Posted on Mar 19, 2016
MSG Anthony DiFondi
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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?
Posted in these groups: Retirement logo RetirementSleep Sleeping
Edited >1 y ago
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MAJ Jeff Miller
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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.
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SPC Steven Depuy
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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.
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SPC Steven Depuy
SPC Steven Depuy
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Experience, sorry, won't let me edit it.
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SPC(P) Carlos Santini
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Everyday. This time of the year is harder then others.
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LTC George Morgan
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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
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PO1 Kevin Arnold
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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.
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SGT Stanley Bass
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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
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SFC Richard Dougherty
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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.
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1SG Bob Skudlarek
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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.
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SSG Randall Speck
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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.
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CPO David Baldwin
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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.
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