You're blasting me with questions, Captain. So, I've started a brand new post to get me back on at least one track, and not two or more. Of course your Captain bars entitle you to wear two tracks to my one Lieutenant bar, even if it is silver like yours'. We've come a bit of a ways in just two weeks on this ROLL CALL. It's taken a bit of 'action' on the part of Dan Da Man and you, The Captain, and me, of course, the LT. At this point, it think it is important to take an inventory. We have established in this medium which is not a BLOG or a 'social media' site. This is a unique site consisting of a dialogue between you, The CENTURION, and me, The Fisherman. The 'mission' of this escapade is to enlighten, provide and teach those Veterans who for the first time are entering the Veterans Administration for your Veteran benefits.
There is a 'game' to be played if one is to do this correctly. Some refer to it as 'playing the system'. Both of those 'slangs' are a 'bang' on what it really is that one needs to do to be successful with their medical benefits, and all other benefits offered the American Veteran for serving his or her country. So instead of looking at it like you are going to be standing in a long line to a soup kitchen to get yourself a bowl of lukewarm gruel as a 'handout' from society, I would turn that around that you are 'filling out the paperwork' to be accepted to Stanford University, or Harvard University. There is no way that standing in a soup kitchen line is requiring you to know how to 'play the game' or 'work the system'. But getting into the VA's system, or getting accepted to Harvard or Stanford requires a discipline and proficiency of their requirements in order to prevail, or in the case of Harvard, Stanford and the VA, be accepted.
Frankly, I have already established three rules for ROLL CALL. I am about to inaugurate the Rule #4. If one of my grandkids wanted to go to Harvard, or Stanford, and it was up to me to advise them on just how to succeed, and be accepted, I would hire an 'advocate'. In other words, I'd seek out a professional who could guide me through every process the institution is requiring, make sure I knew and understood the process, and be aware of all the 'i's' I need to dot, and all the 't's' I need to cross in order to be considered a 'real' applicant.
So, Rule #4 here on ROLL CALL is: Get an advocate.
Now, let's get away from Stanford and Harvard, and get back to the VA. There are a million rules and regulations steering the VA System. It is the biggest socialized medical facility in the world. And, it is an American treasure. I have been solely involved with it as my only medical service since June, 1966. BUT, there are problems, too. And with problems come complacency and 'burn out'. Millions upon millions of American fighting men and women have been served by the VA since the first two, the Lamb Boys, fell at a little bridge in Concord, Massachusetts. A shot that was heard around the world. So, believe me, I'm not 'down' on the VA, and I'm not down on Universities like Stanford and Harvard having strict admission standards.
So, stick with me here and do feel free to read and re-read all of these posts on ROLL CALL. And, if you have specific questions, do feel free to email me or Bill, and we will address them here.
LT
