Friend was recently discharged...what now?

[Sharkbait]

Originally Posted by Dibs50

I'd get him back in school as soon as he gets his stuff together. In a 4 year school (at least when I was there 20 years ago), you don't have to declare a major when you get in. You've got a couple of years to do it. There are general courses that he'll have to take but he can also take electives and try out different areas of interest. By this time, he should have a clue as to what he wants to do.

I'm not military or former military but I'd think the GI bill would be the way to go for school and the VA for help dealing with his mental health issues.

Find a university that has a Veterans Upward Bound office, they will walk him through the process of getting up to speed for college. Humboldt State University in Northern California has a great program.

[jtkratzer]

Originally Posted by Dibs50

He needs some time to get his head together. There is nothing that will replace time. The further he gets away from the bad experience (time wise) the better he will be.

I had a buddy who married a German girl here in the states. The day after their one year anniversary, she left him. She'd gotten her US citizenship so he was now expendable. It really sucked. Some people can be so cold.

I was in a long term relationship (8 years total of which 3 yrs we were engaged) when I broke it off. I finally woke up and smelled the coffee and realized that only one of us was trying. It took me a summer to get my head back on right and get some direction. It may take your buddy longer if he's got some Psych issues.
I'd get him back in school as soon as he gets his stuff together. In a 4 year school (at least when I was there 20 years ago), you don't have to declare a major when you get in. You've got a couple of years to do it. There are general courses that he'll have to take but he can also take electives and try out different areas of interest. By this time, he should have a clue as to what he wants to do.

I'm not military or former military but I'd think the GI bill would be the way to go for school and the VA for help dealing with his mental health issues.

Just continue being a supportive friend. Wish him luck. Tell him that there are many people out there who thank him for his service. I am one of them. Good luck!

He's already getting care at the VA and he is debating going to school on the GI bill...he's thinking about going to school in Germany since it's only a couple hundred bucks per semester rather than 15k+ here.

Fortunately, his wife/ex/whatever wasn't in it for the citizenship...she was only here for a few months for an internship through the university in Germany. That's when the issues started...she was in Portland and didn't know anyone at all...no one really knows whats going on with her though, not her friends, not even her parents. The parents told my buddy they're neutral on things and not taking sides. It's not like they're fighting, I think it's a matter of her not being interested any more for some reason.