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

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.

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..

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.