"Many veterans leave the service feeling less whole than when they entered. Regiment has a VSO Liaison who has helped some members get disability compensation and other benefits they deserve. Warthog sat down with our VSO Liaison, BlackJack, for the following interview:
Warthog: What branch were you in, and what did you do?
BlackJack: I was in the USAF from 2010-2018 and worked as a Sensor Operator on the MQ-9 Reaper.
Warthog: Can you describe working as the VSO liaison in Regiment?
BlackJack: My job consists of providing veterans with experience and guidance on VA processes by pointing them in the right direction. This includes Veteran Service Organizations, VA home loans, education, and general benefits.
Warthog: Do you have any unique success stories?
BlackJack: There is nothing cooler than hearing that someone I helped got the increase they were looking for. I've been lucky to have many.
Warthog: Can you describe the impact it's made on you personally?
BlackJack: Regiment, as a whole, has made such a profound impact on me. This job has been extremely rewarding, and there is no better feeling than when someone has success or even a light bulb moment on a topic.
Warthog: What has been the most challenging part of the job?
BlackJack: Watching veterans who should be getting disability, not pursuing their individual claims.
Warthog: Do you have any advice for members or wisdom from your experiences?
BlackJack: Do not wait to file for VA disability, even if you think it's been too long or you don't deserve it. It's never too late, and you absolutely deserve it!
Warthog: Where are you from?
BlackJack: I'm from Grand Forks, ND.
Warthog: Is there anything that you would like to say to the community as a whole?
BlackJack: Thank you for the continued opportunity to be your VSO Liaison. It's an absolute pleasure to have the chance to help veterans every day!
Warthog: One last question: a lot of members like myself feel like they’re “not disabled,” or they’re taking away from other, more deserving members. Any advice for them?
BlackJack: Absolutely, I associate it with working any type of blue-collar job. If you got hurt, you would get workers' comp. Well, VA benefits are the workers' comp of the military. You aren't taking it away from others. Go get what you deserve."
RG | Blackjack_DVC (“VSO”) Interview by RG | Warthog