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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MSG Carlos Quinones
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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.
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Cpl Bryan Utrilla
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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..
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Sgt Ronnie Mack
Sgt Ronnie Mack
9 y
Yes, Dreams and thoughts during the day. But I realized that I miss the commeodery of the botherhood I once shared. I could be thirsty and a fellow brother in arms (rave didn't matter) would pass their canteen to me after they just drank out of it. I would drink, pass it back and without a second thought, they would drink out of it also! U can't find brother hood like that (anywhere)!!!!
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PO2 Angelika Laist
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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.
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SFC Jim Ruether
SFC Jim Ruether
>1 y
Aren't dreams an indication of Deep REM sleep and this type of rest is beneficial to us all if we aren't raked over the coals in our dreams.
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PO1 Cameron Rhyne
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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.
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SFC Dave Parker
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I retired about 21 years ago and I think that I'm still in the military in half of my dreams.
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Capt Adam Saxe
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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.
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SPC Combat Engineer
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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
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SSG Vincent Jauregui
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THANK YOU..VERY WELL SAID.....THE ARMY WAS MY LIFE......32YRS OF IT......HOOAH
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PO2 Chris Wilkinson
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I feel the same way especially being fulfilled. I read books & talk to other vets.
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CWO4 James M Blaschak
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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.
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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
>1 y
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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