What is the best way to recover from burnout?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 13:51:14 -0500

The last year has been super crazy for me. I spent 6 years in a very toxic(for me) environment. Kept thinking if I keep pushing I can make it work. Finally had enough and transfered compos and am in the process of re classing, on top of applying to grad schools. I like where I am at now. The unit mission is much more interesting and has a higher optempo, which fits with career goals. That being said I still feel very mentally exhausted from the old unit, I also find it hard to take people at their word even though where I'm at now they have 100% delivered on everything they promised. I am hoping once I get MOSQ maybe I will start to feel a bit better. Does anyone have any advice how to move past the burn out feeling?

Response by CPT Richard Trione made Feb 13 at 2023 2:01 PM

CPT Richard Trione — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 14:01:48 -0500

Thank you so much for sharing this great information!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2023 2:48 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 14:48:35 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I have always been a hard worker that sets goals. When I was discharged, I had a goal of getting a good job, working on my degree, and then working on the Space Program. I obtained my degree and quit a high paying chemical plant job to work on the Space Shuttle Program. I started working on the program in the early stages when it was still three years before the first Space Shuttle flight. I was used to long hours, so the very long work weeks were ok. At the eight year mark, I was stressed out and quietly looked for other jobs. What I found were jobs that did not provide the satisfaction of seeing a Space Shuttle launch and land. I ended my 33 year career with the last Space Shuttle flight of Atlantis. Working on a program that I loved was worth the long hours and stress. Doing what you love is a great way to deal with burnout. Keeping busy working on your goal list also helps.

Every career has good and bad years. The loss of Space Shuttles Columbia and Challenger along with their crews, shut the program down for a combined five years. These were dark times, but having a goal of safely flying the Space Shuttles again, kept us going during these hard years.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2023 3:13 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 15:13:37 -0500

Leave combined with a little "I & I" always did the trick for me.
Off post psychological counselling may also help, but don't take meds without realizing that they "should" be reported. If you don't report, an accident (fatal or not) combined with unauthorized meds could result in a "Line of Duty - NO" finding. I think that I would consider some breathing space between the toxic assignment and working towards a masters. Emotional and physical exhaustion can create even more problems while trying to decompress.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Feb 13 at 2023 3:55 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 15:55:25 -0500

Find some time to do something for you. That could be volunteer work, or a hobby. But find something that is separate from school and work and everything else. But find something that feeds your soul and spirit. It will help refresh you

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2023 7:12 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 19:12:52 -0500

As soon as I can figure that out......Been BOG for just under 3 weeks in my deployed setting and already burnt out.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2023 9:09 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 21:09:13 -0500

I was right there with you.

I was ready to just resign at the first opportunity I finished my original obligation. Like you, it was a transfer.

I personally don't think a new MOS/AOC will solve the problem. I'm not saying it's "bad", just don't expect it to be the solution. The Army is the Army wherever you are. It makes a temporary change in that you have the period of time where you spin up on the new career trajectory which forces you to go through a TRADOC period and are not actually available for missions until qualified. So don't let that "honeymoon period" fool you. I hope you landed in a better situation.

Now, I'm happier where I am as well. It just makes life workable now verses being forced to fail and hope no one notices, and stressing out about it until I learned that's what everyone else is doing around me as well.

I got lucky. I just let time heal (or more less because my minimal obligation forced the issue), but remember to hang onto those lessons learned, and apply them when going forward. So while I cooled my jets after getting out of my bad situation it allowed me to take stock of what I had, and how to navigate the system going forward.

For me historically, the first step toward healing from burnout is creating an exit plan of where I plan to make a move next.

*******
Now, off topic, with the recent events in Europe as we all know what I am talking about:

Imagine if you will that the President of the USA said to the entirety of the USAR and the NG that every single one of our units have to roll out with all equipment we have based on the readiness status of said equipment as it is reported in GSSA-Army. Yep...........

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Feb 13 at 2023 11:59 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 23:59:51 -0500

You just have to push through and find ways to succeed. Late 2004 I was counting the months down to the end of my committed commissioning time and 1.5 years ago I retired from the active army. I can tell you for me 65% of my problems were caused by me and you have to be able to look at every situation with a wide angle lens. By no means am I saying these issues are caused by you but I can tell both from a personal experience and professional nursing experience, many issues are deeper inside the person than they realize or want to accept. I was fortunate that back then leaders could break you down to pieces and had a few that did that for me. The end of everyday was the end of that day , I took a big look at my situation, and climbed out of it. Days only last for 24hours before you get a new start, months last no longer than 31 days before you get a new month, and a year is 365 days. What is making you feel burnt out? I am thinking that maybe a new unit and the re class is enough and that grad school should wait. Or something else should wait. Get things in order before adding to your load.

Response by CSM William Everroad made Feb 14 at 2023 8:42 AM

CSM William Everroad — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 08:42:40 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member, I agree with Sgt Private RallyPoint Member, there are going to be rough patches. The Army is great at finding ways to test us.

Like SSgt Christophe Murphy suggested, Resilience is about balance. Work, social, family, etc. Take a vacation, hang out with good friends, talk with colleagues about big Army stuff. Find ways to frame your Army frustrations as opportunities to develop yourself. Leverage what you are good at to apply to your job. Burn out is a symptom. You won't win by yourself and if you are overextending yourself, physically and/or mentally, its time to take a beat and examine what is truly important to yourself, your boss, your co-workers.

Take care of the fitness triad. Do things to maintain your mental health, physical health, and spiritual health. You will be stronger for it.

Not everyone is a breacher [insert Combat Engineer reference here], there is no sense on beating your head against obstacles like colleagues or systems you can't change. Find your way around.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2023 7:14 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 07:14:50 -0500

BLUF, you have to take a break. You have to slow down and rest your body, mind, and soul. If toxicity was in the mix, then soul-care should not be underestimated. This is my opinion.

I have been in a while now, just left a bad unit at Campbell. I was a 92A as well. Took me about 6 months to recover to some semblance of normal.

Other part of that is to stay connected to the brotherhood. Talk it out, develop your personal AAR, and create new goals. If it's alright with you, I would love to send you a message sir and talk further.