Does anyone ever feel nostalgia for war?

SPC Kyle De Wolf — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 16:50:19 -0400

Not because you approve of it or think it’s a good idea, but just because you feel so deeply estranged from society, and the front lines were the last place that you remember feeling alive and connected? Or maybe for some other reason?

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jul 13 at 2018 5:12 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 17:12:40 -0400

I never felt "alive" on the battlefield. And being in a place in which my brothers or myself could die at any moment is not a place I romanticize.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2018 5:19 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 17:19:49 -0400

SPC Kyle De Wolf War is hell and is with you forever. Watching fellow brothers die is not something that I am nostalgic about.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 13 at 2018 5:35 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 17:35:05 -0400

Never had the displeasure of combat, trained for it though.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jul 13 at 2018 9:27 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 21:27:56 -0400

Short answer- No —longer explanation my experience in combat was like a description I read here on RP ,combat is like a car crash everything is fine and then Wham! Your whole world turns to shit,I felt alive and connected when my ten months and fourteen days in Vietnam were over!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 13 at 2018 10:55 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 22:55:39 -0400

Noun. a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to one's home or homeland, or to one's family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time.

I think it stumbles on "happiness". That's why you'll get a pile of no votes. Now if the question was about nostalgia for former MIL brothers/sisters, etc., you'll get a different answer set. So for most, nostalgia for war; NO. Nostalgia for what war did to you; HELL NO. However, if you had the chance to do it all over again to bring more people out alive; probably a lot of HELL YESes.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jul 14 at 2018 3:32 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Sat, 14 Jul 2018 15:32:38 -0400

Honestly - absolutely not. If I could erase some of the stuff in my mind I would. There is nothing, and I mean nothing glorious, romantic, or exhilarating about combat, You pray that your training and reflexive reactions are good enough, and hope that you make the right decisions, all at the same time while some on is actively trying to kill you or your buddies. And no matter how terrible it is to see one of your buddies get hurt, there is a part of you thanking God that it wasn't you.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Jul 15 at 2018 9:09 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 21:09:39 -0400

War and combat itself, no.

The adrenaline rush that accompanied some aspects of it... somewhat. Part of what I liked about being a firefighter was going full-bore down the road in the dead of night alongside trusted comrades you wouldn't find anywhere else; everyone of us ready to hit the ground running and get things DONE with much at stake as soon as the vehicle came to a rapid halt - but in a (typically) far less horrific environment.

Nostalgia for the camaraderie I had with my fellow Soldiers, certainly.

Response by SGT Robert Martin made Sep 30 at 2022 5:22 AM

SGT Robert Martin — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 05:22:34 -0400

Everyday then I look at my wife and kids and realize just how lucky I am. I still have my struggles but my wife and kids never complain and are always there to help.

Response by SPC Michael Corrothers made Feb 5 at 2023 8:39 PM

SPC Michael Corrothers — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 20:39:30 -0500

No never.

Response by LT Alex Corsi made Mar 4 at 2024 10:40 AM

LT Alex Corsi — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:40:57 -0500

I understand the sentiment, very well, but that is not to be confused with personal feelings of contentment or nostalgia. It is selfish in extremes and fortunately wars do not, and should not, last forever. War is very dirty business and always sucks to those on the receiving end.