Wasn't sure if I should post this in Soldier's Stories or here, but what the hey...

So I'm trying to get some state funding for retraining since I lost my Job, & Today I went in to build my profile & submit my application. Everything was going great 'til the counselor attempted to confirm my status with selected service (Registered 19 yrs ago, served 2.5 hitches since then). Problem: I wasn't on the SSR website. Hmmm...So we checked with the VA counselor- she couldn't retrieve my records either. Hmmmmmm....
So we called the SSR director. She checked my file, replied: Oh, his record was sealed, that's standard practice when a Veteran is DECEASED."
........ .......Ummmm, excuse me? I'm deceased? as in, dead?
("This is a late Parrot. ")
It would appear that my name (along w/ SSN & history) was submitted to the VA & SSR on an OIF casualty list in MAY of 2004! So I've been "dead" for over a year & a half...

Now I'm torn. Do I submit documentation to the gov. to prove I'm still alive, or do I have my Wife submit a claim for death benefits...

In a more serious vein, I wonder what family is now out there fighting to prove to the Government that there son really IS dead, and is due full honors... .

So- How was your day?

First of all welcome back Robert. Long time no see. I was thinking about you the other day while watching Band of Brothers for the umpteenth time.

This is really stranger than fiction. There was a M.A.S.H. episdoe where Hawkeye went through a similar issue, and various movies. You don't expect it to happen in real life. If I were you I'd watch it around your wife? She may figure it's open season, since you're already dead.
:-)

Good luck with that and keep us posted, so we know when and where to send flowers.

Damn... Now that is spookey!

Love the Python reference. Kudos.

"I'm feeling better."

Shaun

Look on the bright side, no more taxes.

Good to see you back Robert....

When I enlisted, and arrived at boot camp, there was this other guy who's name started with O'M----- also, it seems we both got assigned the same serial number...... it took the entire 12 weeks of boot camp to get it straightened out. Fortunately we were both in the same boot camp company. Had we been in different companies, we probably never would have found out about the SNAFU.

Kind of explains why you lost your job in the first place 'cause...DEAD PEOPLE DON"T WORK...

Seriously though, this is spooky. Good story! And just in time for Halloween!

So how exactly did you die?

That is a classic! :-) Exactly the sort of question you think you will never ask.

OMG, how terrible. Please accept my condolances on your, errr, loss? BTW does this make you a zombie? :-)

I retired as a COL from the USAR, and still have quite a few contacts in the system. The Personnel system through St Louis handles all the stuff for former members of the Army, both Active and Reserve. If you were in the Army, they may be able to help. PM me if you think that may help things get straightened out.

In the mean time, your current status as "deceased" may open up some opportunity. I wonder if the law can prosecute anyone for committing a crime, if they are "dead". :-) :-) :-)

Seriously, perhaps the first step might be to consult with an Attorney for advice on what it takes to be issued some sort of legal documentation which proves that you in fact are who you say you are and are in fact quite alive.

One thing which should help is that you fingerprints should be on file with your military records, and are supposed to be in the system. That should prove your identity.


Very strange. Were you actually involved in OIF thus putting you on someone's roster, allowing an accidental submission of your name through the casualty system?

Tom

There aren't many people who can begin a story with "Do you remember the time I found out that I was dead?" Seriously, good luck with the red tape you are about to have to unravel.

Patrick

Consder the possibilities:
You go to a social function with your wife wearing tatters and smelling bad. She gets to say, "Don't mind him; he's dead."
No one gets to bad mouth you. Remember, speak kindly of the dead.
You get to be the ulimate "Dead Head".
When you prove you really are alive, you get to start your own religion and set up as a sacrament.

Now that is so freakin funny I won't even try to add any witty remarks. But this, once it gets straighteed out, will always be one of those funny stories you'll be able to tell over and over again

I can actually say I’ve seen something like this before.

When I was in high school I went to a vocational for there carpentry and millwork class.
We had to older men up there that had done mill work but there company went out of business and they were left unemployed.
Consider they were to old to be hired and would be retiring in a few years there unemployment agent got them set up to use our shop to do millwork and get paid by the state.

Well the one week one of them didn’t get his check. He went to there office to check in to it he was told that he was dead. Apparently he’s Social Security Number was listed as dead.
He was able to get it fixed but had to go 2 or 3 weeks without getting paid (they did pay him the money after they realized he really was still alive.)

You should be able to get things cleared up. Hopefully it will go well.




They couldn’t give you a life sentence.