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

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.

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.

All the damn time!

But this time I am a Major.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.