For the most part I write this blog to educate Veterans, spouses and the public about the VA disability process. I’m approaching five years in this career and I’ve been writing this blog for nearly four
of those five years. It’s by far one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. I’m aware that my blog is quite successful and a lot of people read it every month. With that in mind, I like to open up from time to time and tell you a little about myself. After all, if you trust me to get facts about the VA, you should likely know a little about me. Today I want to spend a little time talking about my favorite branch of the military, the United States Coast Guard.
Before I get too deep into this blog, I want to say that all the branches of the military have some pretty cool aspects. Any person willing to put on any military uniform deserves our respect and admiration. I actually have friends who have served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Marines. However, I don’t know anyone personally who served in the Coast Guard. As today is the 225th birthday of the Coast Guard, I’d like to explain why I am so fascinated by what some call “The Coasties.”
First of all, Coast Guardsmen are like unicorns for me in that I so rarely get to interact with them. Over the past four and a half years I’ve talked to thousands of Veterans. Most of these Veterans served in the Air Force, Army, Marines, and Navy. I’ve talked to fewer than ten Coast Guard Veterans during my time with the firm. However, that number has increased in recent months. Some might say I have engineered our SEO to appeal to Coast Guard Vets, but that can’t be proven. Honestly, a lot of Coat Guard Veterans are aware of their eligibility for VA Disability Compensation, and that needs to be addressed. Also, many civilians forget that the Coast Guard is a military branch. That is really unfortunate. Granted, the Coast Guard is not a part of the Depart of Defense like the other branches, but instead it’s a part of the Department of Homeland Security.
Many people also don’t realize that the Coast Guard participates in foreign wars and conflicts too. While their numbers are much smaller than the other branches, the Coast Guard has participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Dessert Storm/Shield, Vietnam, Korea, and both World Wars.
I actually learned a lot recently while talking to a Coast Guard Veteran about the role of the Coast Guard. I had no idea that in addition to patrolling our oceans, they also patrol our rivers and ports. I live along the Ohio River, and they patrol this river on a regular basis. We have a lot of industry along the river so they do their part to keep it safe.
In a superficial way, I even like the way their aircraft, boats, and cutters look. Most of them are white with a large orange stipe and a smaller blue stripe. They really stand out and look amazing.
So I am nearly at the end of my blog, and I haven’t actually told you what it is about the Coast Guard that I find fascinating. Really it isn’t one thing in particular. It’s the fact that they are often forgotten as a military branch, the fact that they are doing more than we know to protect our coastline, ports and rivers, and even that they deserve better than to have Ashton Kutcher represent them in the cinema. (Will anyone get that reference?) Honestly the interactions I have has with Coast Guard Veterans has been great. I always talk their ear off, and they are happy to answer all of my questions regarding their time in service. I hope to learn a lot more about the Coast Guard in my remaining time with the firm. And, if any Coast Guard Veterans want to learn more about VA Disability, give me a call today for a free consultation. 1-877-526-3457. Or, fill out this form and we’ll call you at a more convenient time.
