Shades of Green eligibility related question...

[HeatherPage]

My husband is looking into a job with the Durham V.A. clinic near our area (he was in the Marine Corp. for 6 years - honorably discharged/not retired though)
I know that if you work for the DOD you qualify to stay at Shades of Green, does working for the V.A. give you eligibility also? I'm thinking not but from the post searches I did, I couldn't really tell.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Butch50]

Since The Department of Veterans Affairs has it's own cabinet position, I don't think it is part of DoD. If that is the case, the answer would be no, he won't qualify for SoG.

That's just my take on it. I'd check into it more after he is hired.

 

[fireman17]

I would check the SOG web site. I do believe if he is discharged from military he may qualify for the discount.

 

[BuckNaked]

I would check the SOG web site. I do believe if he is discharged from military he may qualify for the discount.

A discharge doesn't qualify.

 

[BCKatie02]

Here is a link to the eligibility requirements on the Shades of Green Website. Hope this helps!

http://www.shadesofgreen.org/service.htm

 

[HeatherPage]

Thank you for the link and alas, he wouldn't qualify. More room for the people who actually need it!

 

[DisFlan]

Nope, the VA isn't eligible for SOG. My husband is a physician with the VA. We tried and it was a no-go. I know, it's a bummer.

I don't believe your husband's military background will help either. He'd have to be active duty, retired career military, a Medal of Honor recipient, a former POW, family of MIAs, 100% service disabled. There are a few other things that would get you in, but not just having served in the military. My husband was in the Air Force and served in Vietnam, but it doesn't get us into SOG.

But we just got a new 32" TV at a very good price in the VA canteen store. That might soften the blow a little.

DisFlan

 

[HeatherPage]

Disflan - alright on that TV! Seriously, the only reason I asked was that the guy he was talking to about the job said he would get credit for time served in the military (I'm not sure what that means unless he's talking about salary grade and wouldn't be considered entry level salary because of the time in the marine corp.) So uhh...where are these V.A. canteen stores located?

 

[DisFlan]

Disflan - alright on that TV! Seriously, the only reason I asked was that the guy he was talking to about the job said he would get credit for time served in the military (I'm not sure what that means unless he's talking about salary grade and wouldn't be considered entry level salary because of the time in the marine corp.) So uhh...where are these V.A. canteen stores located?

Our canteen store is located in the VA med center in Fayetteville, AR where my husband works. You won't believe the deals on all kinds of stuff. Electronics, clothes, watches. My dh just brought home some very nice Perry Ellis shorts for $10.

Time for military credit is a great deal, too. It adds the years served onto the length of VA employment. So if your husband served 6 years, he could retire with a VA pension for, say, 20 years after having only actually worked at the VA for 14 years. Your husband will also be noted as a veteran. He sort of goes to the head of the line as far as employment applications are concerned.

Unless your DH is a physician, I'm not sure what effect it has on pay scale. The scale for physicians has its own category. My husband is a Grade 10-Step 15, but it's not the same as the general grade 10-15. He also gets Specialty Pay to bring it up to non-VA levels for the area. It gets confusing.

Good luck!

DisFlan

 

[Deb & Bill]

Disflan - alright on that TV! Seriously, the only reason I asked was that the guy he was talking to about the job said he would get credit for time served in the military (I'm not sure what that means unless he's talking about salary grade and wouldn't be considered entry level salary because of the time in the marine corp.) So uhh...where are these V.A. canteen stores located?

The stores are located at each VA medical center. Sometimes they have branches at the bigger Community Based Outpatient Clinics. You get charged no sales tax as well.

His military service will count towards his service at the VA, so he won't start out at Step 1. Steps go up to 10 in GS jobs.

My husband and I also work for the VA.

 

[HeatherPage]

Thanks for the replies everyone! He's definitely going to put in his application (hopefully there won't be alot of competition).

 

[Soldierswifey]

I see alot of people mentioning rooms, but I haven't anyone mention the fact that the 2nd and 3rd rooms have to pay the category 2 rate. Is this the case?

Heres the info from SOG site:
CATEGORY 1: E-1 through E-5 (E-1 thru E-5 Sponsor and dependents
will receive the rate that applies to Category #1. Any additional sponsored
rooms will receive the rate that applies to Category #2)

Also I called today and explained that when we go it will be My husband, me 2 kids and my mom and brother. I explained to her that my son was 3 and she said then 6 of us can stay in the room. 2 on each bed and 2 on the sofabed. I read here on the thread that it was under 3 but the lady said 3 and under. Anyone know about this. I really dont see how they will know because we can all fit , but I still want to know the correct rules

 

[LadyZolt]

Sometimes, SOG offers rates to people who served and were discharged -- like the OP's DH. These are an exception, though, and you'd have to show your DD214 to qualify, but it's something to check for. I think they had one earlier this year and you had to go during a specific time. I don't remember the exact details, but I do recall that it was offered.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)