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

Honestly, everytime I returned home from war or a long deployment I had many mixed emotions. There was so much unknown out there before social media. During Desert Shield/Desert Storm I left my newly married, pregnant wife and never knew if I would return or be able to see her again or be able to hold our new baby. We spoke one time on a MARS radio call and had to end each statement with, "OVER." I wrote whenever I could and used the cardboard package from the MREs as a postcard. When I finally did come home it was truly overwhelming. I felt stronger, better prepared and more thankful than I have ever felt in my entire life. I really felt that I was, "10 foot tall and bulletproof." Everything I did upon return was like I was doing it for the very 1st time. Still thankful to this day that I got to serve my country and return back to it safely. God Bless America!

I was embarrassed how the people treated us when we came home. even my own family

I was so happy to see everyone and hug them. I was worried that my children wouldn't remember me or want to be around me. I was worried that they moved on with parts of their life's and I was not involved. They had their routines and I was not included any more.

I came home expecting to return to the job that I had left when I responded to this Country's call. I was promised the job would be held for me by my father. The job was mine by the GI Bill. When I attempted to go to work my father said "I don't want you". I felt as if I had been kicked in the gut It was a case of someone spreading false gossip.

I had 2 long deployments, during my years in the Reserves (to Saudi Arabia and Germany), and I can only describe it as a feeling of joy and elation to be back with those I love. Someone took pictures of me with family and friends when I got off the plane, and I think the look on our faces says it all. Getting back into the groove of work was an adjustment, but family issues (as a single mother) was, no doubt, the biggest challenge. My son was 7yrs old, when I left the first time, and a high school senior the next time. It wasn't easy. Took some therapy and re-grouping. I missed some important time in my son's life, we would never get back. So, there's definitely sacrifices to yourself, as well as your family.

I call my deployment to Afghanistan in 2014 my forgotten year. Although I was based out of Bagram Airfield, had access to WiFi, and lived a relatively comfortable life I missed out on a lot of the popular culture happening in the United States; I either missed it or realized it doesn't matter as much with all of the other priorities a deployment brings to the forefront of your daily life. When people bring up popular culture topics from that year I more often than not say "I don't remember that." Most importantly, it was difficult to get accustomed as quickly as I expected to driving, paying bills, cooking, etc. after not having to worry about daily domestic duties for so long. Most everything comes back with time but some things are changed forever.

Deployment is a strong word to use for what we did. Being in immediately post Desert Storm was a benefit then, plus I was on a submarine tender that really didn't go anywhere. Still, when you're used to getting off the ship and going to your own bed, three months of living onboard in a cramped female supply berthing is crap. Coming back to home port was always a relief. There's never any place lice home.

Overjoyed at first. But protestors calling us baby killers took that away quickly. I couldn't wait to get out of that uniform. It took several weeks to get use to loud noises. I almost hit the deck one day in town when the noon time siren went off.

Relieved, mostly. Deployed from an overseas assignment and returned there. Didn't come back for years after that. My family did not support my choice to enlist. I was also unattached, so it was all kind of weird. Nothing compared to what so many here endured. It was sad to read these stories of sacrifice in light of the (very selfish) behavior of current politicians and younger generations, who appear to have completely forgotten or have never learned what our country stands for. Our country has become a very sad place.

I returned to the US from Vietnam in late 1968 and was out of the Army the following July. I had wanted to stay in the service but because of a medical profile I wasn’t allowed to reap.
After returning to my home in Canada, I had a period of over eleven years tgat I remember very little. I drank too much had recurring nightmares, and completely shied away from former friends and relatives.
I only have bits and pieces of my memory from those years.
I got married the day after getting g hut of the hospital in Valley Forge PA, as I was being reassigned.
I had no problems while in the service, it was all after I left the warmth of fellow Veterans my problems began. Finally in 1981 I was able to at last land a great job and things started getting much better for me my wife and three children.
My wife was the pillar that kept our family together and kept me from doing something terribly bad. Suicide.
PTSD is a destroyer. It is something most combat veterans will have for their lifetime w, but it is something one can control.
The VA took me into their arms and got me back to a better life. One that I can tolerate. So make tgat call to the VA if you are having problems with what could be PTSD or other problems from wounds tgat don’t get a Purple Heart.