Does Anything, or Has Anything, in the Military Ever Caused You Stress and/or Anxiety?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 May 2015 11:59:38 -0400

In my 14 years in the military now, I've witnessed essentially two extremes with the way people handle and cope with stress/anxiety.

Some are consumed with it, while others seem to accept it as a simply a part of a sometimes very dynamic and unpredictable profession.

So, what is it for you?

In a time of rapid force shaping/draw down, it seems like stress and anxiety have become commonplace amongst many servicemembers. Futures seem to be uncertain, whether in relation to critical professional milestones like promotion (or hope for promotion), disciplinary actions (pending and possible impacts on future), thoughts of separation....

....or, these could possibly be related to things like, perhaps, embarking on a new position, uncertainty of how to handle a very challenging and complex situation (with a subordinate Soldier? or boss?), waiting for results of something (school? promotion? an exam/test?), etc...

What causes YOU stress/anxiety, and how have you coped with it?

I'd be lying if I didn't say that I have, personally, experienced some stress and anxiety throughout my career. As a type-A personality--as I suspect many Soldiers, especially officers and Senior NCOs are--I flourished in environments where I feel like I have 'control'. Unfortunately, there always seems to be an air of unpredictability related to alot of things in the military, and that unpredictability, at least to me, translates into a feeling like I don't necessarily 'control' certain things (processes, outcomes, etc).

Feel free to share as a little or as much as you feel comfortable with.

Personally, I've found that alot of Servicemembers DO have these feelings, however, I think they somehow manage to compartmentalize them and not allow them to really surface.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 10 at 2015 12:00 PM

SFC Stephen King — Sun, 10 May 2015 12:00:59 -0400

I found the best way to combat stress is to find a hobby. I lift and garden...

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made May 10 at 2015 12:04 PM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Sun, 10 May 2015 12:04:35 -0400

For me it wasn't something so harsh as combat or losing my place in the service.... I was NJP'd for something I didn't do. This was hard because I have never done anything in my life that was not "legal" and I had not this time. I had thought the military was more conscientious then that and more respectful of it's members.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2015 1:04 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 May 2015 13:04:03 -0400

I hate to admit it, but marching troops/D&C creates quite a bit of anxiety. For better or worse, this just isn't done much if at all in most RC units (at least the 4 I have been with). Even at NCOES it was not really more complicated then Right Face, Forward March down the path to the academy, then File From the Left/Right into the classroom.

For some reason, however, when I am out there in control, I suddenly can't remember my left and right. I don't ever actively think "I am going to turn right" or "turn left" at an intersection during the normal course of my day; I just inherently know that I am turning in a direction, without putting a name on it. So often I find myself marching with these calls: "Column left..as you were....Column Right" or visa versa. At least my mistakes are still called on the correct step.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2015 1:12 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 May 2015 13:12:11 -0400

I will be completely honest in that I am an anxious person by nature. I am also a perfectionist who stresses about everything being just right. I actually look at both stress and anxiety as being positive rather than a negative. My stress and anxiety help prepare me for the task at hand. If I wasn't stressed or anxious to some extent about completing a project, I would probably produce something substandard. My stress and anxiety forces me to go above and beyond which has significantly helped me in my 10+ year career.

For those worried about stress, take a look at this great TED Talk from Psychologist Kelly, McGonigal.

How to make stress your friend

Stress. It makes your heart pound, your breathing quicken and your forehead sweat. But while stress has been made into a public health enemy, new research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal urges us to see stress as a positive, and introduces us to an unsung mechanism for stress reduction: reaching out to others.

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made May 10 at 2015 1:17 PM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Sun, 10 May 2015 13:17:18 -0400

In-processing/out-processing/PCS

Response by SGT Scott Byrne made May 10 at 2015 2:03 PM

SGT Scott Byrne — Sun, 10 May 2015 14:03:30 -0400

Stress caused by financial worries and Always being deployed caused stress And now since I am out I have learned that I have PTSD Always wondered why I changed when I came home. My wife did not know me before I went to War But now I am trying to learn how to wade through the VA system. Any ideas how to deal with this PTSD ? People and my work think I am crazy or something is wrong with me.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2015 10:04 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 May 2015 22:04:13 -0400

Is this a trick question? LOL! Of course I experience stress, hell, who doesn't? My way of dealing with it is fitness and family!

Response by SPC Sukronni Bennett made Dec 6 at 2016 12:01 PM

SPC Sukronni Bennett — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 12:01:47 -0500

For me, a lot causes anxiety. Sometimes it comes without warning. I really dont know how to explain it....

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2019 1:25 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 13:25:03 -0500

As a combat veteran I have flashbacks. Even when I cannot see a link I sometimes feel intense anger to hit out when I cannot see a stressor .