diagnose fractures.... but he worked his normal day and then went and did 12 hours in a munitions factory. Still, he would be 120 next year, too young for the first one and too old for the second. My uncles, mum's side, both served, one in the Middle East and one on merchant ships on those bloody convoys. My nephew served in the first Timor thing, and then twice in Bagdad, my son served in the second Timor thing and then in Iraq. I feel a bit of a fraud putting on my Australian Defence Medal alongside that lot. My son gets angry about that, he says that I should respect it, no matter where the Service took me. But I met a lot of Vietnam blokes, and I was just a boy alongside them. Not to mention my FIL, who I have mentioned before.
These days though, everyone gets a prize I guess. Might as well line up for mine.

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Originally Posted by Tins

I would. Remarkably painless, and I can now get mental health help with no further approval necessary. I never thought I would need such a thing, but I can truthfully state that I may not be alive today without it. Circumstances have consequences.

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I actually did that night when I wrote that comment, I still carry my service record and trade book/certificates so easy peasy instant approval and card received couple weeks later.

They actually sent me to a shrink for a year to find out why I had an 'attitude' (I did my trade well but spoke my mind), his report basically said I wasn't the problem ! I **** you guys not !

Perhaps it depends with whom you are lucky, or unlucky enough to get in contact with.
During my father's last ten, earthly years, I had a fair few dealings with DVA, on my father's behalf (Dad was 'Gold Card') and each time they were nothing but helpful and simple to deal with.

My father did have a very good Advocate too, Unfortunately, she has since retired.

My FIL did 2 1/2 years on the infamous "Death Railway". I guess his Gold Card had an Elephant Stamp. I guess my son has a Gold, I've never asked.

Apart from one pointless phone call I have had zero personal contact with DVA, so I guess things have changed. The process seems to automated. Here's a hoop, jump through it. Hoops jumped, here's a White Card.

However, I am 70 years old and I didn't know this existed, so I guess they don't advertise. One of the reasons I started this thread.