Why should you care about who I am?

I'm a veteran and a lay advocate for all veterans. I do not hide behind a screen name, pseudonym or handle.  Jim Strickland is my name and I live near Savannah, Georgia.

I have no fear of the VA coming after me when I criticize the practices of the organization.  That isn't how VA operates no matter what you hear.

I served in the Army 1967 - 1970. I'm son of a retired USMC MGySgt E-9. Dad was a WWII veteran and Iwo Jima survivor.

USMC PFC Roy Strickland

I joined the Army in 1967 where I was trained as a Combat Medic and later became an Army Operating Room Specialist...91D20.

I was sent to Germany to work in surgery at the 98th General Hospital. I'm a Vietnam era veteran, not a Vietnam veteran. I've never experienced combat.

I remained in the health care field after my tour in the Army. I enjoyed my work in surgery, cardiac cath labs, as a manager, director and vice-president and as a consultant to hospitals, doctors practices and heart specialty centers. I took advantage of my Army training and did well with it.

In 2003 I was forced to retire due to a service-connected condition. I began writing about VA benefits after my own prolonged battle with the VA. Larry Scott was a friend and mentor from the start and any small success I may have is because of his encouragement.

My work can be found all over the Internet. My series of articles called "Jim's Mailbag" is a feature on Stateside Legal.

I was a 91D20, a surgical technician working in an operating room in the 98th General Hospital near Baumholder, Germany. I recall that it was intense duty for a 19 year old. I saw things I didn't want to see but it was my job so I did it as well as I could.

I'm married to Polly...her son is in the Army. He's in Germany now waiting to ETS. He's done 2 combat tours and decided that was enough.

Sgt. Patrick Scotty Allen is married to Melissa. She's waiting for him at here with us.  His one year old son is here too. They're an outstanding young couple who have made us very proud.