Space Force Veteran Gregory Underation receives his care at VA Health Care System of the Ozarks. It was an opportunity to serve a Veteran from the newest branch of service.
The Space Force was officially created in 2019, 72 years after the Air Force. Its mission is to secure the nation’s interests in, from and to space. Underation completed his technical training with the 18th Space Control Squadron at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Underation served his first two years in the Air Force and transitioned to the Space Force as a conjunction analysis operator for his last two years of service. A conjunction analysis operator monitors satellites to ensure no collisions and to signal intelligence to ensure there is no nefarious activity anywhere.
Like being an air traffic controller for space
Underation explains his job as being equivalent to an air traffic controller for space. Next, he trained and certified others in operating Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program satellites. These satellites collect space situational awareness data for more accurate tracking and characterization of man-made, orbiting objects.
“We are a real branch of 8,000 strong. We are a small unique community. I was proud to serve in the Honor Guard for six months before joining the Air Force, now Space Force,” he said.
These days, Underation enjoys his time farming and working as a real estate agent in the Joplin, Missouri, area. He is an Ohio native who recently relocated with his family to an 80-acre farm in Stella, Missouri.
“This is where the real estate landed us,” he said, of he and his family settling in an area that was “alien” to them.
He receives VA his care at the Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Joplin, MO.
His advice for fellow Veterans is, “Enroll in VA health care, seek help, reach out to other Veterans and take the first step by making the call.”
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Again, this article implies that all Veterans are eligible for VA health care. I served for 11 years in the Air Force (1967-78), served a year in Vietnam, did not retire from the Air Force (I was cut loose during a Post Vietnam Reduction-In-Force), and did not have any service-connected disabilities. My wife served four years in the Air Force (1975-70) and also left the Air Force without any service-connected disabilities. She is not eligible for VA care due to our income. I would not be eligible had I not been able to file disability claims related to Agent Orange Presumptive medical conditions. Otherwise, I would not have been eligible due to our income.