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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LTC Program Manager
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Those are called "Nightmares"
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MSgt Danny Derden
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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.
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PO1 Chris Mallam
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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?
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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.
SPC Felix Gutierrez
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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.
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PO3 David Radich
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All the time
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SGM Awilda Velez-Rodriguez
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Yes, i retired 19 years ago and too often i dreamed im back on AD.
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SGT Maria McQuaig
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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.
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SSG Duane Chee
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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.
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MSG Anthony DiFondi
MSG Anthony DiFondi
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Yep. So familiar.
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SGT Stephanie Grant
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Constantly!
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