I read in another section (GD P) that a veteran at a rally for HRC

[Obamanaut]

said that when he retired he became a 3rd class citizen. I don't understand this at all. I retired in 1988, and have been comfortable ever since. I am well received in the community when people discover I am a veteran, even though I am totally healthy and have no disability at all. I've never been to the VA hosp, using instead local medical facilities - non military. My income without working matches or exceeds that of most of the local school teachers as well as several other career fields.

I don't understand what that guy was talking about, or perhaps he was a shill for the campaign and reporters. Am I unique, or are other retirees happy/content?

[Warpy]

1. I think "where" matters

and if that veteran was living in a big city, his retirement is not stretching very far. He's probably also having to negotiate the VA system if he has chronic health problems, which puts him ahead of uninsurable civilians but not by much.

If we get another GOP administration, you might well be joining him in that third class citizen status as your benefits are not raised to compensate for real inflation and your private health care evaporates.

[liberal N proud]

2. Might depend on what skills you have when you retire

Some military skills are not much use in public business. If you don't have the means to get retrained then you have to settle for what ever jobs you can find.

[ccharles000]

3. Many veterans are facing hard times.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0208/p02s01-ussc.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/08/us/08vets.html?_r=1&fta=y&oref=slogin

http://www1.va.gov/homeless/page.cfm?pg=1

[Obamanaut]

4. I cannot speak to the plight of ALL veterans. The guy at the rally

specifically mentioned his condition as retired. Did not say whether it was a medical retirement or a full career retirement.

My specialty was aircraft electrician. I have not been near an aircraft since 1988, the year I retired. I have however, been a prison guard, as well as a special education teacher aide in a prison. Prisons all over the country are hiring new correctional officers regularly because of the high turnover rate.

High schools that have an ROTC program have billets (jobs) for retirees, usually two per school. As a general rule there is one billet that does not require a bachelor's degree.

So, I still don't understand how a retiree can feel like a third class citizen. Medical care is available either via a military facility or Tricare insurance - and that insurance is quite good, plus the list of participating providers is enormous. Jobs for us are available, and because we are retired we can make do with a lower salary than a young person just starting out. Whilst I was a prison guard I knew many young coworkers who were raising a family on that salary.