Discrimination of injured military vets?
Discussion
Thought I would discuss this with PH as I know many here were in the military and many work in recruiting and management roles.
I was medically discharged from the Army in 2011 due to spinal injuries. My injuries still affect me but are managed now through medication. I have applied for over 100 jobs now and out of that only got 3 replies. Fair enough, that happens to many people. I went to a CV "expert" who advised not to list medical discharge on the CV and only mention it if it is directly asked why I left the Army. Last CV maker told me to put the medical grounds on the CV as it was relevant to my career gap. I was out of work for a few years due to my injuries but did start studying for my degree at the time. His reasoning for not listing medical was that an employer might think that maybe I have missing legs or limbs or even PTSD. He said it is bloody well illegal but he does see it happen often.
On Monday I sent away my new CV to 17 job applications and I have now had 3 replies within 48 hours. Even have an interview next week, which I am really happy about. So the summary is next to no replies/interest with medical listed and with medical not listed I am now getting interviews.
I know we could never prove this is why an employer won't shortlist my application but it does seem a bit suspect.
Has anybody here encountered or experienced any form of potential discrimination towards disabled people?
I was medically discharged from the Army in 2011 due to spinal injuries. My injuries still affect me but are managed now through medication. I have applied for over 100 jobs now and out of that only got 3 replies. Fair enough, that happens to many people. I went to a CV "expert" who advised not to list medical discharge on the CV and only mention it if it is directly asked why I left the Army. Last CV maker told me to put the medical grounds on the CV as it was relevant to my career gap. I was out of work for a few years due to my injuries but did start studying for my degree at the time. His reasoning for not listing medical was that an employer might think that maybe I have missing legs or limbs or even PTSD. He said it is bloody well illegal but he does see it happen often.
On Monday I sent away my new CV to 17 job applications and I have now had 3 replies within 48 hours. Even have an interview next week, which I am really happy about. So the summary is next to no replies/interest with medical listed and with medical not listed I am now getting interviews.
I know we could never prove this is why an employer won't shortlist my application but it does seem a bit suspect.
Has anybody here encountered or experienced any form of potential discrimination towards disabled people?
Just got another reply and offer to interview. So removing my medical discharge really has helped. Shame that.
In the US, military vets usually get put ahead of those who never served. Not saying that is right (I believe in who is best for the role), but the US is very patriotic and less than 1% of the nation even bothers to serve. I have been taking from regualr class to first class whilst traveling just for having been wearing my uniform. Made me feel very uncomfortable. Known a good few who served in the British Army (plenty of my family) and never had any trouble getting a job but they were not injured. Who knows, maybe it was poor wording, maybe there is stigma? My Wife swears blind it is discrimination. Either way, I am just glad that I am now getting a chance.
In the US, military vets usually get put ahead of those who never served. Not saying that is right (I believe in who is best for the role), but the US is very patriotic and less than 1% of the nation even bothers to serve. I have been taking from regualr class to first class whilst traveling just for having been wearing my uniform. Made me feel very uncomfortable. Known a good few who served in the British Army (plenty of my family) and never had any trouble getting a job but they were not injured. Who knows, maybe it was poor wording, maybe there is stigma? My Wife swears blind it is discrimination. Either way, I am just glad that I am now getting a chance.
Charlie1986 said:
I never had any problems. Was fully up front about it all. And my work is supporting me with appointments and giving me time off when needed. But i can remotely log on from home if needed.
The UK does have the armed forces convention which does mean littlest does mean something for UK vets
Thank you for your service. The UK does have the armed forces convention which does mean littlest does mean something for UK vets
I had a good interview yesterday for an ideal IT position. They did say that I would hear back either yesterday afternoon or this morning. Now 2.30pm so I will assume I won't be hearing from the recruiter. I connected with the interviewers and felt it went well, but they did not seem very prepared. I was sat waiting for 40 minutes. Interview went on for near 40 minutes. Either way, I continue to apply.
5ohmustang said:
I spoke to my friend who was at the acap job fair last week. He said 60-70 soldiers/officers were hired on the spot and had jobs waiting for them at the end of terminal leave.
It does not matter in your case if you have already ets'd as in your case, the soldier for life centers will assist you whether or not you used the g.i. bill. Find a post that has one and bring your DD214. You know if you get a federal job you can continue with your federal pension where you left off, so you will have 17 years left.
I live in the UK so none of the benefits are of any use at all to me here. I went through MEP's in South Dakota and enjoyed the wonderful joy of FT Leonard Wood and Ft Knox. What was your MOS? I was 88M.It does not matter in your case if you have already ets'd as in your case, the soldier for life centers will assist you whether or not you used the g.i. bill. Find a post that has one and bring your DD214. You know if you get a federal job you can continue with your federal pension where you left off, so you will have 17 years left.
Countdown said:
Something made me wonder.... Does the U.S. Military carry out psychological evaluations of recruits or is it just physical tests?
Just physical. At your main medical you get to do a duck walk and then have your bum inspected. Me and my battle buddy had to baby sit those on suicide watch during reception and then sometimes in BCT. They get their belts, shoe laces, pens and all sorts that they could use to harm themselves or others with taken off them. They are sometimes sent to the mental ward in the main base hospital. They mostly get an entry level separation discharge for failure to adapt. There is a unit in BCT for total screw ups who are getting chaptered out. They get treated like dirt. My battle and I got pulled out of our bay at about midnight to go to the ER with this crazy guy from Texas who was claiming he was going to kill himself. The ER doctor who was a former Marine went mad at him for wasting everybodies time enlisting. It costs a lot of money to send a recruit. There might be evaluations now but when I was in, there was none.
On first day in BCT we go through "shark attack". It is full on physical and mental. The drill SGT's gather around one soldier for example, screaming and shouting at them, pick up your gear, drop your gear, drop and give 30 so forth. It is intense and you do see some fall out just from that and end up on suicide watch.
I'm most certainly not a "fake" and bloody well don't need to prove poop to anyone. I have my framed Army photos on the living room wall. People who know me in real life all know and I find it really strange that becuase I'm married to an American, that I could not have possibly been in the US Military? Go to any BCT place and you will see people from all over the world. We had Asians with a green card, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans. In fact, one of my DS's was a Puerto Rican. There are British citizens in the US military and omg shock horror, some are even high speed mofos in Rangers and other more elite groups. But anyway, I still have my CAC card and my DD214. Recently watched on CH4 A documentary about training for the Royal Marines and omg there was a foreigner. An egyptian.
5ohmustang said:
Countdown is a piss taker, this is one of many times.
I'll take the time and liberty to explain this for others who are genuinely interested and not piss takers.
Docjock, I know you can go on google, research mos's, base locations etc but there's a whole culture to the U.S. Army like I am sure there is with the British Army. Our Army is so big there are subcultures within subcultures. Phrases, traditions, exercises, cadences etc.
Knowledge of meps, bct, ait.
Terms like my battle, battle buddy, soldiers creed and all the other creeds, the administration side like chaptering, articles of ucmj, shark attack etc. Trust me, there is only so much you can read up on and fake it.
I bet if I was face to face with the op I could sing a line of cadence " Hi ho, lock and load, The engines are running we're ready to go, To kill the enemy, take control, So early in the morning"
He would reply "M-1s on the hill
The tank commander is ready to kill
He gives the order "fire at will"
So early in the morning"
Obviously, this is the internet and anyone can google cadences and find the response. In person, if someone is bulls
tting it's really easy to spot a fake. It is quite comical people on here have accused me of making this up.
There is no psychological assessment when joining as such. The recruiter will speak to the potiential recruit to get a basic understanding of him or her, that's all.
Meps is more involving, they will review your historical medical records and decide whether the potiential recruit is fit to join. If you have evidence of psychological issues or have taken certain medication you're barred for enlistment. Certain things you can get a waiver for.
At bct which is basic training, it's the Drill Sgt's job to break the civillian. To weed out those who are psychologically/physically not tough enough and cannot adapt. I was much older than the rest of those in my platoon and tried to be the gray man, keep my head down. However as soon as they heard my accent, the whole company knew me.
I remember reception well, not a nice experience. The first morning, waking up at dead o'clock thinking wtf did I sign up for. Standing in formation for hours, being shouted at for no reason. There is a method behind the madness, the Army does this very, very well.
Yes the shark attack, hahaha. I wish someone had recorded it and I could watch it now. I remember guys pissing themselves because they were too scared to ask to go to the latrine. It sucked, but we all embraced the suck together. Which is why soldiers get along best with other soldiers. Veterans like to be around veterans. We can relate to each others experiences.
We decorate our vehicles with unit emblems, veteran of .... war license plates not because we are showing off, but because we have a common bond.
When I see a Vietnam vet who served 45 years ago, I thank him for his service and I can relate to him, the traditions, procedures, duties etc. Traditions runs deep.
I also had to watch soliders on suicide watch. One very recently. Whatever there reason is, you don't take the piss out of them. They need help. Everyone hurts and everyone is different.
Without getting too detailed, there are things in place that measures the psychological and physical performance over set time periods that are monitored regularly.
There are assets in place to help soldiers. Having said all of that it is the nco's responsibility to know their soldiers, know the family, concerns, fears, aspirations and always place the soldiers needs above their own.
Should the soldier not come forward on their issues, it is their nco who needs to take initiative in the absense of orders.
All in all, there are good days and there are bad days. It is what you make of it.
One team, one fight.
Bct pics:
BRM
Love it.I'll take the time and liberty to explain this for others who are genuinely interested and not piss takers.
Docjock, I know you can go on google, research mos's, base locations etc but there's a whole culture to the U.S. Army like I am sure there is with the British Army. Our Army is so big there are subcultures within subcultures. Phrases, traditions, exercises, cadences etc.
Knowledge of meps, bct, ait.
Terms like my battle, battle buddy, soldiers creed and all the other creeds, the administration side like chaptering, articles of ucmj, shark attack etc. Trust me, there is only so much you can read up on and fake it.
I bet if I was face to face with the op I could sing a line of cadence " Hi ho, lock and load, The engines are running we're ready to go, To kill the enemy, take control, So early in the morning"
He would reply "M-1s on the hill
The tank commander is ready to kill
He gives the order "fire at will"
So early in the morning"
Obviously, this is the internet and anyone can google cadences and find the response. In person, if someone is bulls
tting it's really easy to spot a fake. It is quite comical people on here have accused me of making this up.There is no psychological assessment when joining as such. The recruiter will speak to the potiential recruit to get a basic understanding of him or her, that's all.
Meps is more involving, they will review your historical medical records and decide whether the potiential recruit is fit to join. If you have evidence of psychological issues or have taken certain medication you're barred for enlistment. Certain things you can get a waiver for.
At bct which is basic training, it's the Drill Sgt's job to break the civillian. To weed out those who are psychologically/physically not tough enough and cannot adapt. I was much older than the rest of those in my platoon and tried to be the gray man, keep my head down. However as soon as they heard my accent, the whole company knew me.
I remember reception well, not a nice experience. The first morning, waking up at dead o'clock thinking wtf did I sign up for. Standing in formation for hours, being shouted at for no reason. There is a method behind the madness, the Army does this very, very well.
Yes the shark attack, hahaha. I wish someone had recorded it and I could watch it now. I remember guys pissing themselves because they were too scared to ask to go to the latrine. It sucked, but we all embraced the suck together. Which is why soldiers get along best with other soldiers. Veterans like to be around veterans. We can relate to each others experiences.
We decorate our vehicles with unit emblems, veteran of .... war license plates not because we are showing off, but because we have a common bond.
When I see a Vietnam vet who served 45 years ago, I thank him for his service and I can relate to him, the traditions, procedures, duties etc. Traditions runs deep.
I also had to watch soliders on suicide watch. One very recently. Whatever there reason is, you don't take the piss out of them. They need help. Everyone hurts and everyone is different.
Without getting too detailed, there are things in place that measures the psychological and physical performance over set time periods that are monitored regularly.
There are assets in place to help soldiers. Having said all of that it is the nco's responsibility to know their soldiers, know the family, concerns, fears, aspirations and always place the soldiers needs above their own.
Should the soldier not come forward on their issues, it is their nco who needs to take initiative in the absense of orders.
All in all, there are good days and there are bad days. It is what you make of it.
One team, one fight.
Bct pics:
BRM
You never forget your day traveling to BCT. Our plane was delayed to Chicago and from there we flew to St Louis, MO. Sat in the USO, who despite having free internet have the slowest PC's in the world. Nobody was allowed to go into the back area to sleep in the beds. On to the bus and arrived at FLW at near midnight. DS was straight on and shouting at us. This is the US Army, your mommy is not here to help you etc etc. Took into reception and I always remember everybody fumbling about trying to use their phonecall to say htey were safe. Like yourself we had next to no sleep at all before lights on. We were stood out in formation freezing in our trendy PT's. Walked down to the chow hall and we were all starving, sat down and about 60 seconds later "OK Bravo, you're done". That was probably the worse part of reception, learning how to hoover food. Keep your toes to the line when getting food. "Yes Sir, Yes Maam".
When we got issued our rifles from store I was standing in line to get chow and DS went mad at me saying I had killed the battle next to me. I had to write a letter to his Mother and later that night in our bay when we toed the line, I had to read it out loud lol. Happened to a view people. I also once when we were going to our medical training had forgot the magazine. I nearly got an A15 for that.
Love your photo of the gas chamber. Did you have to flap your arms like a bird after it? It was horrible. We had to lift ours up and off and try to say the creed. I got about 20 seconds in. Anyway, going to work in 20 minutes but look forward to reading more.
Dear god I've not seen those high-viz jackets in a long time. I use to hate being picked to wear it and having to run ahead of the unit all the time to stop traffic. Safety first and all that. Your AIT photo, were you in engineers? I was in BCT with a lot of 21B's. About 3 guys were going on to EOD. I know 88M was a dangerous MOS but I would rather that over EOD.
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