Original Poster,
I'm afraid I agree with some of the others here, as your story does seem to be a bit "fishy". By fish, I'm implying that perhaps you are leaving bits of the story out. Bits that may be embarrassing, or shed bad lighting on your or your girlfriend’s situation. Regardless, I am a NC resident, got out of the Army in 2008 (after serving ten years as an MP), and now currently work in the law enforcement field (I commute to DC, as you are right, the job market is crazy right now). So, here's the advice I can give you:
(keep in mind I didn't memorize all the entries, so I apologize if I am "double tapping" actions taken or methods already suggested)
Your girlfriend needs to the Social Security office in your area, and have her get a new SS card. For this you only need a birth certificate, and I believe two forms of photo ID. The SS office give her a temp SS card (it's like a letter), and the real deal arrives in the mail in 7-10 days.
What's that don't have two forms of ID or a birth certificate? Have her call the hospital she was born in, and request a certified copy of her birth record. Most hospitals charge a small fee, but if she plays the wounded vet card, it might be waived. Need another photo ID? Well if she hasn't gone to the closest VA Hospital to sign up anyway.....boom..... instant recognizable photo ID. Not to mention if she was discharged because of her injuries..... she would be a medically retired soldier (i.e.- she would have an ID). If she was simply injured, but suitable for duty, but decided to get out on her own..... then that would explain the lack of ID card.
I understand she has a Montana license (that was expired). As long as her license expired while she was active duty, than she should have (and in theory) still be able to fill this out:
http://www.doj.mt.gov/driving/forms/34-1303.pdf
The Montana DMV site, states this:
"•Military personnel who have a valid Montana license when they enter the armed forces may use their Montana license until 30 days after an honorable discharge.
•To obtain a military exemption or to renew your Montana license, contact the Motor Vehicle Division Customer Service Center at (866) 450-8034 or, if you are out of state, e-mail the Motor Vehicle Division at
mvd@mt.gov."
So overall it sounds like your girlfriend got out of the Army on her own (i.e.- time was up, or was discharged based on an injury, but it was of her own decision). She still had her Montana license (which expired August 2008), and she got some tickets in NC. Montana recognizes the license 30 days past the honorable discharge date. So if it was taken within that window, you have yourself a "loop-hole", but if not..... she brought it on herself. Although she may have been unaware of Montana's or North Carolina's licensing policies, which I could see realistically happening.
Because of the tickets received (even though she had an out of state license) it sounds as though her driving privileges are suspended:
NCDOT Division of Motor Vehicles: Suspensions & Revocations
I know in other states I've lived, the point systems can transfer. Although she wouldn't lose her MT license for speeding in NC, she would lose her driving privileges in NC period. You may have to check on that, so all the effort isn't in turn wasted on something she ultimately is unable to obtain...??
If she's having a hard time with the job market, I might be able to help. Depending if she's in Raleigh or Fayetteville I may know of something. Also, if her resume needs some fluff and sprucing, I've been known as "clever military to civilian translation / word play" guy, and wouldn't mind touching up her existing resume.
Hopefully I don't come off as arrogant or finger pointing, just laying the facts, and calling it like I see it. Hopefully her situation isn't as bad as what you initially implied. Hopefully I am wrong in some of my assumptions, but either way I would be more than happy to help. My email is
mrorang3@yahoo.com if you'd like the "assist". Good luck!
-Brian
Side Note: Citing a medical discharge from the U.S.Army, more than likely she would not be accepted into the Marine Corp. In addition, the the basic training and AIT courses are not considered on the same level. So even if she was given the exact same job (i.e.- supply, military police, medic, etc) she would need to go through basic training and AIT all over again. Something I imagine she would not be interested in doing. On the other hand, if her goal is to get back into the military (but not the Army), the Navy and Air Force have basic training programs on the same level of that of the Army's. She would only have to go through their version of Advanced Initial Training (AIT), and not basic training.