A Day in the Life of a Fool

2017-10-17T09:07:55-04:00

A few years ago…OK, a few DECADES ago, I was a young E-3. I was stationed at U-Tapao AB, Thailand. The title of this article was uttered by my E-8 shop chief. Don’t let the title fool you. I hope to impart some good advice and hope you find it useful if not interesting. Now being a former G.I. I will admit to having a mouth and am known to cuss like the proverbial one-armed sailor – with no disrespect intended to one-armed sailors. I’ll do my best to keep it clean.

It’s no secret that today’s military is nothing like it was in my day 45 years ago. Oh, there are still a lot of things that will never change, however, getting up at Oh-dark hundred will always be one of them. In all seriousness, things are very different now.

Some of the things that need to be contended with then were often overlooked and left to “work themselves out” as opposed to today where much has been refined. In my day, if you were married and got orders the first thing you did was see if it was accompanied or not (if you were married). Was it a remote or isolated tour, how long, etc? When I was on active duty during the Vietnam War I had 7 PCS assignments in 7 years. Today’s military is faced with what seems to be endless deployments.

Today’s MILFORCE is tired. Pure and simple, it is worn to the bone. We have been engaged in Iraq / Afghanistan nearly as long as we were in Vietnam. One of the biggest things I see is the need for fresh blood (metaphorically, that is). We cannot continue to continually send our war fighters into harm’s way over and over and over again without repercussions. As a PTSD patient I know from where I speak.

During Vietnam a tour was a year to 13 months with a break around halfway for R&R. If you were lucky, you got home and did not get orders back. Some of us volunteered to go back and some like me got back to back tours in SEA. I went from working on B-52s in Thailand to working C-141 and C-5s in Vietnam the next year. I know how much of a toll it took on me and can only imagine the toll it is taking on today’s force. With many of our best having deployed three, four and even five times, it is unfathomable how long these brave warriors can continue before they become permanently broken.

As each day passes, I know we all hope the conflicts facing our nation will come to an end. When that time comes we need to be sure we are ready to readjust…readjust to CONUS duty, OCONUS duty, transfer to the Reserves or National Guard, Discharge, promotion to PFC (Permanent F*****g Civilian) or to retirement.

Readjustment is not easy. Forty-five years after Vietnam and I still haven’t totally readjusted. The time to get yourself ready is before you head out the gate. In a word, NOW is the time. The DoD has done a good job of helping refine the programs to help you make the change and I urge you to take advantage of those programs. If you take nothing else from this, I want you to know that many of you will suffer from PTSD. That is a fact of war. Even before you separate, retire or move on to another base, do something about your PTSD. To ask for help is not a sign of weakness. It IS a sign of strength…strength to stand up and do what others would not do. At this point we know there is no cure for PTSD but with treatment, counseling if you will, you can live a good life after the military. If you need help, get it. If you can’t find it, let me know and I will help you find it!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2017 9:17 AM

2017-10-17T09:17:59-04:00

Excellent article.

The negative stigmas attached to seeking behavioral or psychological health counseling/help are slowly going away in the active force and even I took far too long to go seek some kind of therapy over the shit I saw/did in Iraq.

The Army has come a long way since the days of Vietnam, but it still has a ways to go and there are many people who fear some kind of judgement or negative bias for going and talking to the "shrinks" over their issues. Granted, looking inside oneself and seeing the darkest parts of who we are as individuals is tough even for the most powerful people. Admitting something might be wrong? That's an even bigger leap that many never take. I, for one, always ensure that I advise peers and subordinates that if they're having issues from what they saw over there which have translated into family problems, work problems, substance abuse... to go get help.

If I could give you more than one upvote, I would.

Also - thanks for your service. Vietnam was a shitshow and the way you guys got treated on the home front is appalling. I have to give my kudos to the military from that era simply for not beating the shit out of more psychotic leftists spitting on you and screaming in your faces when you came back to the US. Better men than me.

Response by LCpl Shane Couch made Oct 17 at 2017 10:46 AM

2017-10-17T10:46:29-04:00

I did not have the opportunity to deploy with my unit, as they deployed after my EAS in '02. A few from my unit were injured before and during the invasion of Iraq. A very good Marine and leader in general died during the invasion on 20041110, Ssgt Gene Ramirez. To this day I often wonder if me not being there affected the outcome of my brothers being injured or KIA. Of course nothing would have changed. all events that happened would have happened if I was there or not. Me being there would not prevent the enemy attacking. But this is still something that gets to me. Maybe its guilt or just me feeling useless in the fact that I was not able to render aid when it could have been used the most. I have not deployed to a hostile environment, yet I keep being told I am suffering from PTSD. I just don't get it.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Oct 17 at 2017 6:37 PM

2017-10-17T18:37:44-04:00

SSgt Jim Gilmore - This is excellent advice ,for years after my time in the Service I was plagued with anger and alcohol issues.PTSD may or may not have been the cause in my case but reading this post should help many of our members,thanks again Jim

Response by 1stSgt Mack Housman made Oct 17 at 2017 6:56 PM

2017-10-17T18:56:01-04:00

Absolutely awesome submission sir! Thank you!!

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Oct 18 at 2017 2:55 AM

2017-10-18T02:55:19-04:00

SSgt Jim Gilmore Good article. If you need us, we are here for you.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Oct 19 at 2017 8:10 AM

2017-10-19T08:10:04-04:00

Good read

Response by Sgt Craig McGlinn made Oct 21 at 2017 1:02 AM

2017-10-21T01:02:01-04:00

Well said, Jim, and WELCOME HOME from a fellow Nam Vet (MAG-12, 1st Marine Air Wing, '71-72, Danang, RVN)- Semper Fi!

Response by MCPO Jr Hawk made Oct 22 at 2017 9:21 AM

2017-10-22T09:21:29-04:00

Regrettably, there still exists a stigma surrounding those who let it be known "he went to see the Chaplain" .
Not "Politically Correct", so be it .

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2017 2:06 PM

2017-10-23T14:06:27-04:00

I concur, and thank you SSgt. I have a special place in my heart for Nam Vets, a permanent seat at the table if you will. Things have changed a great deal, I'm a vet of two eras, storm and OIF/OEF, and I can speak from experience that it used to be a career ender if you admitted something was wrong, but now if we see/hear/smell anything resembling PTSD we will pull you out and get you to help immediately, and gladly shake your hand and welcome you back into the fold once it's under control. The monster we are struggling to defeat is our Joe's that go out on their own and are too proud to acknowledge there's something wrong. It's a rough road for all of us, but it's easier if we maintain our commitment to teamwork and our core values.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2017 7:35 PM

2017-10-23T19:35:19-04:00

Thank you for sharing your wisdom with good advice for everyone. Guess it’s been that long ago. 45 years to the day in a couple of days from now.

Response by Nicole Thomas made Oct 25 at 2017 3:38 AM

2017-10-25T03:38:27-04:00

A Permanet F***ing Civilian Sir thats funny.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Nov 16 at 2017 3:22 PM

2017-11-16T15:22:47-05:00

Absolutely an excellent piece of writing may God bless you!

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Nov 17 at 2017 10:15 AM

2017-11-17T10:15:17-05:00

Let's treat others with dignity and respect that's what Veterans want and deserve!

You can easily figure out the character of someone by how they treat those that can do nothing for them.

Knowing that many in this world is worse off than I am. For that I am humbled and very thankful for my time in the military set me up for a pretty good life.
Teamwork is dream work and we should continually strive in helping others improve their lives.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Nov 17 at 2017 11:50 AM

2017-11-17T11:50:23-05:00

When the peace treaties are negotiated and signed. The fight and war isn't over for the Veterans it continues. However politicians can easily agree on spending trillions of dollars sending us into battle. Then why can't the politicians come to their senses and agree on spending billions taking care of the Veterans? As politicians they don't have to be brave to send us into battle. The ones that go into battle are the braves ones putting their lives on the line to ensure we have a free nation . However the politicians should have some decency to see that we get what we deserve when and if we return and not have to fight our own government for it. This shouldn't be a partisan issue when it comes to looking out for Veterans.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Nov 17 at 2017 12:10 PM

2017-11-17T12:10:31-05:00

A little off subject but I think the government should do a heck of a better job caring for Veterans. That should be this country first order of business when it comes to providing services and assistance to any group of people absolutely no offense intended to any one. I am so sick and tired of hearing so many lying politicians say what they are going to do for Veterans. Then they back door us screwing us out of something we deserve. My question is why are there so many homeless veterans? When the peace treaties are negotiated and signed. The fight and war isn't over for the Veterans it continues. However politicians can easily agree on spending trillions of dollars sending us into battle. Then why can't the politicians come to their senses and agree on spending billions taking care of the Veterans? As politicians they don't have to be brave to send us into battle. The ones that go into battle are the braves ones putting their lives on the line to ensure we have a free nation . However the politicians should have some decency to see that we get what we deserve when and if we return and not have to fight our own government for it. This shouldn't be a partisan issue when it comes to looking out for Veterans.

Peace!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 17 at 2017 12:54 PM

2017-11-17T12:54:40-05:00

SSgt Jim Gilmore, thank you for this post. I hope others will read and be encouraged to seek the help they may need.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Nov 18 at 2017 2:53 PM

2017-11-18T14:53:45-05:00

I would rather be a healthy peasant than a rich king

Our Health is the greatest of all our possessions. That's why it's imperative that the VA assures that Veterans care is improved and get rid of the Manager's that are falsifying records on appointments and their facilities are providing sub par care so they can receive bonuses how selfish is that. These unscrupulous Manager's put their bonuses above the life's of Veterans. That's very cold blooded. We know that in battle serving some of us will never return home alive. However that shouldn't be case losing lives of Veterans because they couldn't get an appointment. We must contact our elected politicians and let them hear it from us that we will not stand for Veterans to continually be mistreated and receive sub par care.

Just because I receive good care from the VA facility in Martinez California. It doesn't make me feel any better knowing that somewhere out there a Veteran died because he or she couldn't get an appointment or they committed suicide because they were so frustrated with the system.

Keep in mind how long did our government deny agent orange? I wasn't there but I talked to so many guys that explained how the herbicide was all over the foliage and everything around them. Now let's fast forward almost 700,000 of us were sent to the Persian Gulf in 1991. Many returned with illnesses that couldn't be determined what they were. Headaches, nausea and rashes etc. Later to know as the Gulf War Illness. Most of the Veterans are having a heck of a time with the VA Benefits system again because the government is in denial.

This is not right it's unacceptable and should not be happening at all! Although the system has improved there is still a lot of work to be done. Again I say we as brothers and sisters we must hold these so called Veteran friendly Politicians accountable to deliver not on promises but on what's right. Let's not let them continue to play Russian roulette with our health care. Because our health is the main source off our wealth!

Peace!

Response by PFC Douglas Stutz made Nov 18 at 2017 3:26 PM

2017-11-18T15:26:15-05:00

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Nov 21 at 2017 10:25 PM

2017-11-21T22:25:25-05:00

Did any of you read the article in stars and stripes in regards to a VA study shows parasites from Vietnam may be killing Veterans that served there.

I suggest anyone that served in country there read this.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/parasite-from-vietnam-may-be-killing-vets/

Peace!

Slow-killing parasite from Vietnam may be killing veterans, VA study says
Test results show some men may have been infected while fighting in the jungles of Southeast Asia

Slow-killing parasite from Vietnam may be killing veterans, VA study says

Test results show some men may have been infected while fighting in the jungles of Southeast Asia

Response by SSgt Liam Babington made Dec 31 at 2017 9:04 PM

2017-12-31T21:04:24-05:00

When I finished up my active duty I came home to my wife, she had moved to Scandinavia and I followed soon after. I had 4 deployments in all! I deal with PTSD/TBI and now understand what the Vietnam Veterans go through! Simply put, where I live there is almost NO services! I have been working with Veterans where I now live! Slowly we are making progress. I work for myself and go to school online! The internet is a blessing. All I can say is I have Come a long way and always have a long way to go!!

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Jan 24 at 2018 5:49 PM

2018-01-24T17:49:19-05:00

SSgt Jim Gilmore I for one is still being treated for PTSD. I was never in combat although I had a terrible accident while on active duty station in Germany that nearly caused me my life. I suffered in silence for so long to the point I couldn't take it anymore. I never turned to alcohol or drugs I just had nightmares and couldn't sleep. While at the VA for another appointment I told my primary care Doctor and she gave me a referral to Mental Health. One of the best decisions I ever made was going to see a Psychologist. It has done wonders to my life. I sincerely thank the VA and GOD for surely.

Thanks for sharing your story.

Peace!

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Jan 26 at 2018 9:35 AM

2018-01-26T09:35:02-05:00

Thank you comrade for your service. I have been honored to assist the veterans who came before me, as a Disabled American Service Officer. Your narrative is most compelling SSgt Jim Gilmore . I especially like, ...ok a few DECADES:0)

Response by SSG Robert Gibbs made May 24 at 2019 2:36 PM

2019-05-24T14:36:38-04:00

PTSD is a serious matter.