They Listened: The Havok Journal Highlights Veterans’ Registry Burdens
FLORIDA ACTION COMMITTEE · MEDIA
They Listened: The Havok Journal Highlights Veterans’ Registry Burdens
By FAC Media
The Havok Journal listened to one of our own: an FAC member and retired U.S. Army sergeant. We thank its editors for helping readers understand serious burdens facing veterans, military retirees and their families.
Their article, Sex Offender Registries Can Limit Veterans’ Housing and Care Options, by a retired U.S. Army veteran and FAC member, looks at housing help, military base access and long-term care.
Havok calls itself the “Voice of the Veteran Community.” This coverage brings our concerns to more military readers and the wider public.
To all FAC members and everyone reading: please take a look, whether you served or not. It helps explain the registry’s wider infrastructure: the laws, policies and systems that shape access to housing, care and family life.
One article can show only part of that system. These are only some of the barriers people face. Spouses, children and caregivers can feel the effects, too.
This coverage also helps Florida Action Committee’s voice reach potential members who have questions or need support. Some may not yet know our community is here for them.
Child safety and public safety matter deeply. So does asking whether these rules help people live safely and rebuild their lives. Please read, share and help others understand.
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In 2013, I was convicted on UCMJ article 134 (a catch-all for crimes not otherwise spelled out), in my case 2 counts viewing child porn over 15 years old. The court members (jury) sentenced me to 6 months on base and loss of 2 stripes (MSgt to SSgt), but specified I was allowed to retire with full benefits, including base access. A year later, the Secretary of the Air Force gave me my rank back after reviewing my case.
I was released early after 128 days, and I registered with Florida the day I was released from base. For 8 years I came and went from base like any other retiree. But in 2022, while entering base going to the commissary (groceries) my wife and I were held for 25 minutes and finally told I was barred from access. No reason given, just told to contact the visitors center, who after a week finally told me the base commander had barred me from the base but would not provide me a letter of barment. Almost a year later, after doing a FOIA records request, I finally got a letter saying I was barred due to my criminal record.
My son is an AF pilot, my daughter and grandchildren are AF dependents overseas. I was never able to visit my grandchildren at their overseas base or my son’s promotion. I’ve missed birthdays, Christmases, school plays, sports ,etc etc. My wife went alone. How does taking away my earned benefits confirmed by the jury who convicted me make anyone safer?
I’m planning to get a post up this weekend! If you’re a veteran or retiree with a compelling story to share, The Havok Journal is looking for submissions and is even open to using pseudonyms if needed(change names). While not every draft makes it to publication, the team reads everything, and they are definitely looking for new voices right now. #veterans #stories #writing #military ✍️🎖️📖 800 words or so well written and sources if you can. Thank you. If you need help and your story is confidential to us media can help read and edit to meet their needs!