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

I was pretty nervous coming home but so enjoyed being able to have freedom once again

Weary of the troubles in the world, but brightened by those I love.

Relief that I made it back, but also very uncertain of the future and what I should be doing with my life (Reservist).

Coming home from a deployment always felt sort of surreal. For me it always felt like time stopped back home (even though I know it didn't) and things should be exactly how I left them. This of course was not always the case. I had to compartmentalize that people grew, family changed, and aspects of the life I left had altered one way or the other.

after 10 yrs, 2 overseas tours, I felt it was time to go home. When I got there & knocked on my parents door, my dad answered, His first words were, What the F%#k do you want. Nothing was my response & went about transitioning back into civilian life. It took another 8 yrs to do so, That's when I decided to start my own business in another state. I'm still doing it, Electrical Contractor. My family turned into people you don't want to know, My friends and fellow Veterans have been my family & I'm enjoying life.

It was a difficult time. I had grown so accustomed to mortar attacks any loud sounds and I was reaching for my cavalier and body armor. It took some time to acclimate back to civilian life. Honestly left me longing for the excitement of it all. Sounds crazy I know. Truly missed the soldiers I deployed with because it felt like no one understood me. I struggled with loneliness alot.

I was happy and blessed to come back alive. I wanted to stop once I got off the plane and kiss the ground!

Coming home was good and bad. You slowed down but at the same time you had all the normal day to day things you have to do. When you were deployed you did your job ate worked out and tried to sleep. Being home you did all that plus taking care of your house car , paying bills, getting groceries ECT,ECT. I was always ready to go back after a month of being home. Always missed the RUSH.

I was in a coma for a month at Walter Reed. Missing half my skull and a section of my brain. I had no idea what was going on for several months. Once the gravity of what happened to me sank in, it took several years to accept this is who I was permanently. I was fortunate to have a very supportive environment but felt very disconnected from my own unit in the end. Years of recovery in hospitals and constant medical issues even now 18 years later, though I do feel very appreciated, and am very thankful for that, it is a lonely experience.

I was lost! I was lost! a lot of my memory is due to a head injury! I did not know my friends or family anymore. I was mad and bothered by the fact I was now a disabled veteran. I drank too much, yelled a lot, and eventually came to terms with it all. After a few months I was awarded social security and after a few years the VA believed I had PTSD, it did take five tries!!! I eventually decided to go to college and that was tough because I stuck it out. I also started working online at Vets Prevail talking to people like me, after I went through their program! Vets Prevail helped me understand I was not the only one out here lost, I thank them for that! I did get most of my memory back. I did have a Stroke because Walter Read never gave anyone a CAT scan, so I lost a little more memory, but I got back what I needed. Do you know what, I am glad for the second memory loss because for me it was a fresh start on a third life, I could do a better job this time and not take anything for granted. To me every new day is a gift from God! ; ) Amen