Does Anyone Else Have Recurring Dreams About Being Back In the Military?

2016-03-19T08:13:36-04:00

I retired from the Army with 24 years of service back in late 2011. In the last 3 years, I have had dreams that I had to go back in the Military and I am now unable to keep up with the young troops and all the changes to the equipment and gear. The dreams are unsettling and very real to me. I know they are not about having an unsettled life that needs structure again, as I have an excellent job and great post-military career. I am finally settled in one spot and am very happy, so it can’t be an unhappy thing. Anyone else have these dreams?

Response by MSgt Lionel (Leo) Rondeau made Mar 19 at 2016 8:29 AM

2016-03-19T08:29:16-04:00

MSG Anthony DiFondi I have those as well. Most of the time it is that I am trying to retire (again) and get back to my regular life. They are strange to say the least.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 19 at 2016 9:01 AM

2016-03-19T09:01:31-04:00

Yep! Had one about a week ago. Damned if I know why. Great Job and Great Fun for 21 years but pretty sure I wouldn't want to do it again and I suspect the Dream was a Reality Check and brought back some of the not so nice aspects and memories.

Response by TSgt David L. made Mar 19 at 2016 9:06 AM

2016-03-19T09:06:17-04:00

Yep. All the time. It's all about the job though. I'm keeping up even though I medically retired. It has been since 2009. Doesn't seem to be bad except when I dream about being back in Iraq. I hope it gets better for you as time passes MSG Anthony DiFondi.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2016 9:18 AM

2016-03-19T09:18:50-04:00

My weird dreams were in 1962, in the 8th grade, living in Lynn Haven, FL. I dreamed several times that I parachuted into Cuba, to organise freedom fighters. I had an M-1 carbine and pineapple grenades. When we were not playing sports, after we cut the grass on Saturdays, it was pinecones and bb gun battles. If only paintball guns had been invented!

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Mar 19 at 2016 10:05 AM

2016-03-19T10:05:05-04:00

MSG Anthony DiFondi, oddly enough I have. Not very often but I do have them. Mostly it's about being back in my old units with the Airmen I was stationed with. I think it's most likely because I still miss the camaraderie and sense of purpose I had then.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2016 10:44 AM

2016-03-19T10:44:12-04:00

A lot of times dreams incorporate things that happened to you during the day. Have you noticed these dreams occurring after long Rally Point sessions?

Response by TSgt Dawn Premock made Mar 19 at 2016 1:06 PM

2016-03-19T13:06:08-04:00

I've had dreams of fighting to stay in until I reach my 20 years. I was medically retired just shy of 18 years. I wanted to do 20.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Mar 19 at 2016 1:24 PM

2016-03-19T13:24:13-04:00

Once in a while i do. Usually involves two of my Navy buddy's, we've known each other for over 30 yrs now. We're always in some weird, off the wall, crazy situation. Nothing that's scary or life threatening though.

I take it as a sign to get together and hang out, go camping or something. Luckily we all live within a couple hours of each other.

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Mar 19 at 2016 3:22 PM

2016-03-19T15:22:29-04:00

I have been out for over 40 years and still have dreams. Nothing major for i was maintenance and later a First Sgt. The dream that I have most is that I got to inspect the barracks, that it has been weeks since my last inspection.

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Mar 19 at 2016 3:31 PM

2016-03-19T15:31:44-04:00

My dad was a WW2 vet and was rated 100% disable. He still had metal in him from where he was hit in 1944 and he passed away in 1995. He dreamed about that war every night. He would get up in the morning and comment that he fought that war again. And I hardly know anything about what he went through, he just didn't talk. I had uncles the same way. That has got to be awful.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Mar 19 at 2016 9:44 PM

2016-03-19T21:44:05-04:00

I sure do. In most cases, I am coming back as a retiree recall and deploying. I also have recurring dreams that I returned to my last civilian job I had before starting to work with Cadet Command as a contractor. So I am not sure why I have them. While I would deploy in heartbeat if I had the opportunity, I never wanted to go back to that other civilian job.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2016 12:32 AM

2016-03-20T00:32:21-04:00

Yes, I have had a few weird ones. I was reporting in for duty, I had my service dress jacket and blue shirt and tie. But my pants and boots were ABU (Air Force camo). And nobody said anything.

Response by PO1 Ronald Schmiegelt made Mar 20 at 2016 2:18 AM

2016-03-20T02:18:36-04:00

I've had many of those too. Usually they involve something that never happened. They did include the people I was stationed with back then as well as the equipment we had. They are usually pretty strange.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Mar 20 at 2016 2:32 AM

2016-03-20T02:32:18-04:00

I'm usually out on patrol a few nights every month. I've gone from killing someone to trying to find my equipment, getting things together, all sorts of crazy stuff. In the last few years it's slacked off a bit and mostly comes if I've talked to someone for a while, watched a movie or such. I guess I just learn to deal with it.

Response by SSG James Elmore made Mar 20 at 2016 6:53 AM

2016-03-20T06:53:37-04:00

I was on a BMM detail doing gate guard and my wife kept telling me that I was mumbling the welcome praise to the base I was on at the time, in my sleep… I would call it more of a nightmare because it was a BCT/AIT post and on family day/ graduation day I had to say at around 700 times an hour!!!!

Response by MSG James Crowell made Mar 20 at 2016 9:34 AM

2016-03-20T09:34:02-04:00

i still get up at 0430 hr and get every thing done and ready as i will need for the hold day as i did in the Army and i been out for now going on 16 years

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Mar 21 at 2016 10:05 AM

2016-03-21T10:05:32-04:00

Quite a bit. Sometimes back on active duty, and others I am a civ in the unit.
I loved the dream where a fellow retired friend of mine put me on the OOD duty roster. The BN SgtMaj made me stand it even though I was retired.

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Mar 21 at 2016 10:39 AM

2016-03-21T10:39:40-04:00

Formation dreams, PT dreams, and deployment dreams. The every day stuff is what I dream about.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2016 12:42 PM

2016-03-21T12:42:18-04:00

Dreams and Daydreams

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2016 7:40 AM

2016-03-22T07:40:12-04:00

MSG Anthony DiFondi I put in my paperwork in 2009, and got my retirement paperwork back in 2011, after 38 years. Yes, I occasionally have military dreams (about once a month.) When I turned 60, and transferred to the Retired Reserve, they started up again.

Mine are almost never bad. Either they are from when I was young enough to do things, or they are senior sergeant's business which I could still do. Often I'm briefing someone on the intelligence preparation of the battlefield.

I had an extremely successful military career, from having MOSs in 5 main career fields, being a Master Parachutist, an Instructor, to legally impersonating a Russian Major as part of a overseas train-up. My guess is that my dreams are just telling me that I miss what was a very satisfying career.

Response by TSgt Pennie Snyder made Mar 22 at 2016 7:44 AM

2016-03-22T07:44:00-04:00

I've been retired from the Air Force for 18 years. I served for 20 years. Since I retired I often have dreams about being in the military again. I dream of struggling to understand the changes that have been made since I retired and what I consider a lack of other people being able or willing to do their jobs. Not sure why I still have these dreams. Often the dreams are a mixture of military service and my job after service (I worked for an employment agency) where it seemed that people really didn't want work. Anyway, my point is I think it's natural to dream of things that mean a lot about who you are. I'm happier now than I have been at any point in my life. I have my own jewelry business and I don't work for corporate America or the government anymore so I think the dreams are just part of who we are as veterans.

Response by SCPO Don Baker made Mar 22 at 2016 7:49 AM

2016-03-22T07:49:32-04:00

Quite a few. Normally good times (liberty) or how I would have done something a little better.

Response by 1SG Harold Piet made Mar 22 at 2016 8:16 AM

2016-03-22T08:16:05-04:00

Welcome to the afterlife. I have talked to VA dr and he finally gave me Trazadone, in a small dose, when my dreams bother me it helps. I do not use it all the time but when the dreams persist and I become to active it releases me back to the retired world. I retired in 1995.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Mar 22 at 2016 8:18 AM

2016-03-22T08:18:26-04:00

Sure do MSG Anthony DiFondi, although they come and go.

For me, it tends to be a stress thing -- when real life gets stressful enough, I find myself back in uniform in my dreams, racing to make a movement or operation because I had been missing some piece of equipment.

Ironically, just before my first trip to Iraq, I dreamt that I was ready to go in a fortified compound somewhere by a river, calmly watching incoming mortar rounds light up the night.

Response by PO1 Kyle Crippen made Mar 22 at 2016 8:26 AM

2016-03-22T08:26:54-04:00

I've been retired eight years, I have one reoccurring dream every night, but it is actually a memory. I just deal with that one, but I do have normal dreams about being back in, they normally have occurred after something jog an old memory.

Response by SPC Johnny Dagenhart made Mar 22 at 2016 8:32 AM

2016-03-22T08:32:36-04:00

Yes. I was drafted in 1972. At that time draftees served 2 years. I got out a couple of months early in 1974. I had dreams for a long time that they came back to me and said they had made a mistake and I had to come back and serve those last two months. This lasted for many years.

Response by A1C Melissa Jackson made Mar 22 at 2016 8:36 AM

2016-03-22T08:36:53-04:00

Yes, I do.
Sometimes they are dreams that center around going back because we are at war- and sometimes they involve things that happened.

Response by MSG Tim Donahue, M.Ed. made Mar 22 at 2016 8:42 AM

2016-03-22T08:42:16-04:00

I do dream about having to go back in for whatever reason. Most of the time I am yelling at people because they don't know or don't care that I am a Master Sergeant. Plus I have been having dreams about going back into the Infantry - only spent my first four years as an Infantryman.

Response by SPC Johnny Dagenhart made Mar 22 at 2016 8:42 AM

2016-03-22T08:42:46-04:00

I was drafted in 1972 while I was still in college (long story). Got out early in 1974. Had dreams for years that they came back to me and said they had made a mistake letting me out early and I had to come back and serve those last two months. I have to say that after going through all that way back then I have a great admiration for professional military people.

Response by SGT Larry Holland made Mar 22 at 2016 8:52 AM

2016-03-22T08:52:42-04:00

Me too. I even talked with a recruiter about it. He said that I would have to go back to basic. It maybe worth it.

Response by SSG Rick Robbins made Mar 22 at 2016 9:10 AM

2016-03-22T09:10:46-04:00

morning MSG, I am SSG "Doc Robbins", Retired. I am a civilian Medic and both On the green side and civilian side I have seen this many time. What you are experiencing is PTSD and you have probably heard that many times before. I am a Certfied Clinical Specialist in PTSD, I have studied this because so many people I know have this. There are things that can be done to help lighten this load tremendously. Procedure like Brain targeting, Rapid Eye Movement redistributing. This sound complicated but they are not and do not hurt. Some folks do like drugs but sometimes they are needed. Veterans have suicide rates of one every 22 a day and that are the ones recognized at suicides. It may not be to that point and you tell yourself that, but those 22 others a day never considered it in the beginning. The VA is extremely focused on this situation and help should be free and is considered a disability. I was a Army Combat Medic, and for Six years I waa a Navy Corpsman so you know I am not going to steer you wrong. You and the rest of those reading this need to get help, if not from the VA, somewhere. What may seem like a minor irritation now can move to a major problem quickly. HOOAH!!

Response by CPL James Zielinski made Mar 22 at 2016 9:17 AM

2016-03-22T09:17:44-04:00

You're not alone with that. The imprinting that you get with your induction is pretty indelible. I wouldn't worry about it. I just wish i could pass my PT tests.

Response by MAJ Pat Rimron made Mar 22 at 2016 9:21 AM

2016-03-22T09:21:02-04:00

Yes, it usually pre-deployment or pre Ranger School and I can't remember how to use any of the equipment. Unsettling....

Response by Cpl Thomas Mcdonough made Mar 22 at 2016 9:27 AM

2016-03-22T09:27:59-04:00

Take 200 mil.seraqule you wont dream.

Response by Sgt Michael Johnson made Mar 22 at 2016 9:31 AM

2016-03-22T09:31:31-04:00

Yes, I have dreams of all sorts. For some reason, the hurry up and wait ones are the worst. Had a dream last night, which seemed to last all night. The dreams mess up my day some times. I've been out for over twenty years.

Response by Sgt Able Snider made Mar 22 at 2016 9:36 AM

2016-03-22T09:36:57-04:00

Rather frequently....

Response by PFC Donnie Harold Harris made Mar 22 at 2016 9:37 AM

2016-03-22T09:37:30-04:00

I have nightmare type dreams and I was never in a shooting combat action. They occur during VA visits. Which I have 3 visits in 1 week. I am usually unable to move while asleep. Hang in there. You are not alone.

Response by TSgt Daniel Wareham made Mar 22 at 2016 9:50 AM

2016-03-22T09:50:23-04:00

You are not the only one. I have them all the time. That I'm back on the line, doing my job. My wife says that she thinks it's because that is when I was the happiest in my work, despite the long hours, working in the weather, the pressure, etc.

I tend to agree with her.

Response by CPO Joseph Stabley made Mar 22 at 2016 9:53 AM

2016-03-22T09:53:42-04:00

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one having these weird dreams. Mine often involve being recalled to active duty because of some major emergency or catastrophe. In the dreams I'm actively involved in rescue missions or in the middle of a major storm or event. I am sometimes wondering how I am able to keep up because I know I've aged and am not in the best physical condition. The best part is always seeing old friends and shipmates and feeling like I'm a part of something meaningful.

Response by PO1 Brian Carlson made Mar 22 at 2016 10:18 AM

2016-03-22T10:18:00-04:00

I've been retired for 15 years and I still have recurring dreams about the navy. Sometimes I am out of uniform and this Chief I worked for is asking me why I do not have a uniform. I have no answer for why I do not have a uniform. In my dreams I go to different duty stations that I have never been to in real life. I thought I was the only one who had dreams about my military service.

Some times my dreams are very violent. I think that is because of the drugs I'm taking for Parkinson's disease. I scream and wave my fists in the air and fall out of bed. The VA gave me Clorazapan, but it did nothing for me.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2016 10:24 AM

2016-03-22T10:24:34-04:00

I've been retired 16 years and still do. Usually I'm out of uniform or late or something else. I think they're pretty entertaining.

Response by PO1 Raymond Sauter made Mar 22 at 2016 10:24 AM

2016-03-22T10:24:54-04:00

Hmmm...I've been out since 1991 after two hitches and still have dreams once in a while about going back in to finish up my "20" for retirement, Being back on a ship deployed on a WESTPAC cruise, Looking frantically for my dress blue jumper top or badly needing a haircut and hoping no one notices! I think my favorite is being out in town and wondering if maybe I forgot about having the "Duty" that day and was I on the watch bill? I will typically wake up nervously from those dreams, remember where I am, laugh about it, think "KISS MY ASS CHIEF!", roll over and go back to sleep! LOL

But then again, every once in a while I have this weird dream about being back in High School working towards my diploma but then it dawns on me "Wait a minute! I have a bachelor's degree and I am over 50! What the hell am I doing sitting in this classroom with all these kids?

Response by SFC Joseph Petroni made Mar 22 at 2016 10:27 AM

2016-03-22T10:27:03-04:00

Yes, and occurring much more frequently. They run the gambit from garrison operations to special duty, to combat ops. In almost every case, there is an element that is disconcerting. For example, I dreamt that I was detained by North Koreans. In another example, I was back in Iraq, without my rifle. Sometimes, I suspect it is from a sense of loss from missing my brother and sisters in uniform. Other times, like the North Korean example, I suspect it is a feeling of entrapment (same job, every day), while when I served my duties or station would often change. I can't speak for everyone, but for me the military was a great part of my life and I visit over and over on many nights...

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2016 10:30 AM

2016-03-22T10:30:06-04:00

And I saw someone mention PTSD. I think mine is more related to civilian life-induced PTSD. LOL

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Mar 22 at 2016 10:31 AM

2016-03-22T10:31:15-04:00

I still have dreams about being late for a test in school.....at least I'm not dreaming about showing up naked anymore..... ;o)

Response by Sgt Ronnie Mack made Mar 22 at 2016 10:32 AM

2016-03-22T10:32:33-04:00

Recurring dreams? No. Thoughts about it every single day, HELL YES!

Response by SCPO Bill Milani made Mar 22 at 2016 10:33 AM

2016-03-22T10:33:10-04:00

I also have dreams of being back in the service. I attribute these dreams to missing the service.

Response by SSG Don Maggart made Mar 22 at 2016 10:35 AM

2016-03-22T10:35:23-04:00

Always it was a good point and bad from when I was 17 to 29 Born on a Military Base raised in War by a LRRP Father forbidden to follow in his footsteps only to do so and lose him so young just coming to the realization of what the stories meant about Honor and Leadership and Command Ability. Authority is one thing I can authorize my dog to take out the trash but if the trash doesn't get taken out it's on me...laffs .it is up to us to pass this along Lean into It and Raise the next generation of War Fighters better than we ever imagined... They have the KSA and the Spirit...

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2016 10:36 AM

2016-03-22T10:36:54-04:00

funny you should ask, I have been having more dreams over the last 2 years than I've had since getting out 40 years ago. Mine mostly are about reenlisting. I guess with all the terrorists killings many vets wish they could contribute.

Response by 1SG Mark Boisclair made Mar 22 at 2016 10:41 AM

2016-03-22T10:41:17-04:00

After reading these post, I am glad to learn that I am not the only one. I have been retired for ten years, my how time fly. I have reoccurring dreams 3-4 times a month. The include everything from returning back to basic training (Former Drill Sergeant), returning from deployments, or some field exercise that something unusual happens. What is unusual about these kind of dreams is that they are extremely vivid and I will wake up from them and feel that they were real. Occasionally, I will fall back asleep and picking up where I left off in a dream. Excellent topic to bring up.

Response by SGT Margaret McCann (Schmitt) made Mar 22 at 2016 10:45 AM

2016-03-22T10:45:42-04:00

I only did 3 year RA and 5 Reserve and NG and I still have recurring dreams about being back in the military. I am usually on a new tour in S. Korea or sometimes I waiting to get out of the service and I've missed my discharge date.

Response by Capt Ray Lummus made Mar 22 at 2016 11:01 AM

2016-03-22T11:01:56-04:00

I retired from Marines in 1994. VI had those sorts of dreams for around 5 or so years. Finally stopped having them.

Response by MSgt Raymond Stettner made Mar 22 at 2016 11:14 AM

2016-03-22T11:14:39-04:00

I retired from the Air Force in 1996. Now it's 2016 and I still have dreams/nightmares about some of my opps, Yet I have a stable job, been married to the same understanding woman of 39yrs. I am still stuck in 1978 and the debacle that was Johnstown. A counselor I was seeing told me it"s "normal" to relive any violent act in your past. Yep, that's true. Having helped returning vets in my town fro Iraq has helped me face my demons.

Response by MAJ Bill Darling made Mar 22 at 2016 11:18 AM

2016-03-22T11:18:06-04:00

I did frequently in the 90s. I was miserable at being stuck as an AG officer in nondeployable units and would literally dream of going back to my first unit (1-506th) in Korea. Even now I can admit it was, by far, the most fulfilling assignment in the Army.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2016 11:19 AM

2016-03-22T11:19:59-04:00

Yes. I have been out of the Army for 21 years, but through those years I have had dreams at different times of being back in. Some of the dreams were good, some were as you described as being behind the 8 ball and thinking to myself "Why in the heck did you re-enlist again?". I just think that those memories come from years of service in the military that will forever be burned in our memories and will come up in dreams from time to time. As long as it is not PTSD related symptoms, I wouldn't worry about it. Friends I talk to have had the same dreams of being back in the military again, from Army Soldiers to Marines, to Air Force Airman and Navy Sailors. I think it is normal!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2016 11:41 AM

2016-03-22T11:41:07-04:00

Have those dreams multiple times a week. Not quite sure what brings them on. Been retired for over 5 years now and have no real desire to return back to the green machine.

Response by PO1 Cliff Heath made Mar 22 at 2016 12:15 PM

2016-03-22T12:15:42-04:00

YES I DO MY FIRST HITCH I WAS AN ABH ON USS ENTERPRISE, WHEN I WENT BACK IN ON THE NAVET PROGRAM IN 84 I CROSSED RATES TO GMG AND WAS PLANKOWNER ON USS VINCENNES CG-49 AND MY LAST COMMAND WAS USS ELLIOT DD-967 A SPRU-CAN. AS ANYBODY WHO HAS SERVED ON A CARRIER CAN TELL YOU ABOUT THE LONG LINES FOR ANY AND EVERY THING, HAVING TO ANCHOR OUT AND TAKE LIBERTY-BOATS INSTEAD OF TYING UP AT PIER. ANYWAY I AM ALWAYS HAVING A DREAM WHERE I AM ON A CARRIER USUALLY ENTERPRISE OR CARL VINSON. I KEEP TELLING EVERYBODY THAT AS A GMG I AM NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THERE BUT ALL THEY SAY IS "OH WELL YOU'RE HERE NOW" NOT COMBAT FLASHBACK BUT STILL WAKES ME UP IN A SWEAT.

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made Mar 22 at 2016 12:18 PM

2016-03-22T12:18:32-04:00

The only dreams I had were after I retired and started driving tractor trailers usually after a long night driving and after I went to sleep really weird dreams. But nothing about being back in the army.

Response by MAJ Hugh Blanchard made Mar 22 at 2016 12:41 PM

2016-03-22T12:41:26-04:00

My wife still has to wake me up sometimes at night because I'm dreaming and speaking in foreign languages again. I don't dream of being unable to keep up, but some of the dreams can be in really "kinetic" and violent situations, including dreams of parachuting a few times. Pretty entertaining stuff...

Response by Sgt Michael Oberline made Mar 22 at 2016 12:57 PM

2016-03-22T12:57:26-04:00

Last night at my American Legion meeting one of the guys told me he had been ask how long it had been since he was in Vietnam. I laughed and responded "Last night." He agreed.
Once you have been there you never really leave. Maybe if our politicians had all served instead of being of spoiled rich wankers we wouldn't be in the shape we are now.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2016 1:01 PM

2016-03-22T13:01:06-04:00

Yes all the time, and if I watch a war flick IE Band of Brothers/The pacific it worse. glad to see I'm not alone.

Response by SGT Kristopher Lockrem made Mar 22 at 2016 1:20 PM

2016-03-22T13:20:14-04:00

It's funny you mention it, just had one last night, and I have been out since 2000. A lot of times, I dream that I have to go back through basic at 40 years old, and I end up getting pissed at some DI, and get kicked out. Last nights dream was all about BRM, and I couldn't qualify for the life of me.

Response by SGT James Hunsinger made Mar 22 at 2016 1:35 PM

2016-03-22T13:35:05-04:00

Yes, I have similar dreams occasionally. My dreams often have to do with being brought back in and just not being able to keep up anymore. I am now 100% disabled and I think there is still part of my mind that tells me I would no longer be a good military leader since I could not lead by example anymore.

Response by Sgt John Koliha made Mar 22 at 2016 2:01 PM

2016-03-22T14:01:46-04:00

All the damn time!

But this time I am a Major.

Response by MSgt Darren VanDerwilt made Mar 22 at 2016 2:06 PM

2016-03-22T14:06:52-04:00

Every once in a while I'll have one. They're crazy, like dreams where you're out in public and completely nude. I live in Alalska, but my dreams have me working on the Nelis flightline. All the people I remember are there, glad to see me. The problem arises where I realize I'm sporting five days of not shaving.

Response by LTC Robin P. made Mar 22 at 2016 2:18 PM

2016-03-22T14:18:38-04:00

Oh, yes. Oddly, it is always either my first assignment, or my last assignment. Sometimes I'm just continuing along like it was in real life and don't realize there is anything "off" about it. Other times I have the sense that I am "back" to the assignment somehow from somewhere else. I have also dreamed that I am retired but somehow keep my clearance and all my badges and just keep showing up in uniform and working. That might be because we had a Colonel in real life who did exactly that: retired, got re-activated, then was right back at work again!

Response by SSgt Gordon Olayvar made Mar 22 at 2016 2:34 PM

2016-03-22T14:34:23-04:00

(Mind you I'm generalizing) IRT my service related dreams; sometimes they occur often, though I can go long periods without having any dreams related to my service. I sometimes think that there maybe triggers in our daily life that may be cause for these dreams to occur, or a kind of reflection, it's not all a negative experience. The simple fact is that our service experience was a very imortant part of our life, I remind myself when I need to. Our service experience helped us develope our character and the way we I look at and manage life's common challenges, how I feel and think about things and how I tend to manage or mitigate our daily challenges. Those experiences such as combat and the loss & fear associated with it is there as well though I try to turn that into a positive, just making life around me as blessed for others as I can possibly and reasonably do. One of the best self medication tools we can use to help us manage anxiety, stress & sometimes fear associated with our military and or combat experience is be of service to people in need, help someone, be available to someone in need. Our dreams will be with us as long as we live. How we feel, and what we do after we dream is up to us....Semper Fi!

Response by SFC Raymond Koeller made Mar 22 at 2016 3:21 PM

2016-03-22T15:21:14-04:00

Sure did! Retired in 2005 and still have those dreams occasionally. Some were good dreams and some were nightmares. Not sorry that I only served 20 years and like you I have a successful post-military life.

Response by PO1 Robert Gasser made Mar 22 at 2016 3:27 PM

2016-03-22T15:27:26-04:00

Hell yes I do!! Both good and bad. Love those dreams!!

Response by SPC James Dollins made Mar 22 at 2016 4:34 PM

2016-03-22T16:34:39-04:00

Usually 2-3 times a month.. Mine are NEVER pretty.. Definitely NOT my choice to dream what I do. I will say, just like my service is part of me, so are the scars, visible or not! Meds do help, w/o them I would probably be in much worse shape! I always said I didn't want to depend on meds, well that outlook changed. I had finally had enough of trying to deal w/ it myself.

Response by CPL Thomas Pressleylll made Mar 22 at 2016 5:28 PM

2016-03-22T17:28:45-04:00

most days I do, esp. when see so little common sense in civilian life.

Response by PO2 David Harlow made Mar 22 at 2016 5:29 PM

2016-03-22T17:29:51-04:00

I've been out for 10 years, and also have these dreams. In my case, I'm back on the Carl Vinson for a fourth deployment. I see that I'm twice as old as anyone, all pretty much out of high school, and I'm already on the watchbill for a post I haven't stood in, well, 10 years. I wasn't married when I was in, but I am now, so I have that sinking feeling when I'm in the dream that I have to leave her behind for at least the next 6 months (well, that's how long most of my deployments were back then, sorry about nowadays. My last one was 8 1/2 months if that helps). I'm not as well-off as we'd all love to be, but I'm happy, back in school for web design (thanks, GI Bill), and am surrounded by cats :) .

Response by SSG John Jensen made Mar 22 at 2016 5:36 PM

2016-03-22T17:36:36-04:00

all the time - mostly variations of that bit at the end when I was retired from the guard and still waiting for the technician retirement to kick in (it took a year, most people it's 2 months), and mostly those little mistakes getting blown up to big stuff (almost nightmares)

Response by A1C Lisa Casserly made Mar 22 at 2016 5:50 PM

2016-03-22T17:50:21-04:00

I have had similar dreams... I was only in for one term; My nightmares are when I have to leap out of bed to be sure the uniforms don't hang in the closet anymore! As for the meaning of the dream... well, that's hard to say. Are they "repeating" dreams, almost identical each time or are they just "similar" in theme and so on? Psychology will tell you that when you have those dreams that your brain is trying to work something out, something it doesn't do in "daylight" hours because your brain is working on other things. You say you have an excellent job and great post military career. So, obviously your brain is occupied during the day. The dream will keep recurring until your brain finds a solution. And, to make things harder, the brain will dream using all sorts of images that might not mean what they "appear" to on the surface. For example, I used to dream a lot of being chased thru the streets of a familiar town in the dark by a vampire. It would never catch me, but I would wake sweating and terrified. After many years, I understood that I wasn't actually running from a vampire; I was actually "running" in a figurative sense, by having done my level best to bury memories of sexual molest. Once I confronted that, sought counseling, etc; the dreams stopped. I don't know if this will help you. Only you can answer as to what the dream really MEANS. I have met many military men and women who struggle after retirement with going back into the workforce. It is difficult for them to be used to being "the top of the food chain", and having to start over in the civilian sector at the bottom; having to take an entry level position, etc. They feel rather lost and out of place.

Response by SSgt Liam Babington made Mar 22 at 2016 6:26 PM

2016-03-22T18:26:33-04:00

I have but have no desire to put back on a uniform! Keep the good life you have and be grateful for having the time you did in the military and be thankful for what you have now! I am! Buy yes I have had such dreams! What I wrote here is what Intold myself over and over til it stuck.

Response by CPO Jim Hughes made Mar 22 at 2016 6:28 PM

2016-03-22T18:28:55-04:00

oh my...I retired in 2002....and still have dreams about reporting to my first ship...with no uniforms....same dream, over and over....weird

Response by CPO David Baldwin made Mar 22 at 2016 6:59 PM

2016-03-22T18:59:55-04:00

I served 23 years and have been retired for nine. I think the military was such an important part of my life, most of my memories are military, so I dream. Fight dreams have slacked off, now I often dream of friends and good times. Last week I woke my fiancee by dressing down a recruit. It woke me too. Had to laugh.

Response by 1SG Patrick Sims made Mar 22 at 2016 7:47 PM

2016-03-22T19:47:08-04:00

Most people who have been in the military have reoccurring dreams---some good---some bad. Most of mine are kind of silly. The last one I had I was late for formation and couldn't find my pants. Than again there are occasional dreams of Vietnam, that are always disturbing.

Response by SSG Mannix Brooks made Mar 22 at 2016 8:03 PM

2016-03-22T20:03:31-04:00

MSG I think we have all had these nightmares (or sweet dreams for those who still think they are in) the unfortunate thing is as retirees you know we can be recalled by the Secretary of the Army but not likely unless things get really bad, like another big attack on the home front which is possible.

Response by SSG Randall Speck made Mar 22 at 2016 8:04 PM

2016-03-22T20:04:06-04:00

I dream about every night about the Military days. I also have dreams about re-deploying back into Iraq! I have PTSD though, you might need help if your dreams are unsettling, or you have some night terrors. I take meds that help me to not hit, crab, kick, or pull my wives hair in my sleep during bad dreams.

Response by SSG Randall Speck made Mar 22 at 2016 8:07 PM

2016-03-22T20:07:32-04:00

Response by Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. made Mar 22 at 2016 9:30 PM

2016-03-22T21:30:24-04:00

For 1st 10 yrs - never. For the next 10 yrs seldom. Now approaching 70 - often dream of being back in the service - no nightmares. Maybe it is because of my concerned over the mess that our country has gotten itself into. Also, it does say in the Scriptures, .... "young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams." So, who am I to argue. Besides for me: Duty, Honor, Country are great things to dream about and to live out.

Response by 1SG Bob Skudlarek made Mar 22 at 2016 9:47 PM

2016-03-22T21:47:29-04:00

Yes. I retired in 2000 and still have dreams of being back in uniform. They are not unpleasant by any means as I feel I am still able to perform as well (if not better) than I was when I was less than 60.

Response by SFC Richard Dougherty made Mar 22 at 2016 9:51 PM

2016-03-22T21:51:57-04:00

I retired from the Army with 20+ years in l991. It's funny that you ask this question because I had such a dream last week. I don't remember much about the dream, but when I woke up I remembered parts of it. It wasn't a scary dream in fact it was enjoyable.

Response by SGT Stanley Bass made Mar 22 at 2016 10:44 PM

2016-03-22T22:44:47-04:00

I often have dreams of being in military. I actually started having them before I retired. I never saw combat while in the military. However a lot of my dreams have been combat related. I seeked counselling through the Va and spoke about them, even made a partial journal of them. I have had them so many times i can recall each one in great detail. I retired back in 2005 and still have them on occasion

Response by Cpl Jeremy Brendle made Mar 22 at 2016 11:19 PM

2016-03-22T23:19:31-04:00

Yep I've been out since 2001. I was a Cpl. in the Marines and I've had several recurring dreams about going back in. For me I feel like i didn't do enough and would jump at the chance to reinlist. So i guess thats where mine come from. Semper Fi! Ooorah!

Response by PO1 Kevin Arnold made Mar 22 at 2016 11:22 PM

2016-03-22T23:22:35-04:00

On and off I have dreams and once or twice I can remember what I have dreamt. Fortunately me I don't remember a lot but sometimes I do and we'll it is weird when I do. For a few times I just can't seem to get anything right, like being late to which I have never been late for duty or work. Not being able to find the correct things or objects to do my job. We all have insecurities and we'll an imagination and I believe our minds wander. That just puts us into something we have done for most of our lives and make something out of it. When awake you have an asurance that everything is great but your imagination or dream will always go or have fun at your expense.

Response by CW3 Susan Burkholder made Mar 22 at 2016 11:26 PM

2016-03-22T23:26:42-04:00

I'm not a psychiatrist or psychologist, but I hardly think it is PTSD; judging by the number of responses of the same type of dream. You could just buy a dream interpretation book. One of the most common dreams are being back in high school and failing, having to do it over again and so on. This sounds very interchangeable. Back in the military with back in high school. It all has to do with stress of your new life and adjustments to being out of the military. From one dream interpretation book: "To dream that you have to repeat high school, (hear I would insert military instead of high school) suggests that you are doubting your accomplishments and the goals that you have already completed. You feel that you may not be measuring up to the expectation of others. The dream may occur because some recent situation may have awakened old anxieties and insecurities..."
I think you are simply experiencing life and some of it's trials. Nothing that you can't handle. :)

Response by PO1 Gregg Mundy made Mar 22 at 2016 11:52 PM

2016-03-22T23:52:12-04:00

All the time but for some reason I NEVER seem to have my uniform!!

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Mar 23 at 2016 12:02 AM

2016-03-23T00:02:29-04:00

Sp4 Byron Skinner Relax and enjoy the memories MSG Di Fondi they are about a lot more then the USArmy, they are about a way of life. Each generation of us go through the same process. Change right now is intense and its not going to decrease any time soon in the Army. Its the new guys turn MSG Di Fondi

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 23 at 2016 7:14 AM

2016-03-23T07:14:52-04:00

My friend in Arms, contact the VA or TriCare. Dealing with it is easy to say, sometimes. We all handle our Time in Service in different ways. You also have the Veterans Hotline that can provide guidance, if you are not near a VA your Tri-Care covers counseling. Nothing is wrong with you, your service represented the span of your entire adult life, it is who you are.

Good luck!

Response by Col Rebecca Lorraine made Mar 23 at 2016 7:31 AM

2016-03-23T07:31:00-04:00

I have dreams. Dreams where I am always trying to hurry and can't keep up. As a nurse practitioner both within the military and out, I experience dreams where I have rooms full of patients with their families that I have to see and write up all the notes and I can't remember any diagnoses. Staff are asking me questions I don't understand. I am trying to maintain my panic levels, but I'm just overwhelmed. I haven't practiced since my retirement in 2009, so I would definitely be behind and that makes me sad. I experienced these similar life events and the stress can be really overwhelming. I stopped sleeping and eventually started having seizures. The dreams still happen when life is stressful and I feel I can't keep up. I wish I could say I make healthy choices for managing those reminders, but I don't. I feel like I lost a huge part of my personal identity when I was retired. I think you are experiencing similar types of dreams. "They say dreams are the windows of the soul..." I have pretty vivid dreams sometime and have found it helpful to write them down including the details that stand out including colors.

Response by SFC Ethan Graves made Mar 23 at 2016 7:34 AM

2016-03-23T07:34:26-04:00

All the time and we should. For most, our 20's & 30's were spent serving. There are a lot of old memories good or bad that will be remembered. I always like to tell my wife the dreams because they always have a weird twist which makes her laugh and me too sometimes. Congrats on Retirement. PS. Civilian life is quite the change. Enjoy the new challenge.

Response by CW2 Max Dolan made Mar 23 at 2016 8:48 AM

2016-03-23T08:48:17-04:00

I'm "in uniform" in one way or the other, practically every night. I have a variety of weapons in a variety of conditions. Sometimes my uniform isn't quite right. Sometimes I'm a volunteer and sometimes I'm a leader. I retired in 1988, but am "back in the Army" in a sense, because I work on a military installation as a contractor. I enjoy these dreams. No nightmares about Vietnam, although I served there. Sometimes I respond to these dreams by cleaning the military gear that I kept, or have since acquired. Just last weekend, I cleaned my two "shelter-halves," scrubbed and re-painted the tent pegs their original orange color, and cleaned and re-painted the poles green. I actually slept in that tent on a TDY trip last week! I also have an M1A, which I have fixed up with an original 1960's wooden stock to look, feel and shoot like the M-14 I carried in Vietnam. I've got a 1911 .45 pistol and the shoulder-rig marked "US," too. "You can take the Soldier out of the Army, but you can't take the Army out of the Soldier. So, "soldier on," retiree!!

Response by LTC George Morgan made Mar 23 at 2016 11:29 AM

2016-03-23T11:29:12-04:00

Hello Anthony, this is not all together an uncommon experience. Usually, it is episodic, and I think it because for those of us who experienced a long period of Military association we unconsciously wish we could still go back and continue I that lifestyle. This too shall pass, so instead of being concerned about the dreams..... En joy the moment, after all, they beat the crap out of PTSD!
Regards,
George

Response by MAJ Terrence Gardner made Mar 23 at 2016 12:07 PM

2016-03-23T12:07:29-04:00

I do not believe you are alone in dreaming of returning to the military, I think many of us who have left still do. For many of us joining the military at a young age has forged our lives in ways obvious and subtle. We think different, we act different, than those around us who have never served we have been trained that way and it has become a way of life. But above all, we retain a strong sense of duty. The strong sense of duty inside you, of wanting to return; because you feel the need as we have been fighting this long war......the desire to get back in the fight. I hope this helps you.

Response by MSG Carlos Quinones made Mar 23 at 2016 12:46 PM

2016-03-23T12:46:29-04:00

Yes I have that dreams. I retire from the Army with 28 years active duty plus 7 years in the reserve.

Response by SPC(P) Carlos Santini made Mar 23 at 2016 2:33 PM

2016-03-23T14:33:21-04:00

Everyday. This time of the year is harder then others.

Response by SPC Steven Depuy made Mar 23 at 2016 4:18 PM

2016-03-23T16:18:35-04:00

I left the service in 1979. Up until maybe 5-6 years ago, I would have dreams I was back in the Army, back in Germany, away from my family. Not sure if they stopped, or I just sleep so crappy now, I rarely dream, lol, but thats my epxerience.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 8:18 PM

2016-03-23T20:18:39-04:00

Yep, had pretty much the same dream about being recalled to active duty. Oh, maybe that's a nightmare.

Response by Cpl John Mathews made Mar 23 at 2016 8:24 PM

2016-03-23T20:24:10-04:00

I have dreams/ nightmares about being recalled and having to go through boot camp again before being allowed to continue at my former rank. The nightmarish part is my inability to keep up with my peers who stayed in for 30 years. The dreams are troubling, but I thought it might have to do with the fact that I was retired on disability and unable to make the Corps my lifelong career.

Response by SGM Joel Cook made Mar 23 at 2016 10:41 PM

2016-03-23T22:41:48-04:00

Ha ha and laugh out loud. I retired in 2005. About once a month I have a very realistic dream about the military. My job for my last five years was as a SGM problem solver. So every one of these dreams is about some problem that is brought to me to be solved. My wife has actually told me I have talked in my sleep, me talking about some of the real bazaar problems soldiers bring to me to solve. She said a few times I even cussed and sounded very mad. Often I wake in the morning and say, OK good, that was only a dream. I am retired now.

Response by MAJ Jeff Miller made Mar 24 at 2016 5:39 AM

2016-03-24T05:39:59-04:00

All The time. No big deal as per my therapist, she linked the dreams to increased civilian life stress, Nobody has an Idea what I did just that I wore the uniform at some point. See a Stress DR. they spent their years learning while we were serving AND learning. PS Tylenol pm Seems to amp up the dreams.

Response by CWO4 James M Blaschak made Mar 24 at 2016 5:46 PM

2016-03-24T17:46:59-04:00

Dreams yes. but no concern with being able to keep up. When I dream it is usually about adventures sort of like watching movies. As a Warrant Officer I'm usually in charge of something, and it almost always leads to a situation of taking care of my people. Maybe you need to revaluate your current structure with a dogged intent to be completely satisfied. Just a thought.

Response by PO2 Chris Wilkinson made Mar 24 at 2016 7:27 PM

2016-03-24T19:27:36-04:00

I feel the same way especially being fulfilled. I read books & talk to other vets.

Response by SSG Vincent Jauregui made Mar 24 at 2016 8:30 PM

2016-03-24T20:30:05-04:00

THANK YOU..VERY WELL SAID.....THE ARMY WAS MY LIFE......32YRS OF IT......HOOAH

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2016 9:44 PM

2016-03-24T21:44:59-04:00

I think the dreams you're having will dissolve eventually, Maybe some mild, non habit forming sleep meds will help. I know they help me a lot, I tend to thrash and punch in my sleep. The VA prescribes trazodone for my nightmares, look into it. I get about 7 hrs of solid snoozing finally after nearly forty yrs. Dave

Response by MSgt Daniel Harrison made Mar 25 at 2016 12:26 AM

2016-03-25T00:26:59-04:00

Hello Sergeant DiFondi,
I'm retired Air Force MSgt Dan Harrison. I retired in 1994 after 22 years of service. And yes, I still have dreams of being back in the military. I had a wonderful career where I was stationed overseas for 18 years of my service tenure between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. There is no doubt that I could easily keep up with today's troops because unlike the Army, the Air Force (especially for Senior NCOs) is more about management and supervision. After retirement, I taught Middle/Elementary School for 16 years. Now fully retired I am enjoying my life.
Your dreams are perfectly normal. Embrace them, because you have accomplished something, seen things, and done things that only a small percentage of people in this country can relate to. And if you have someone who doesn't mind listening to your "war stories", talk.

Response by Capt Adam Saxe made Mar 26 at 2016 6:17 PM

2016-03-26T18:17:07-04:00

All the time MSG, all the time. I have a feeling even retired doctors have similar dreams about being back in the hospital or retired teachers about being back in a school, but the military is the most unique among unique professions . . . no matter how great one's civilian life/career, you'll always have a longing for your days in uniform.

Response by SFC Dave Parker made Mar 27 at 2016 11:23 PM

2016-03-27T23:23:42-04:00

I retired about 21 years ago and I think that I'm still in the military in half of my dreams.

Response by PO1 Cameron Rhyne made Mar 28 at 2016 1:31 AM

2016-03-28T01:31:15-04:00

I occasionally have dreams where I'm back on the ship, and usually either being told I need to be back on watch RIGHT NOW, or frantically looking for a watchbill so I can figure out if I am(inspired by my departments constant inability to write a decent watchbill a day or more in advance). Sometimes I'd notice I was in a dream and point out I was actually out of the military.

They're fewer then they used to be but every so often I have one.

Response by PO2 Angelika Laist made Mar 28 at 2016 3:30 PM

2016-03-28T15:30:02-04:00

Hi, Anthony,

Yes, I have only been out of the Navy for 3 years, but I have reoccurring dreams all the time. Dreams in which there is a lot of turmoil, armageddon style. I , however, am mostly confident in my abilities in my dreams and am a leader of my peers. I would not worry too much about your dreams; the science of dreaming still has not been entirely explored yet and I would not give into the Freudian analysis of dreams. However, if the dreams affect you in your everyday life you may want to see someone about it. Maybe a dream journal will help you as well.

Response by Cpl Bryan Utrilla made Aug 22 at 2016 2:23 PM

2016-08-22T14:23:58-04:00

What we learn in the military is very universal. It's structured systematically to get a mission done effectively. It can translate into our civilian life almost metaphorically... When I lose my rifle, or don't follow orders in my dreams, it usually means I'm headed towards a wrong "path" in real life. Just write them down when you wake up and you'll start noticing patterns, look at the objectively all the time..

Response by MSG Carlos Quinones made Aug 26 at 2016 12:40 PM

2016-08-26T12:40:16-04:00

I am retire in 2013, I was in the army for 34 yeas and i missing the soldier and the great time in the Tank. I like to be back so I can have this new soldier lean to be a soldier like the 1979 to 1994, because in that time you can complain like PT every day, run 5 to 6 miles a day and have you barrack and uniform inspect every day before going to work. That make soldier educated in the Army and to be promoted you have to past the hand test for you job, now is like you have to have college boy to be a great soldier. I remember in my time in the tank that when you receive a new officer from West Point, they said that we have to follow his order because they when to West Point but every time that they take a decision to moved that platoon to objective point, we be loose for two or tree hours and they going back to the Patton Sargent to as for help but that time the company commander wan to kill him because they company fail to go from point A to point B. I have a great time.

Response by PO3 Pilar Michka made Sep 21 at 2016 11:19 AM

2016-09-21T11:19:01-04:00

I left the military in 2000 after only 4 years of active service in peace time. Now every now and then I dream of being activated because they need me back or I dream of signing up for more years.

Response by PO2 Chris Wilkinson made Sep 25 at 2016 10:25 PM

2016-09-25T22:25:04-04:00

I would if I was given the chance.

Response by SPC Steven Depuy made Sep 29 at 2016 1:05 PM

2016-09-29T13:05:04-04:00

Happened for about 20 years. I kept dreaming the Army grabbed me again and sent me to Germany without my family, used to happen a lot, been a long time now. But I would end up at "The Rock" again doing another tour counting the days till I could get home to my wife and kids.

Response by SCPO Bill Milani made Sep 30 at 2016 6:05 PM

2016-09-30T18:05:24-04:00

I dream about being back in the service all the time. I retired over 25 years ago. Senior Chief

Response by MAJ R. Andrew Hoskinson made Nov 8 at 2016 7:37 PM

2016-11-08T19:37:16-05:00

Yes. I had the same dreams for a long time. They finally subsided after around ten years. I think they're fairly common.

Response by PO1 Cliff Heath made Nov 10 at 2016 1:51 PM

2016-11-10T13:51:57-05:00

I do all the time and I got out in 89 after doing 9 1/2 years but I have to take a buttload of mental health meds and I think that they are a big part of it. Sometimes it gets to the point I can't tell the difference between the dream and reality, and they are so real it's .....well......it's crazy.

Response by MSgt Daniel Harrison made Nov 11 at 2016 1:17 AM

2016-11-11T01:17:43-05:00

I retired in 1994 after 22 years of happy service. I traveled the world visiting many countries. I still have dreams. What's weird is sometimes I'm there with these young troops of today and I'm at my current age. But they listen to my wisdom as I teach them about life and the importance of doing their job "right the first time".

Response by LCpl Basil Atamansky made Jan 28 at 2017 4:58 PM

2017-01-28T16:58:53-05:00

I got medically discharged in 2007 and have been having reoccurring dreams of being in and sometimes being back in basic it's so real to me and I am a lucid dreamer I can take over and do whatever I'd like in my dream like a video game, but when I wake up I'm uneasy and confused I do suffer now from PTSD anxiety iv had three tbi's and now have severe narcolepsy and sleep apnea from that idk why I have these either but I am kind of ok to find out I'm not the only one

Response by MSG Terry Huckeba made Feb 5 at 2017 2:10 PM

2017-02-05T14:10:56-05:00

I have recurring dreams about the military every night. I am always in a transition center waiting on assignment. There is always something missing from my uniform, wrong rank, missing equipment, last in line and late to my next appointment. I've tried to process these dreams myself because they are every night and I dream of nothing else. This morning I woke up after I was supposed to report for night duty in my dream. I am wondering if I'm in trouble tonight when I fall asleep. My processes lead me to believe my dreams are tied to the anxiety of reassignment. I've had some terrible bosses and have been yelled at plenty of times for doing exactly what I was supposed to do. I've had great bosses too. Never knowing what is next is what still bothers me. I once got out of the Emergency Surgery to find out I was in trouble because my Commander didn't authorize me to have Emergency Surgery. I've had Commander's move Physical Training formations every morning in attempts to make me, individually, late, so they could pull my retirement package. I've had Commanders secretly try to remove me from promotion lists because they felt I was advancing too fast, or better said, faster than my superiors advanced. Just going to work in those units was a living nightmare. Now I do it every time I fall asleep.

MSG, USA, (Retired)

Response by SCPO Bill Milani made Feb 9 at 2017 6:55 PM

2017-02-09T18:55:02-05:00

I have dreams of being back in the service all the time. I miss the comraderi of my shipmates that "sand crabs" don't understand

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Feb 9 at 2017 7:14 PM

2017-02-09T19:14:49-05:00

I sure wouldn't call them dreams. More like nightmares! I woke up many mornings and thought I had overslept morning formation!

Response by PO2 Jennifer Meyers made Feb 13 at 2017 3:07 AM

2017-02-13T03:07:15-05:00

I was honorably discharged in 2004 from the Navy I spent some time on 2 separate aircraft carriers, I have never gone beyond the shores of Virginia on trainings. Although I have never seen battle or have been on any missions I always dream I'm back on the ship and in tge middle of some conflict. If I'm not dreaming about that I'm on the ship and don't have all of my gear (cover, my id, boots etc). The dreams always make me fearful. It's atleast twice a month this happens.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2017 8:12 PM

2017-02-13T20:12:54-05:00

I still have that while still being currently in. I wish I had dreams vice versa!

Response by PO2 Jennifer Meyers made Jul 6 at 2017 12:51 AM

2017-07-06T00:51:10-04:00

I dream I'm back in and I feel happy about it but then I start to feel anxious because some part of my uniform is missing. I dream like this often, I have no cover or sometime no belt or boots. Usually that's the only problem but lately I dream I'm lost and can't pass because the spaces are to small and I don't fit inside so I have to stay behind.

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made Jul 6 at 2017 7:54 AM

2017-07-06T07:54:34-04:00

I was in for a total of 26 years, and I have been retired for 2 years. I have dreamed about being back in, and I think it is for two reasons. One, I regret retiring when I did, but I was too broken to continue so intellectually I knew it was time, but emotionally I wasn't ready. Two, life was much simpler in the Army! I always knew where to be, what time to be there, and what to wear. I never knew how spoiled I was until I became a civilian. My solution: work as a military contractor!

Response by MSG Paul Weller made Jul 6 at 2017 10:20 AM

2017-07-06T10:20:37-04:00

Tony, ha ha ha Yes, all the time.

Response by PO3 Steven Thorn made Sep 21 at 2017 2:29 AM

2017-09-21T02:29:39-04:00

Try this one i was in the navy for 10 years i keep on having the same dream that after i got out i enlisted in the army wich never happened these dreams are very real i even went to jump school at ft benning this is not stolen valor i have never tried to claim any army background it is just a dream that keeps on showing up
When i was a child i had wanted to join the army like my father so maybe thats what it is

Response by MAJ R. Andrew Hoskinson made Sep 30 at 2017 4:14 PM

2017-09-30T16:14:29-04:00

I have the exact same dream periodically- this after being off active duty for 21 years, and out of the USAR for 12 years!

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Nov 7 at 2017 1:21 PM

2017-11-07T13:21:47-05:00

Dreams or nightmares?

Response by CWO4 Dale Sale made Jan 11 at 2018 9:56 PM

2018-01-11T21:56:12-05:00

I thought that these would stop after I retired. It's been 7+ years and no let up. Granted, I never saw the horrors that some on here have, however they are still very real to me. Several nights a week my ship is: in a rescue, on fire, flooding, in a collision, aground, terrible engineering disaster that I am responsible for fixing with no help and pressure to make it happen so the mission gets done.. In these people often die and I am the one that informs the next of kin (Yes, that actually happened once). I am never the one that suffers, I must watch everyone else perish... My wife asks, "Did you sleep well?". How do you answer that?

Response by SGT Thomas Darilek made Feb 1 at 2018 6:00 PM

2018-02-01T18:00:05-05:00

I have them all the time. It's weird, it's usually me back in the army in the present time, but intermingled with my current civilian life. I've been out almost fifteen years. I served almost ten years.

Response by PO1 Joe Rapoza made Mar 26 at 2018 12:55 PM

2018-03-26T12:55:25-04:00

I have these dreams way to many times a month. I mostly dream that I have to get my retirement paperwork complete and never seems to get it done. The keep telling me I don't enough time or something is wrong with my uniform. Strange because I was a Yeoman and uniforms was just another day. I enjoyed my career to the extreme. I have removed all military items from my house and don't wear anything military related anymore. These dreams are annoying. I can understand it. I wanted to retire and it was my best choice. I have done well for myself since. Anyone else there with these issues.

Response by PO2 Johnny Terrell made Apr 30 at 2018 11:59 AM

2018-04-30T11:59:34-04:00

I spent eight years in the U.S. Coast Guard. It was a rough couple of tours mostly aboard ships up in Alaska but I never disliked my time in the Coast Guard. I have been out since 1988.

For the last ten years or so i have had a recurring dream where I am rejoining the Coast Guard or some type of naval service involving ships. I arrive at my ship and go aboard but there is never a place for me to stay. They can't find a rack or a locker for me to put my gear into so I just have to walk around with no permanent place to live. It is a very disheartening dream.

I asked my brother, who was in the Air Force for several years, if he experienced these types of dreams and he said he too had a similar dream on occasion.

I suppose my dream comes from being a part of something which over time became very ingrained into my being. You might forget about all those experiences during the day but at night your mind goes back to what it knows best when you are asleep. They probably have some meaning but I have not really been able to determine what it is.

Strange.

Response by SGT M M made May 5 at 2018 8:15 AM

2018-05-05T08:15:17-04:00

I just had another recurring dream that I rejoined the military. I’m not retired, but I left after I married and my spouse wanted out because we had children. It was leave the military or divorce. I followed my spouse and kept our family together and today we are almost at 20 years of marriage. I sometimes wonder what it would have been like had I stayed. I really loved the service and I had incredible potential, but at the same time I’ve had an extraordinary and blessed life so really can’t complain.

Response by TSgt Tim Corcoran made Jun 7 at 2018 1:32 AM

2018-06-07T01:32:25-04:00

3 yrs 9 mos 22 days in the sandbox. Got out in 2012 after 11.5 yrs to the day. Have dreams of being back in Germany or Korea. Usually I can't find my hat or top(blouse hate that term). Sometimes, I'm back at like basic and I know I have my id card and they are trying to get me back in the service...but it's not really basic, it's like a conglomeration of all the places I've been. I have dreams of being bombarded by footballs, again at a place that's a conglomeration of all the places I've been. It's weird to wake up and look for a hat, or id card, or your blouse, or hit the deck and be crying because your brother or sister just died right next to you. My dreams are never of me back in Iraq or Afghanistan, always a green place and always overseas. It really hurts my soul to wake up to that. Any thoughts?

Response by SCPO John P Ledesma made Jun 8 at 2018 12:11 AM

2018-06-08T00:11:37-04:00

I constantly have dreams about being back in the Navy. Most recently I was back aboard an aircraft carrier, meeting with my troops and checking out the spaces of our division. Then I realized I didn't have any uniforms with me other than the khakis I was wearing. I was planning to go buy new uniforms at the ships store but needed to get set up with a rack assignment first. These dreams always seem so real and clear. Always something about my uniforms as well. I've been retired for 25 years now after 22 yrs of service and I still have these dreams quite frequently.

Response by SSG Cj Jones made Feb 24 at 2019 10:08 AM

2019-02-24T10:08:12-05:00

I can relate. I keep having convoluted dreams where I'm still in the military. I served 12 years and exited in 1996! So can't figure out why I keep having these dreams. Last night was the most recent, which drove me to Google the meaning of these dreams, which ultimately led me to this join this forum.
My dream last night involved being in a convoy enrout to field training, but this convoy was also a funeral procession enrout to our first stop - a funeral. Seated in the military hummer which I riding, were also a few of my siblings, similar to the way we road in the family funeral car when our mom died a few years ago. Except this time we were in a military vehicl. WTF!

This only one version of my dreams involving military experience. The majority of the time, they Seem to involve some form of travel enrout out to the field for training maneuvers.

Response by SFC Dave Anthony made Mar 12 at 2019 1:35 AM

2019-03-12T01:35:31-04:00

I have similar dreams but I’m almost always in combat and jumping in. Always feeling inadequate due to my disabilities. Feeling like a phony, like I’ll be discovered because I can longer keep up. It takes a little bit after waking to tell myself I’m no longer in the military and then it’s comforting.

Response by SrA Steven Widdifield made Mar 22 at 2019 5:46 AM

2019-03-22T05:46:57-04:00

I just woke up from a nightmare!! I was in the Airforce for 6 years, went in during Kosovo and got out 3 years after the towers went down. In my dream I was in civilian clothes back in Germany I can’t find my uniforms and I miss my wife and kids so bad. I am 100 lbs overweight trying to fit in and all I wanna do is come home...

Response by SSG Fernando Zamora made Aug 11 at 2019 7:39 PM

2019-08-11T19:39:53-04:00

I have them and I hate them. They usually involved being back in the barracks and I’m private snuffy who for some reason cannot keep up with his equipment. Other times I can’t find my unit formation for the division run. There’s been times I’m in the field and have a run away vehicle. All sorts of crazy stuff. Thing is I was a squared away soldier when I was in until I got sick and got a medical separation. Do the dreams ever end?

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2019 12:37 PM

2019-08-22T12:37:37-04:00

I dream I’m back in often , I’m at drill and I keep telling them I’m not supposed to be in anymore but they always say I signed back up or I have drills left . A lot of the dreams I have is we are spinning up to go back over seas or we are back in Iraq . Ive dreamed I went back to boot camp and couldn’t keep up . It’s all the time with these dreams .

Response by Tim Johns made Jul 4 at 2020 9:29 PM

2020-07-04T21:29:47-04:00

I did just six years, just part-time in the National Guard 30 years ago. Never deployed, was never mobilized, and never spent any active duty time outside of initial entry training. STILL dream about being in the Army at least once a month. Two thoughts in terms of reason: #1 Basic training and AIT were extremely formative times for me. I changed more, faster there (for the better) than at any other time in my life prior or since. #2 I have some regret about getting out; my mind is not going to let that go easily.

Response by SPC David Lammers made Jul 12 at 2020 4:17 AM

2020-07-12T04:17:16-04:00

yes I always have dreams about militiary and seam real except I got out 20 years ago i learned how 5o block them and my counselor said that's not good but i never complete my mission i can never relax and teak a break

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 5:48 PM

2020-07-15T17:48:02-04:00

I served for seven years back in the 1990s. I've been out for over twenty years now, but every few months I'll have some dream where it turns out I was discharged too early and so now I'm back in the army to serve out the last six months. As with all my dreams, it's all very fluid and disjointed. Usually, I've just arrived at a reception center, presumably at Ft. Hood, although it's not the one I actually went through there. From there, I'm sent back to my old unit and people I used to know are still there. I don't have any of my TA-50 and I'm frantic because I know that my return has all the leadership thinking "WTF are you doing back here? Jesus! You cant even ETS without fucking up!" My guts are in knots because I know "HE" will be there soon.

"He" was my squad leader for the last year I was in. He was a former drill sergeant and a sadist. When I was assigned to my last unit I had two years left to serve. A year later I was put in his squad. It wasn't long before he told me he had been watching me for the last year and didn't like the way I carried myself. He regarded me as a lost cause, useful only to serve as an example. He rode me for the entire year, every day. At one point, a couple of months later, after I incurred his wrath over something, he dismissed everybody else, took me aside came up to me and hissed right in my face "You know something? I believe I'm gonna have to crush you!"

It was not an idle threat. Over the next 8-9 months he made good on it.

He never actually shows up in the dreams. He remains always an impending doom that never materializes. I'll wake up gasping, sweating — I'm not sure if I've ever yelled out from it — and with the most tremendous relief, but I remain rattled for days afterward.

Response by SGT Stephanie Grant made Jul 20 at 2020 9:51 PM

2020-07-20T21:51:20-04:00

Constantly!

Response by SSG Duane Chee made May 28 at 2021 4:55 PM

2021-05-28T16:55:41-04:00

In the past four years or so, I have been dreaming about being back in the Army. Different places, different units, and always in the reception/integration phase. I'm always unorganized, and missing a part of my uniform. And to make it worse I have the lower enlisted Soldiers looking at me, wondering why I'm so ate up.

Response by SGT Maria McQuaig made Jun 3 at 2021 7:09 AM

2021-06-03T07:09:45-04:00

I served 6 years and got out back in 2004. I still have recurring dreams about being in the military, just of everyday life. I’m also living a very happy and fulfilling post military life and career, but when I have these dreams I awaken very sad or almost in tears from nostalgia. It’s disturbing. In my case, I did not want to leave the service but I had a life changing event happen and I was forced into the decision. I do truly believe I am better for having left the military so I’m very perplexed as to why it feels like I made a mistake when I wake from these dreams.

Response by SGM Awilda Velez-Rodriguez made Aug 26 at 2021 12:18 PM

2021-08-26T12:18:48-04:00

Yes, i retired 19 years ago and too often i dreamed im back on AD.

Response by PO3 David Radich made Sep 15 at 2021 9:38 PM

2021-09-15T21:38:27-04:00

All the time

Response by SPC Felix Gutierrez made Jan 22 at 2022 2:55 PM

2022-01-22T14:55:28-05:00

I've never looked into it but now I see there's others having the same dreams. Very similar and still have them from time to time. Usually having to do with uniform or equipment not functioning. Being in at my current age of 40 and holding my old rank. Haha. Very real dreams. I do have a great career so definitely not about that. Interesting though.

Response by SSG Jack Scott made Feb 23 at 2022 9:59 PM

2022-02-23T21:59:23-05:00

I retired from the Army Jan/2013 and also served in the Marines for ten years. I still have dreams most nights it’s part of our being. There are time I wake up and don’t go back to bed. It’s who we are.

Response by PO1 Chris Mallam made Jan 4 at 2023 11:04 AM

2023-01-04T11:04:10-05:00

I retired in 2015 and cannot go 1 week without a dream about suddenly being back in the Navy. Last night, I dreamt that I was back at my old command and we had a major weapons inspection, but I was a shitshow. I couldn't find all of my uniforms items. I struggled to find my boots and had to run around in my coveralls at the exchange with sneakers on trying to find them. Every dream is the similar. I end up back on the boat or in my old unit and can't accomplish a task, because I can't find something.
I make loads more money now, have all the free time I want, being self employed and enjoy my relaxed post military life. I have no desire to go back in and would refuse if they offered.
I think I just became so used to performing under pressure and problem solving, but now that I have no worries, my mind still craves it; That, or I really do subconsciously miss it.
I don't want to call it PTSD, because that doesn't seem fair to those that have actual combat experience. I'm not stressing over it and sometimes it's nice to run into old buddies in my dreams. I'm just tired of waking up and saying to myself, WTF was that all about?

Response by MSgt Danny Derden made Jul 8 at 2023 9:22 AM

2023-07-08T09:22:43-04:00

25 years of service for me and I have VIVID dreams at least 2 or 3 times a week. Sometimes of specific things that happened or regarding specific people, sometimes about nearing the end of my service and not being able to get my retirement processed (have that one a lot), sometimes about being on some assignment or mission and sometimes it goes well other times it goes to hell. Every now and then I dream about going back in at my current age, but usually in my dreams I am my younger self. Some are good, most are so-so, and some are bad and disturbing but they almost always wake me up and make it very difficult to get back to sleep.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2023 10:44 AM

2023-07-08T10:44:14-04:00

Those are called "Nightmares"

Response by SFC Timothy Wieboldt made Jul 8 at 2024 1:14 PM

2024-07-08T13:14:05-04:00

I retired Back in 2004 with 22 years. and keep having dreams about being deployed and back with leadership from back in the early 1980's. I'm in my 60's now and can't imagine being back in the military. PT would kill me with all the arthritis I have now.

Response by SN Thomas Burns made Oct 25 at 2024 4:56 AM

2024-10-25T04:56:36-04:00

I can totally relate to having recurring dreams that feel unsettling, even when life seems stable. I’ve had similar dreams, though mine are about being back in school and feeling unprepared for a test or presentation. Even though I’m no longer in that phase of life, the pressure in those dreams feels real. It seems like your military dreams could be your mind processing past experiences, even if you’ve moved on.

I came across an app that explains what our dreams are about. It mentioned that these kinds of dreams might reflect feelings of responsibility or challenges we’ve faced, even if they aren’t connected to our current life. It helped me see that sometimes, our brain revisits old roles as a way of sorting through emotions or memories. For more details check https://dreamabout.io/.

Dream Interpretation: Your Personal Dream Analyst in an App

Your dreams are trying to tell you something. Learn the art of dream interpretation and turn your nightly adventures into powerful insights. Want to understand yourself better?

Response by SGT Stephen Tuckier made Nov 26 at 2024 4:21 PM

2024-11-26T16:21:51-05:00

Absolutely, yes....

Response by PO1 Timothy McConnell made Feb 27 at 2025 11:32 AM

2025-02-27T11:32:00-05:00

I've had the same "type" dream continuously for several years now. I retired after 20 years in the Navy. In my dream, I'm back in the Navy, its always around my 21 year mark, I know I retired and dont know why I'm still there. I have no uniform items whatsoever and my unit is either about to deploy or has just deployed. Different dreams every single time, but with that basic scenario.