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

I deployed a lot in the Marine Corps, I was on the Med in 79 when the embassy got attacked in IRAN, and China was doing some shit in Vietnam, we didn't know where we were going. I was home on leave when I came back, you could not even talk to me, I was so mentally ready to go to Iran. Fast Forward to 2004: I was in National Guard, deployed to Iraq, was gone about avg 15 months. Came home, went through what a lot of what you all did. Couldn't sleep, unless I was drunk, blah, blah. Deployed 2 more times in Guard, Kuwait, last one Afghanistan 2012. Every time I came home, there was less and less I wanted to do, like mow the lawn, and stuff like that. The one thing that always brought me home was my kids. One time I was at a gas station, inside the store there was some kind of thing I never saw before, I stood there for a couple of minutes playing with it, was amazed how it worked. Showed how much I missed being gone, how modern technology advanced. It was something that simple that people take advantage of. People don't realize how good they got it in this country until you been overseas.

Back in 1979 when the America went to Europe for six months and came back I had no idea that we would be missed. Once we arrived back home to VA and moored to Pier 12, a co worker asked me to come up to the cat walk to see the people on the pier. I didn't think anything about it so I followed him up to the catwalk and I was overwhelmed, all the people on the pier. I never seen that many people on the pier, I got so emotional. It was hard keeping the tears back. That was a fantastic greeting.

For me, I felt alienated. When I left from Afghanistan back to New York City, I realized alot has changed since I left. My family never really asked me about it while I was home, which I was grateful for, but at the same time, it made me feel like they didn't even care. My friends either got lost in the wind or those who stuck around asked me the typical questions you all probably know by now. It was annoying having to explain myself alot about what happened that eventually I stopped talking about it. It got frustrating when I try not to include anything service related to someone and one of my friends blurts out "he's a trained killer" and now that same person is looking at me like I just grew another head. On the other side, it made me greatful for the little things many of us take advantage of. Like watching the sun rise and set, having a hot meal/shower, being able to have a moment of peace to yourself sometimes. I hope I'm not rambling on....
I did feel like a part of myself died out there and nothing felt truly the same since. These days, I'm just tired of people and society as a whole. That's the best way I can put it. Maybe some of you feel the same. Some not.

After my 2nd tour, as we were gaining altitude from Tan Son Nhut VC/NVA started dropping in mortars. Freedom Bird pilot announced it and circled the base as we all watched out the windows, reminding us what we were leaving. Mixed feelings. Glad to have escaped once again but deeply sad that we were flying over guys who were and would be getting hurt and killed. Lot of survivors guilt then - and still, 52 years later. Meds diminish it, but VA counselors say some just have to live with it.

I was an Air Traffic Controls in Vietnam. Though there for a year, I saw very little combat. Came home to McCord AFB with my parents and cousin to greet me. I felt relieved. Came home from Desert Storm to SEATAC . Meet by wife and 2 daughters and about 20 others. It felt good to be home, but guilty because I came back a month before my unit. My father was hospitalized, but lived another year. Relieved from Vietnam-- Guilty from Dessert Storm!

I felt extremely ignored and unappreciated I felt like Americans were ungrateful for everything that they have and it made I felt like Americans were ungrateful for everything that they have and It made me feel bitter! On our arrival home there was no celebration no 1 there to greet us and then we did not receive any kind of help transitioning back to civilian life. This eventually led to severe depression.... I distracted myself as much as possible by going to college and over working, but now that I am older and not as busy I struggle with PTSD symptoms as well! I served in Operation Enduring Freedom from January 2002-November 2002 and I lived in a tent the entire tour!

Great question. I've found a productive outlet for many things about that time, among others.
This is what I wrote about how I felt coming home from my first formal deployment,
WESTPAC '06.
If you like what you read, I've written a lot more. Started an Instagram: @vetamygdala
Thank you. Thank you all for your bravery.

I have returned from both many times and for a time after getting home all i felt was a little out of place . Like i wasn't where is needed to be or should be . but it passes .

Like everything at home was utterly trivial.

I returned to a 1st Cav unit at Ft Hood, after 8mos I got out only to be bored and alone.. I went home to my parents, as I wasn't married.. again, bored.. after 2yrs combat, boredom came easy. sleep along with no weapon.. very insecure for several yrs.. still life in the states was boring ... seeking something less boring got me into trouble.. 45yrs and 3 wives later, not so bored most of the time.. there are still times I actually miss my Brothers and the adrenaline rush of staying alive..