I agree whole heartedly with you here. But, I have noticed it's more in the foreground now then in the 90's when I was fired by President Clinton. Let me fill you in.
In 1991 I was taking my test for E-5. In the middle of the first test, the proctor came up and informed me I would not be around to get the test results, and he was just informed. About 10 of us were asked to leave, and report back to our squadrons. I immediately put in for a waiver to allow me 4 more days so I could take the test and get the results. I was denied. I even asked for favors from those Coronals and Generals that always told me if I needed a favor I was just to ask.
I had only been back from Desert Storm about 2-3 months. After pulling off some major Miracles in the field and supplying the finest service of my career. After finding out about the test news, and finding out I would be discharged in 1992, I was used as a trainer around the world for the last 6 months. So I had no time to search for outside work while having to travel on almost a constant basis. Our Squadron was the leader in a new communications system, and I was the last one available to train on this system as all the others had left for other bases or discharged.
When I went to my Accounting office to sign the final papers, I was told I was to receive a years pay as severance. But, I had to agree to 4 yrs inactive service to get the pay. Of course I was angry and confused. I looked at the officer, and repeated what he said. And then asked him, isn't that considered extortion? What would happen if I didn't want the 4 yrs inactive service. He then told me I would not get the pay. So, of course I signed, because I had a family to look after.
I went to several so called re-employment briefings, that boiled down to here's a pamphlet, and good luck looking for work when you leave. I was upset, appalled, and dazed. After getting out and trying to find housing. I went to the Unemployment office (when we still had offices). I was told I couldn't get unemployment, because the USAF and military didn't pay into the system.
So remember all this was before the internet was even born. I sent out 1200 resumes in the mouths after discharge. I got 3 answers back. I grabbed the first good job I could get. From there I progressed quickly. Besides getting a VA Loan approval a few years later, I had exactly ZERO help from my country for find work, or assisting outside of throwing money at me to leave. So, vets getting bad treatment now doesn't surprise me at all. It shows that our country has changed a bit in 22 yrs.
In the UK, their troops get excellent assistance and support. And if injured they are help with homes and medical assistance to the max. We get a pat on the ass, and sent on our way with a hidden finger behind our backs. Someday, our country will pull it's head from it's posterior, and start treating men and women with the honor they deserve for sacrificing their time, family time, or their health. Someday.... But not in my lifetime. I guess you can tell I am still bitter 22 yrs later.