Can you describe how you felt coming home from a deployment or combat?

I remember when I came back from deployment, I was lot more of an angry person than I have ever been in my entire life. While deployed we only had one soldier that didn't make it back with us; and we done a service in theatre. That undoubtedly the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Coming home after that had me feeling like I was lucky to still be here. BC the soldier who died was sitting where I was supposed to be when he was shot. Having that happen made me feel like the worst person in the world and like I didn't deserve to be here.

It was totally surreal coming home from Vietnam in 1968. I don't think I absorbed anything for the first week I was home I was on constant alert didn't sleep well and every little sound woke me up. I remember an ambulance coming down the street with his siren and I rolled under the bed and covered and my wife at the time asked me if I was okay and I told her it don't mean nothing. Sorry

Returning home was always exciting and a burst of love as your greeted by loved ones! It’s also very sad as you bare witness to fact that your children have grown and changed over the past 9 months to year. You realize how much you missed & not just specifically, the birthdays & holidays, but everything. It’s a high & a low but relief to be back in the comforts of home and your family/friends. Everyone safe. My happiness is in just really looking at them & listening to their voices, especially the 1st few day & weeks. Pure love again like the day I birthed my children & loving your spouse just because they did the best a parent single handed, could do. Appreciation for sure.

Eventhough I enjoyed Japan, it felt good being back home!

Mixed emotions. Glad to be home, but sad to not be in the fight. I built a bond with those I served alongside. Leaving them wasn’t easy. Trying to get used to not carrying a weapon was difficult for a long time. Connecting with others has always been difficult after coming home. Every time was different and strange.

To say I didn't have a bit of anxiety is an understatement. I was so thankful for being alive that I wanted to kiss the ground in formation, but didn't of course. I was also concerned about reintegration with not only home life but society as well. Having to go from survival mode to blending in with citizens in the communit. I had to realize everyone was not a threat to my safety.

Glad to be back. Somewhat stressed, though. Took up drinking for awhile.

It felt I was out of place. So many changes to digest, but it felt good being home.

After coming home from Desert Storm, I had to figure out my place in the family unit. My wife and 2 daughters had their own routine and I had to adjust to them, not them to me. I had just moved the family to Germany before deploying, they started the life in Germany with me trying to catch up.

Glad to be home.. But I quickly found out most folks (Except Family) were not happy that I was home after being in Southeast Asia.