Marine Veteran Seeks Government Grant Money For Life Necessities

by Jeremiah S.
(Xenia, OH, USA)

The 9/11 attacks happened when I was in Marine boot camp Plt. 2081.

I joined with high hopes to further my education, but upon graduating my mind was distorted and in disarray due to the incredible amount of stress I was placed under.

During the times of combat training and motor vehicle operators course my mind was filled with thoughts of an impending doom, stress was constant and sleep was deficient.

My fear was out of control so much so that numbness was present and I was without personality.

I was attached to a moving company and charged with the billet of liaison. I split shifts with another marine every 12 hours.

I was to track and record marines and soldiers in March of 2003 at a surgical battalion Naval hospital.

Tragedy furthered the stress to a point where it was unbearable. I denied my illness and continued to go forward.

When I arrived back to the United States in June 2003. I had no family and no friends until I met a Marine from a similar duty station overseas in Japan.

I began self-medicating and it made my sickness worse. I was next released from active duty and denied benefits for my permanent disorder.

However, based upon what I paid into until I was 24, I do qualify for assistance amounting to $10,000 a year.

This does not provide much breathing room for furniture or auto repair costs and there's little chance for me to get ahead.

Working is not an option due to back injuries, thought blocking, and difficulty concentrating from the Marine Corps.

Compensation isn't a possibility either because I did not fulfill my contract. Applying for a grant is my last option.