Posted on May 10, 2015
Does Anything, or Has Anything, in the Military Ever Caused You Stress and/or Anxiety?
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In my 14 years in the military now, I've witnessed essentially two extremes with the way people handle and cope with stress/anxiety.
Some are consumed with it, while others seem to accept it as a simply a part of a sometimes very dynamic and unpredictable profession.
So, what is it for you?
In a time of rapid force shaping/draw down, it seems like stress and anxiety have become commonplace amongst many servicemembers. Futures seem to be uncertain, whether in relation to critical professional milestones like promotion (or hope for promotion), disciplinary actions (pending and possible impacts on future), thoughts of separation....
....or, these could possibly be related to things like, perhaps, embarking on a new position, uncertainty of how to handle a very challenging and complex situation (with a subordinate Soldier? or boss?), waiting for results of something (school? promotion? an exam/test?), etc...
What causes YOU stress/anxiety, and how have you coped with it?
I'd be lying if I didn't say that I have, personally, experienced some stress and anxiety throughout my career. As a type-A personality--as I suspect many Soldiers, especially officers and Senior NCOs are--I flourished in environments where I feel like I have 'control'. Unfortunately, there always seems to be an air of unpredictability related to alot of things in the military, and that unpredictability, at least to me, translates into a feeling like I don't necessarily 'control' certain things (processes, outcomes, etc).
Feel free to share as a little or as much as you feel comfortable with.
Personally, I've found that alot of Servicemembers DO have these feelings, however, I think they somehow manage to compartmentalize them and not allow them to really surface.
Some are consumed with it, while others seem to accept it as a simply a part of a sometimes very dynamic and unpredictable profession.
So, what is it for you?
In a time of rapid force shaping/draw down, it seems like stress and anxiety have become commonplace amongst many servicemembers. Futures seem to be uncertain, whether in relation to critical professional milestones like promotion (or hope for promotion), disciplinary actions (pending and possible impacts on future), thoughts of separation....
....or, these could possibly be related to things like, perhaps, embarking on a new position, uncertainty of how to handle a very challenging and complex situation (with a subordinate Soldier? or boss?), waiting for results of something (school? promotion? an exam/test?), etc...
What causes YOU stress/anxiety, and how have you coped with it?
I'd be lying if I didn't say that I have, personally, experienced some stress and anxiety throughout my career. As a type-A personality--as I suspect many Soldiers, especially officers and Senior NCOs are--I flourished in environments where I feel like I have 'control'. Unfortunately, there always seems to be an air of unpredictability related to alot of things in the military, and that unpredictability, at least to me, translates into a feeling like I don't necessarily 'control' certain things (processes, outcomes, etc).
Feel free to share as a little or as much as you feel comfortable with.
Personally, I've found that alot of Servicemembers DO have these feelings, however, I think they somehow manage to compartmentalize them and not allow them to really surface.
Posted in these groups: 
Stress
Stress
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 9
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Stress caused by financial worries and Always being deployed caused stress And now since I am out I have learned that I have PTSD Always wondered why I changed when I came home. My wife did not know me before I went to War But now I am trying to learn how to wade through the VA system. Any ideas how to deal with this PTSD ? People and my work think I am crazy or something is wrong with me.
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SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.
You aren't crazy but you do have something wrong with you and that needs attention.
Don't take on the VA alone .. you are way out numbered.
Go to the VFW and see the Service Rep.
Bring your DD214.
You should get help with the VA machine.
Don't take on the VA alone .. you are way out numbered.
Go to the VFW and see the Service Rep.
Bring your DD214.
You should get help with the VA machine.
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I hate to admit it, but marching troops/D&C creates quite a bit of anxiety. For better or worse, this just isn't done much if at all in most RC units (at least the 4 I have been with). Even at NCOES it was not really more complicated then Right Face, Forward March down the path to the academy, then File From the Left/Right into the classroom.
For some reason, however, when I am out there in control, I suddenly can't remember my left and right. I don't ever actively think "I am going to turn right" or "turn left" at an intersection during the normal course of my day; I just inherently know that I am turning in a direction, without putting a name on it. So often I find myself marching with these calls: "Column left..as you were....Column Right" or visa versa. At least my mistakes are still called on the correct step.
For some reason, however, when I am out there in control, I suddenly can't remember my left and right. I don't ever actively think "I am going to turn right" or "turn left" at an intersection during the normal course of my day; I just inherently know that I am turning in a direction, without putting a name on it. So often I find myself marching with these calls: "Column left..as you were....Column Right" or visa versa. At least my mistakes are still called on the correct step.
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