The Veteran Thread

[Tommi]

We can all come together and be part of this great country today.
That flag of Freedom lived and died for flies proudly for all.

[Tommi]

[Wolfsong]

A few things of note.....


Film Explores Life After Military for Female Vets





For those that didn't know about the memorial linked below, I strongly urge you to add your dog tags to the tree. People need to know what we did, what we stand for. It can never be complete without you.

Women in the Military Service for America Memorial

Hey........anyone want to trade MRE's? I got Sloppy Joe's again.

[Little Fish]

Hey Vets--

Has anyone here used the VA Home Loan program?

I'm wanting to buy a house but this program doesn't seem to be used widely in my area...or so I've been told. (and I'm suspect of this agent so...)

Did it work for you?
Which Lender did you use?
Which lender would you stay away from?
Lessons learned?

Also, do you use USAA insurance for anything?

All comments welcome, thanks!

(I still have a case of MREs--the shelf life is scary.)

[Parker]

Hey Little Fish - I plan on using my VA Home Loan when I move to IL and my bank (Navy Federal CU) is who I will try to secure my loan from. I can come back and post about the process ... I honestly wouldnt trust an agent who tries to steer you away from using yours. My landlady is a Realtor and when I started talking about everything that entails using the VA Home Loan, she wondered why I havent used mine yet. lol

Also, while I dont use USAA, I have heard nothing but good things about them for insurance and as a banking institution. I already have good insurance and use NFCU though, so I dont need USAA right now.

-----

I have some MREs, but not from my time in the Navy - these are ones I bought in like 2009 or 2010 for emergencies. I have beef stew, spaghetti, and chicken alfredo. I love the stew

[BoDy*ShOt]

hey theoddz - is there a statute of limitations for filing a VA disability claim? I've just recently come to learn that a procedure I had done in 1999, whilst active duty (USN), qualifies me in a disability rating. However, I've been HD'd since 2001.

Thanks!

[Parker]

Originally Posted by BoDy*ShOt

hey theoddz - is there a statute of limitations for filing a VA disability claim? I've just recently come to learn that a procedure I had done in 1999, whilst active duty (USN), qualifies me in a disability rating. However, I've been HD'd since 2001.

Thanks!

I know this question wasnt for me, but it cant hurt to apply.

When I got out in 1996, they told me to apply immediately or I would lose out on anything that happened later with any service connected disabilities; but from what I am seeing on-line, any veteran can apply at any time for anything they think is service connected.

If you already applied when you first got out like I did and had some things deemed service connected but 0% compensation, you can apply for a re-evaluation and they will look in to how your service connected disabilities are affecting you now and rate you accordingly. I did this twice - once after a surgery for something service connected and then a couple of years later, I applied for another re-eval because things got progressively worse after the surgery.

Bottom line, I say go to the website and get the ball rolling on applying - the worst they can do is deny.

[Toughy]

Originally Posted by BoDy*ShOt

hey theoddz - is there a statute of limitations for filing a VA disability claim? I've just recently come to learn that a procedure I had done in 1999, whilst active duty (USN), qualifies me in a disability rating. However, I've been HD'd since 2001.

Thanks!

Apply whenever you want. I was in during the 70's and did not start my service connection stuff until about 2 years ago. I got caught in the backlog, however....they all the sudden are scheduling appointments and sending papers. It seems my case was transferred to another Regional Office...Lincoln NE for me....other folks I know have had their case sent to Oklahoma City. Things are looking up!

(The Oakland VA Regional Office (the worst backlog in the country) farmed out hundreds in not thousands of their backlog claims to other VA Regional Offices.)

Go to your local Vet Center Office and they can help you out. Some states also have advocates to help you file the claim.

[Wolfsong]

Originally Posted by Parker

Hey Little Fish - I plan on using my VA Home Loan when I move to IL and my bank (Navy Federal CU) is who I will try to secure my loan from. I can come back and post about the process ... I honestly wouldnt trust an agent who tries to steer you away from using yours. My landlady is a Realtor and when I started talking about everything that entails using the VA Home Loan, she wondered why I havent used mine yet. lol

Also, while I dont use USAA, I have heard nothing but good things about them for insurance and as a banking institution. I already have good insurance and use NFCU though, so I dont need USAA right now.

-----

I have some MREs, but not from my time in the Navy - these are ones I bought in like 2009 or 2010 for emergencies. I have beef stew, spaghetti, and chicken alfredo. I love the stew

I didn't use mine when I bought my house. The mortgage guy said at the time Fannie Mae was a better deal (or something like that). Maybe I shouldn't have listened to him. At least I've got it for future use.

Alfredo huh? Swap for sloppy joes?

[Parker]

Originally Posted by Wolfsong

Alfredo huh? Swap for sloppy joes?

Sloppy Joes sound good

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Little Fish

Hey Vets--

Has anyone here used the VA Home Loan program?

I'm wanting to buy a house but this program doesn't seem to be used widely in my area...or so I've been told. (and I'm suspect of this agent so...)

Did it work for you?
Which Lender did you use?
Which lender would you stay away from?
Lessons learned?

Also, do you use USAA insurance for anything?

All comments welcome, thanks!

(I still have a case of MREs--the shelf life is scary.)

Hey there LF, yes I have used my VA home loan benefit. It's pretty simple, but let me clear up some misconceptions about what it is.

Any lender or builder should be able to work a VA home loan for you, though some realtors might not want to, because the VA home loan program doesn't allow lenders to tack on a lot of "junk" fees. They are heavily regulated and the loans require that the potential property be inspected and appraised by VA appraiser. It has to meet VA standards, and let me tell you.....those protect you, the Veteran!! That, sometimes, can take a bit of time, depending on the market and how busy the appraisers are. If you are a service-connected Disabled Veteran (at least 10% compensable), you cannot be charged a "funding fee" on your loan, either. Also, with a VA loan, you don't have to have a down payment. Of course, any money you might have to put down will be figured in your financing and will result in a lower monthly mortgage payment. That's with any loan, of course, and is always a good thing, if you can do it.

Okay, now....about the VA loan. A VA loan is a loan that is simply backed by the VA. The VA is the guarantor. This means that the VA acts similar to how a co-signer acts for a loan. They simply stand behind it, in case you default. It's a great program and there's lots of great information on the web about it, if you just google it. Here's a few links for you.

http://www.military.com/money/va-loa...ome-loans.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VA_loan

http://benefits.va.gov/homeloans/

Hope that's enough to get you started.

I would strongly encourage you to not opt for any other type of loan than the fixed rate loan. Don't go for that adjustable rate bullshit. That's gotten a lot of folks into big trouble.

Oh, and I have never used USAA. I have Navy Federal Credit Union and have had it for many years. I absolutely adore them!!!

Good luck!!!

Semper Fi,
~Theo~

[Goofy]

Originally Posted by Little Fish

Hey Vets--

Has anyone here used the VA Home Loan program?

I'm wanting to buy a house but this program doesn't seem to be used widely in my area...or so I've been told. (and I'm suspect of this agent so...)

Did it work for you?
Which Lender did you use?
Which lender would you stay away from?
Lessons learned?

Also, do you use USAA insurance for anything?

All comments welcome, thanks!

(I still have a case of MREs--the shelf life is scary.)

Hey Little Fish, I got my current mortgage with the VA home loan, and I did it through USAA.

I've had USAA insurance on my car for about 10-12 years now. I've haven't had an accident or other reason to use it, but setting it up was an easy process. The folks there have always been nice and very helpful whenever I call. Their website is easy to use and you can make changes or updates on just about everything.

I love USAA, so it just seemed natural to go with them when I decided to buy my house. I called them and asked a TON of questions and they walked me through the entire process. They have a program called MoversAdvantage that hooked me up with a realtor in the area. She was super nice and extremely helpful throughout the process. She still sends me "happy move-in day" cards lol. I got pre-approved through USAA and, once the offer on my house was accepted, was able to view the status online. It was a nerve-wracking experience (it was my first house, which scared the hell out of me), but my agent and the folks at USAA were fantastic. I also have my homeowners insurance through them and they walked me through that process as well.

I don't know if my experience was easier using USAA because it does cater to military folks, but I'm assuming it was. I'm sure the process would be similar with other military affiliated banks/credit unions.

If your agent is telling you that the VA program isn't used in that area...I call bullshit! It shouldn't matter where the house is, as long as it can pass the inspection. Like Theo said, the inspectors are notoriously fickle, but I'd rather have a thorough inspection on an investment of that magnitude than a crappy one.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

[Wolfsong]

Originally Posted by theoddz

The Commissary at Nellis AFB sells a case of 24 MRE meals for about $85. I think they are assorted varieties, but I can tell you this......they're 150% better than those canned C-rats (leftovers from Vietnam) that we got. Even my poor ol' dog wouldn't eat those.

~Theo~

Ok I went through basic at Ft Jackson, SC in the spring of '82 and they were still handing out C's at the time. I still have my P38 along with a dog tag hanging on my key chain. It's amazing how many things I've used that P38 for over the years!! Yeah.....C-rats were......well let's just say it's a good thing the military was not counting on them as a re-enlistment lure.

Originally Posted by Parker

I buy mine on-line from a site called TheEpicenter and I like to skip the full packages and just get the entrees. They end up costing me about $2.50 each after shipping.

You buy yours? You mean you are still eating them? Dude.......talk about high-speed low-drag. You rock. A guy at work that's a medic in the reserves brought me BBQ ribs are few months ago. MRE's have defiantly improved since I got out.

Originally Posted by Goofy

Hey Little Fish, I got my current mortgage with the VA home loan, and I did it through USAA.

I've had USAA insurance on my car for about 10-12 years now. I've haven't had an accident or other reason to use it, but setting it up was an easy process. The folks there have always been nice and very helpful whenever I call. Their website is easy to use and you can make changes or updates on just about everything.

I love USAA, so it just seemed natural to go with them when I decided to buy my house. I called them and asked a TON of questions and they walked me through the entire process. They have a program called MoversAdvantage that hooked me up with a realtor in the area. She was super nice and extremely helpful throughout the process. She still sends me "happy move-in day" cards lol. I got pre-approved through USAA and, once the offer on my house was accepted, was able to view the status online. It was a nerve-wracking experience (it was my first house, which scared the hell out of me), but my agent and the folks at USAA were fantastic. I also have my homeowners insurance through them and they walked me through that process as well.

I don't know if my experience was easier using USAA because it does cater to military folks, but I'm assuming it was. I'm sure the process would be similar with other military affiliated banks/credit unions.

If your agent is telling you that the VA program isn't used in that area...I call bullshit! It shouldn't matter where the house is, as long as it can pass the inspection. Like Theo said, the inspectors are notoriously fickle, but I'd rather have a thorough inspection on an investment of that magnitude than a crappy one.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

So you like USAA pretty well? I've received info from them but have been happy with who I have currently so didn't really look at it too hard. Maybe I will now. I've got a clean driving record so the rates should be good wherever I go. What did interest me about them more than that is their banking and investing options. Are you using them for that too?

[Parker]

Originally Posted by Wolfsong

You buy yours? You mean you are still eating them? Dude.......talk about high-speed low-drag. You rock. A guy at work that's a medic in the reserves brought me BBQ ribs are few months ago. MRE's have defiantly improved since I got out.

If I knew of a place to get them for free, I would do that - but since I havent found that yet, I buy mine!

But no, I dont sit around the house eating MREs lol - they are for emergencies (although I did try the beef stew when I was testing out a little mini-cooker). I have a few in my emergency bag in the car with an emergency blanket, water, etc, etc in case I break down or have an accident and am stranded in the middle of nowhere; and I keep the rest in the house in case I am in a natural or man-made disaster and need food.

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Wolfsong

Hey........anyone want to trade MRE's? I got Sloppy Joe's again.

The Commissary at Nellis AFB sells a case of 24 MRE meals for about $85. I think they are assorted varieties, but I can tell you this......they're 150% better than those canned C-rats (leftovers from Vietnam) that we got. Even my poor ol' dog wouldn't eat those.

~Theo~

[Parker]

I buy mine on-line from a site called TheEpicenter and I like to skip the full packages and just get the entrees. They end up costing me about $2.50 each after shipping.

[Nadeest]

I haven't used my VA loan yet, though it became available to me in 1979. Before I use it, I want to be in a much better financial position then I have been in, all these years. I may well end up using it to get a trailer, though I don't know for sure, yet.

[MysticOceansFL]

Just for advice its always best to wait to use it and use it on a more stable house. just saying. I've used my VA on a house years ago and its paid off and now if I get back into the job market again its nice to know I can reuse it later down the road.

Originally Posted by Nadeest

I haven't used my VA loan yet, though it became available to me in 1979. Before I use it, I want to be in a much better financial position then I have been in, all these years. I may well end up using it to get a trailer, though I don't know for sure, yet.