14
14
0
ETS/EAS
Service
Responses: 84
14
14
0
I don't miss the nonsense that I had to deal with at times, but I do miss the people I served with.
(14)
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1LT(P) Ryan Plummer
I miss being able to talk about anything. It's just awkward when these college kids ask questions about combat. I never had a problem talking about it until then. They have absolutely NO idea what I went through leading up to, and following those experiences. That, and civilians get butthurt WAY too easy.
(3)
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12
12
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PO3 Michael James
Day one: I can remember someone in my face. WHY ?. What am I doing here ? .. Send me home.. After "basic", I went home, leave.. In-Uniform !! Proud to ware it !! Right??. Treated like used garbage.. Spat on, Called nasty cruel names.. Well, that was the last time I wore a uniform in travel.. (few did).. After 4 yrs., I was asked to re-up.. with a Re-enlist. Bonus .. I said What ?, Please, No thanks.. After another 2 years I realized just how proud I was for serving this country.. What an honor to serve the people of this country, and today I am equally reminded of this honor.. The people.. Just why I joined Rally Point.. Contact with Real Americans.. True Americans.. Americas Heroes.. Thanks to all of you...
(5)
(0)
SPC Mark Beard
Brother Michael thank you for your service welcome home!!sgt at arms American legion post 217 college park md
(2)
(0)
GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
Earlier in my post-military career, I worked (as a civilian) at Headquarters, Marine Corps in Arlington, VA. It was not a good experience. I was "just" a civilian and was treated as such --- little consideration was given to the fact that I was a retired Marine. In fact, it was so bad that, for quite awhile after leaving there, I questioned the whole "once a Marine, always a Marine" concept. I understand that things have gotten better for civilian employees since then but I, for one, would not put myself back in that situation. I would, however, go back on active duty in a heart beat!!!
(3)
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9
9
0
Hmm, loaded question. I retired 9 days ago, and yes I do miss it. It's one of the reasons why I love RallyPoint. Being able to stay in contact, albeit digitally, with brothers and sisters scattered around the world, brings comfort to many of us. I have to admit it makes me nervous being a civilian again after 23 years but I know I have the support of others who have gone before me or are still in. If I could, I would definitely still be in but I'll keep the end of that comment to myself. The ones who know me and know the truth will know exactly what I'm referring to.
(9)
(0)
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
Hey I appreciate your Service, I am next and pretty sure I will be feeling the same.
(1)
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Maj Mike Sciales
You'll be just fine. It takes about 6 months to fully decompress. It's pretty normal to miss a routine, but there is a freedom to lingering over a second cup of coffee that is hard to define. You will always miss the camaraderie.
(2)
(0)
7
7
0
I miss being around people that "get it." I miss the family or brother/sisterhood that we create no matter where we go. I was fortunate to be surrounded by amazing people with a great mission everywhere I was sent, where people had goals, drive, leadership, innovation, camderaderie. I can talk to any vet and find some connection. Not so the civilians. I also willingly worked however many hours it took. When I got a civilian job and they quibbled over a 2 minute early punch time in and a 2 minute late time out because I gave my all and some days it took a few minutes longer, I was in disbelief. Punch a clock; doesn't matter how hard your work or how much you get accomplished, just that you were there for exactly the time of your shift.
(7)
(0)
CMSgt Blaine Means
I do miss the camaraderie, but I still have a close connection with all of my military friends and co-workers. If I were to take a road trip across the United States I would not have to use any hotels because of my past buddies, not that I would do that, not my style.
(2)
(0)
6
6
0
I retired in 2006 and I can honestly say that I miss the camaraderie and the people. Aside from that I do believe that it was my time and I have no regrets about retiring when I did.
(6)
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(2)
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MSgt (Join to see)
I retired in 2004 and miss it all. My one regret is I wish I would have stayed active instead of going reserve. I especially miss the influence I had on the younger troops. You felt like you accomplished something when they look to you for advice and mentoring. But I do have to admit there was a lot of BS.
(2)
(0)
SCPO David Lockwood
MSst Borders, is there anything that you don't miss? I to miss the camaraderie and all the great people who have that go get it attitude. But I don't miss the BS and being held accountable of things I have no control over i.e. individual sailors behavior while on liberty.
(0)
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5
5
0
I've written this before here on RallyPoint, Cpl Clinton Britt, but I don't miss the military. And that's because I continued to work for the Army as a DA civilian after retirement. I'm still "soldiering on" as a civilian, and I love it. It's essentially the best of both worlds: I still work for an Army organization, but I don't have to put up with the military BS.
(5)
(0)
5
5
0
Cpl Clinton Britt My friend told me that his dad has the best name plaque on his desk, "Retired Airborne Ranger = Old Civilian".
(5)
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Cpl Clinton Britt
A Elder CSM once told me that once we all retire we have first names as well. I still call him SM Earl
(1)
(0)
5
5
0
SGT Mitch McKinley more than I should. All the things they tell you like "starting the next chapter of your life" "be proud of our service" etc. etc. is true but if you are still in mourning 10 years later, I fear for myself. It has been a rough 4 years for me. I have a tattoo of an M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle on my arm. I got to 18.5 years and them BOOM......all finished. RallyPoint is great therapy for me. I try to keep it light and as supportive as I can for those who are still serving and inspire veterans to hold their head high, but inside.......
I tried being an Olympic contender for drinking whiskey and that was not the way to go. I finally went to the residential (INPATIENT) PTSD VA hospital in Menlo Park, CA for 4 months and learned how to grieve properly (among many other things). I'll scream it from the rooftops."I WAS A MESS AND NEEDED HELP!!!!" Stay in touch, brother. You are NEVER alone and maybe we can help each ther figure this out.
I tried being an Olympic contender for drinking whiskey and that was not the way to go. I finally went to the residential (INPATIENT) PTSD VA hospital in Menlo Park, CA for 4 months and learned how to grieve properly (among many other things). I'll scream it from the rooftops."I WAS A MESS AND NEEDED HELP!!!!" Stay in touch, brother. You are NEVER alone and maybe we can help each ther figure this out.
(5)
(0)
4
4
0
More as I am getting older.
We were soldiers once, and young.
We were soldiers once, and young.
(4)
(0)
4
4
0
I do miss the people. But as a contractor, got the same camaraderie without the drama.
(4)
(0)
PO2 John Crutchfield
I definitely understand. I worked previously for a joint-command as a contractor. The interaction between the contractors was ideal. Plus, was able to work with the military to support the missions.
(0)
(0)
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