DOD/DOA Civilians who did tours of duty in Desert Storm/Shield feel forgotten and left out.
As a DOA civilian who did 2 tours of duty in Desert Storm/Shield (along with many other civilians), seems we were left out on many aspects of GWI program. From alerting us about studies, care, info on what to do, issues we have/are dealing with..and this study because we weren't Act. Duty or Reservists. I scanned the report but it is unclear impacts or guidance will be for all of the DOD/DOA civilians who were on orders. I thought these odd things happening to me, was only happening to me. Turns out...they were text book symptoms of the GWI. Had my supervisor, by shear accident, in a new duty location not brought up the Gulf War, I would not have known of the Landstuhl Army hospital GWI physical, on the last day to apply...after the war concluded. I wonder how many civilians did not know a study and exam was happening? How many think their illnesses/issues are something just happening to them? How many know what is being done on this front for anyone else? DOD should have contacted all branches, to get, and keep on file a listing of DOD (and AAFES) Civilians to keep contact on any backgrounds, medical histories, GWI studies, exams, guidance and health service programs on GWI. For me, I was all over the theater and around during much of the detonation of excess ordinance. We stood shoulder to shoulder proudly with those in uniform..yet..even the wording in the report..feel again forgotten about. So, what about us? I continue to work..but I have no idea what I services can be provided for me (or all my civilian peers) for having served in the Gulf War.
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Kevin J.Clark commented
something needs to be done to compensate the DoD civilians who served in the gulf war.
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Valerie Mullikin commented
THIS WAR HAS NEVER ENDED YET THERE IS SIGNIFICANT DISCRIMINATION:
"The Persian Gulf War is legally defined in title 38 U.S.C. § 101(33) as beginning on August 2, 1990, and ending on the date thereafter prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law."
Why must our veterans suffer needlessly at the hands of repeated denials, inadequate health care, insufficiently educated providers, ratings officers who have no medical clue what they are looking at, refusal of treatment (one veteran I am working with has dx ALS and has been denied treatment from local VA in Dayton Ohio), unethical treatment by dentists, and the list of iniquities goes on.
WE ARE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST ~ IAF/OIF veterans and their spouses are treated with dignity and care, they are provided caregiver stipends and given immediate attention. Please tell me how this is acceptable? Why are they able to receive accupuncture and a Desert Storm vet is denied. How is it that we are being forced to be treated at the closest VA when there are others more qualified to provide the best possible treatment?
This system is broken and needs fixed to be NON-DISCRIMINATORY towards all veterans with no designation for services. When 100% all services need to be made available to all veterans and their spouses as most totally disabled veterans have their spouse providing the care giving and the stipend sure would help in our home where I had to obtain a college education in health care to be able to provide assistance to my husband. The Chapter 35 is wonderful but it didn't cover all my expenses and now I have student loans I cannot afford to pay back on VA disability and need a care giver stipend for the hours I work taking care of my husbands medical needs. I need to have dental services and be provided counseling services as a care giver and there is NOTHING FOR ME because my husband is in the group of Desert Storm vets. How is that acceptable to discriminate when the president has not declared the proclamation the conflict/war is over? Post 9/11 is for the birds! Your system used us not just the veteran but family members for experiments of drugs and vaccination during Desert Storm and you have injured us and you need to compensate us without question.
STOP THE DISCRIMINATION AND PROVIDE FOR IMMEDIATE AND FULL COMPENSATION OF ALL SERVICES TO ALL VETERAN FAMILIES AS WELL AS ADEQUATE HEALTH CARE SERVICES INCLUDING HOLISTIC APPROACHES TO PAIN MANAGEMENT AND HERBAL REMEDIES TO AID IN POTENTIAL HEALING OF THE WOUNDED WARRIORS.
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AngryVET commented
Senator/Congressman = not much help. My wife worked for DOD in Saudi Arabia (Al Khobar) Kuwait (Doha) and has similar illnesses as Vets.
You think the Gulf War Vets have been ignored/forgotten, the DOD/ARC have been eliminated. Except the Dynacorp/Gen Dynamics employees who got a nice healthy settlement.
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janet commented
We saw you, I remember you as in generally those of you not in uniform. Thank you for all you did. I was w 10th MASH, Rafha, 91.
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George commented
It has been the same way for all the wars. Once the numbers become small, as you all die off, then the government might do something. Just look at WWII, and you can see how the different civilian groups are slowly being added to the compensation categories. The air transport corps, civilian pilots, ect. Don't look to the VA for help, start with your congress men.