Does or has anyone felt a feeling of restlessness after they separated from active duty?

Everyone has made some great points that I agree with. I just want to add my two cents because of one major point. This feeling of isolation or restlessness you feel never really goes away. I have been off active duty for five years now and just about everyday I ask myself what I can do to get that camaraderie and feeling of worth back. I don't regret my decision to separate (after living a dependent's life overseas it is something I personally did not want my family to deal with) it is just a nagging feeling due to the missed connections you make in military service. These types of sites, volunteering, staying in touch, etc. all might help to make it a little less apparent; but that feeling is always there.

I understand what you're feeling. I felt the same way for a while after retirement. A weekend at a lake with a cooler, rod and reel has been known to work wonders! If that's not your thing, take up a new hobby that has nothing to do with your former routine. It will never entirely go away (and I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing) because the military, for most of us, becomes a part of who we are, and who we will be for the rest of our lives.

Restlessness? Maybe, but it has gotten better over the past 22 years.
Uselessness? Absolutely, and it has gotten worse over the last 22 years.
The civilian world sucks. No sense of duty, honor, country. All the civilian world cares about is advancing their own agenda, regardless of who they destroy along the way.

I retired in '07 and while I do not miss the politics or the “BS”, but the camaraderie and teamwork I do not think I will ever experience again.

Outside, people go home at 5 o'clock to other people, in the military, the ones you work with are you neighbors.

I also get frustrated when I hear people complaining about stuff. Those 99%'ers have no idea how good they have it. They do not understand what a great privilege it is just to be able to protest! To have an education, a WalMart on every corner, fast food, wifi everywhere, cars, gas, hell just reliable electricity.

Sorry, rant off...

So now I work at bringing some of those core military values to my new work place. We will care for each other. We will uphold our standards. We will do better tomorrow than today.

Will it ever be the same? No, but I can make it better.

I've been retired for four years. I still miss the camaraderie I had as an active duty member. I can't get used to the slower pace of life as a civilian. I have that same restless feeling as well.

I work about 18 to 20 hours out of the day to keep my my occupied and I went to SMCR after active duty due to not being able to 100% adapt to the civilian lifestyle

I'm so glad I found this question even though it's a few years old but I feel the exact same thing. I have my continuing mental health care from when I was active through the VA and I have a job but just feel a mix between restlessness and lost in the civilian world. I feel like I just don't belong and wonder how long it will be until they find out that I don't really fit. I just miss that camaraderie.

It's been almost 4 years for me and I still have it. Less now with the job I have, but there are times! I have two kids, a spouse, full time job, and am thinking about going back to school for my Masters. Like I have time for that! There's something about serving in the military that instills an "I can always do better" attitude.

Nope but I like flying again. Nobody handing me plane ticket telling me I have to be here or there. I do it now to see my Grandchildren.

I started school and then stopped drinking. I would say that not drinking anymore saved my life and I will probably never drink again, but I do puzzles and play video games now. I work when I want to but most of all enjoy the little things in life.