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I enlisted in 85 and entered service in 86. ETS'd in 92 after Desert Storm. Served in an Infantry unit that saw combat several times. When I got out, I put all the experiences in what I call my foot locker in the back of my brain and never discussed even serving until 5 years ago. When I brought all those memories front and center, it disrupted everything I know as life outside the military. Today I spend my time going to Vet Centers and trying to stow it back where I left it years ago. Curious if anyone is dealing with similar issues? Thanks for reading. Hooah
Posted >1 y ago
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Many of us put it in a box and avoid opening it ever again - sadly it's not always our choice when the lock pops open with 'hello' to everything we crammed into that box.
Work to find a way that is successful for you to alleviate the type of actions you've described. I've heard it said many times the service is just one huge dysfunctional family. We do the best to take care of our own.
Hang in there and reach out when you need to.
Work to find a way that is successful for you to alleviate the type of actions you've described. I've heard it said many times the service is just one huge dysfunctional family. We do the best to take care of our own.
Hang in there and reach out when you need to.
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CPL David Riopelle Spencer
Roger that Capt. Richard. I'm searching for more coping tools through the Vet Center and right here.
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CPT Richard Riley
Go to the Thread started by Col (Join to see) https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/resources-for-veterans-service-members
on the first page you'll find a section "***Veteran Crisis & Caring for the families of the fallen *** then toward the botton of the same page you'll find "*** PTSD & related issues ***
If you need additional on-line resources, send me a message and I'll do what I can.
on the first page you'll find a section "***Veteran Crisis & Caring for the families of the fallen *** then toward the botton of the same page you'll find "*** PTSD & related issues ***
If you need additional on-line resources, send me a message and I'll do what I can.
Best resources for Veterans & Service Members | RallyPoint
Without a doubt, there are truly some great resources available to active and Reserve component personnel and veterans. Of course, if folks don't know that they're out there, members and their families couldn't possibly benefit from some of these amazing offers and services. So, the idea here is to share those helpful tidbits of information, tips, links, lessons learned, processes, resources, wisdom and/or POCs to help members find the...
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I've been back from Afghanistan for 8 months now and I'm still surprised when something bothers me. Just yesterday I was having a conversation with a girl at the hotel front desk and telling her a few stories about working in the combat hospital and caught a massive lump in my throat. You forget a lot over even a pretty short period of time and it takes you by surprise when it pops back up. The dreams stop and you go on with your life, but boy are there triggers.
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PFC Robert Straw
I have been out of the army for 20 plus years and i still slip back into those days ,it sounds like your doing good .
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When you find the way to deal with it that works for you, then you wont have to try and keep it locked up. What can be hard at times is knowing that you only feel 100% at ease when your around others who were there. Call any time or drop by any time bro. My door is always open to my brothers.
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CPL David Riopelle Spencer
THANKS JOE!. In many ways I look up to you and a few others. We all have our problems and deal with them differently. thank you for the phone and home offer. Same is extended to you bro, you have another home in Dallas if you ever want to get away.
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Baggage like ours is hard to stow. What we've been through inevitably becomes part of us, our make up and our being, especially if we've been to a combat zone. Just like first responders, there is no expectation that we should put it all behind us. I've found that by embracing and leveraging some of it, Life can be easier. Seeking help outside the sphere of military influence has been rewarding for me. I too started at the Vet Center but when more civilian matters related to my experiences took precedence, I found a civilian counselor, who I've been with for 8 years now had a better way to "translate" what was happening. They are the person that taught me to use some of the bad mojo to move forward.
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CPL David Riopelle Spencer Though I do not have deployed combat baggage, my baggage train is full. I developed numerous ways to deal with my train before it derailed. If you need someone to listen to you, or if you want someone to talk with, feel free to message me and we can set up a call.
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SPC Kurt Weiland
David, we served in the same unit over there. I did the same as you, burying deep those feelings and driving on. I did well for 10 years or so I thought. Got a batchelors in 3 years another degree a few years later met and married my wife and had 3 daughters. Then one day my whole world exploded. The trigger was at work and it was the traumatic death of a 10 year old kid and I suddenly was back there remembering how I felt along with other 1/41Vets about the loss of so many of our Brothers. I was drinking heavily every day except my 2 work days. I didn't cope well with my family friends co workers. I fought at the drop of a hat, sheltered in place in my home and avoided all that I enjoyed. I was given an ultimatum by my wife and my chief at the FD days apart. I tried choking my captain at the dinner table in front of 13 other fire fighters and was well on my way when someone smarter than me pulled me away. And my relationship with my wife was spiraling out of control due to anger and aggression. The ultimatum... Get help now!! Or loose my job and my family. I was put in voluntarily to a week long lock down home where I tried several PTSD treatments and emptying of the proverbial bucket so it didn't over flow any more. To a small extent it worked. I quit drinking the day I arrived and almost 10 years later I haven't had a drop. However, I continued to suffer internally and I began shutting others out again. I did a 13 week treatment at the VA and it was great! I down loaded a great deal of trauma related issues and s doing the best I had in many years. I do continue group therapy monthly and well..... The meds too. It will never go away. Tough pill to swallow huh? I do think I am better off but I want back what I had and until I get that out of my head, I will feel lost somehow.
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CPL David Riopelle Spencer
Kurt, everything you've said hits the nail on the head. It seems my patients runs thin most of the time and gets worse as I age. I'm glad I'm not alone but unhappy its affected us all this way. Guess its par for the course for us. Serve and pay for it till we move to the next chapter. Just seems like I can't do much of anything right these days so I internalize it and it eats me up. Then it blows out of control, within reason. Thanks everyone for the responses. Much appreciated!!!
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Combat stress is dangerous when untreated. I have issues because of my four back to back deployments. I must see a psychologist each week. Like you I spent years putting my "feelings" in my ruck. Eventually, after 22 years with 4 years of deployments my support systems was gone. In my case, sleeping four hours a night going to pt at 4am each day and working to 6 or 8pm each night. Once all this full throttle lifestyle stopped I had to face my "feelings". My wife got fed up with my fighting in my sleep and angry out bursts I had to deal with things. Thanks for your service brother. SSG RET
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CPL David Riopelle Spencer Just checking back to see how things are going and if you've managed to find some solutions that work for you.
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CPL David Riopelle Spencer
Not really but thanks for checking in. Just finished going through the WRIISC in DC. Hopeful something good will come of it. Probably need to switch my anti dep as well.
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CPT Richard Riley
Keep in touch and keep positive. We will help pull some weight with you if need be, just hang in there.
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