Do you miss the military?

Honestly, no. I don't miss it. I miss the people I met. I miss the opportunity to learn new skills. I miss the opportunity to visit new places.

But everything else ruined it. I don't feel like I sacrificed. I don't even feel like I served. I'm markedly less impressed with my government and more wary of its actions at home and abroad. It was a 2.5 year field trip to Korea, most expenses paid. I would consider it a waste of my life had I done something better with my life since I've gotten out, but truth be told, I haven't.

I won't even bring up the ARNG.

Rewind the clock, I would do it again. But I wouldn't re-enlist now unless maybe we as a nation were attacked by someone other than our own police force. Only maybe.

I retired. I only been out 2.5 year and I still miss it. Yes I would go back now if I could.

Every day of my life. One doesn't spend over 20yrs doing something to just let it go.

Its not every day, it's not every week.. but something will trigger a memory.
Today on my FB feed there was a VA Vet of the day or something, a Marine Pilot that went down in a part of Iraq I was in and knew intimately.

I just spent the last 4 hours looking at pics and files, reports and lists, documents and memorial flyers, receipts for flowers sent to family..

I miss the days like when my commander and I took on rebuilding a school house the Taliban had destroyed... They killed the teacher and tore the school house down the next week.... we killed um back and built the school again.

I dont miss most of it..... Do it all again..? Id still be doing it were it not for my Family I chose over AWG.

Maybe not every day...I cannot remember that I didn't miss being in uniform but there might be a day I didn't miss serving.

Yeah I miss it, but like prison I did my time lol. I like being a "Veteran" because I have a bigger choice to speak on behalf of our brethren.

I served for 29 years, including 2 ROTC cadet years, 9 years on active duty and 18 years on reserve duty (with 3 in the IRR). I miss time spent mentoring and developing younger troops and younger officers, time working with seasoned NCOs and most two week and above exercises. I volunteer with the National Guard now for Civil Emergencies and help to develop improved Service Member/Employer relations with ESGR. Once a Soldier, always a Soldier.

Interesting.. I did what was asked of me.. Things I wish I could do over again ? or do again, and do it better ?.. NO.. If I had done things differently I might have become one of the 500,000 Marines in country, Vietnam.. I might have a chest full of awards ! who knows.. I could also be a name on the Vietnam Memorial Wall, I probably would have NOT met my wife, meaning that I would not have two children, and three grandchildren.. At 19 years, I was Honored to have served in our military, I did the best that I could for a 19 year old, and in return, I was awarded an Honorable discharge, and for this I too have some Pride.. even for a sea going bellhop..... I received .. quickly, and accurately relayed secure information in support of our Army and our Marines.. During the MediVac of the 5th MarDiv, I might have even saved a Marines life.. That being said, I would NOT change a thing.. Thanks to All.. Mike

It's the only job, I have ever truly enjoyed. I may not have liked certain commands, but, I knew those would change every few years. I miss my time in service every day.

I miss it terribly. It has now been 14 years, but I think about it daily. I miss the closeness, being at sea, visiting foreign ports. It's just is not the same as a civilian. Once you go home for the day or weekend, that's it, there is not connectivity. I don't see or hear from any of my old shipmates, but I still consider them friends for life.