Ever stop yourself from sharing a story because you think nobody will believe it?

SGT Richard H., happens to me occasionally, but what I find myself frequently doing is trying to explain the background of the story so they could comprehend (last time I looked at the stats, less that 1 in 8 of all Americans have had any military service).

Nothing worse then having to explain the 'why' behind what you are saying.

That is why we only tell the stories to other Vets...

SGT Richard Hanner, There are plenty of stories I used to tell but most people look at me like why the heck would anyone do that? Why would you luagh at someone falling on their butt while jumping out a window when y'all were in a fight? I say because it was funny. And they just look at me like I am a idiot.

There is a program, I forget the name of it now, but they have people that will sit with you one on one and never say a word, they just hear you out no judgment, no note taking. Don't know if it works or not. If I feel like I need to talk about it, I go to the VFW get a drink and talk to the last few WWII vets and the Vietnam vets.

This has happened many times, but like you, I have not shared the story because those who would hear it, do not have a shared experience for comparison. When you think about it, those of us who have seen combat, share a unique experience that only others with the same experience can understand. You are right, it is a surreal recollection and sometimes I find myself thinking about it in those terms. Did I really do that and live to tell the story? Of course, the answer is yes, but it is so intense, it takes on the quality of a movie, and those who have not shared our experiences, might view it in that context. The only people I talk to about Vietnam are Vietnam vets. We understand what we experienced and saw and can give each other solice where no one else can.

Either that or I don't feel like they'd understand or appreciate it even though I found it absolutely hilarious.

Yeah this happened a few weeks ago. But it kills the story when you have to give back story and why.

Every day. People would just never get the circumstances leading up to it. The punch lines takes too much to set up.

Like....."so I stole a Russian crane." or "I never seen a guy poop that much in my life while in a 5 ton."

You can't make that stuff up.

The unfortunate facts are that most people have no point of reference for the things we do, and as such simply can't image anything which so challenges their sense of reality.

Yes, I have experienced this. Your right no one can understand... Sometimes I tell the story anyway, other times I just sit silent. That's where groups like this or the VFW or something are great!

SGT Hanner, what you are experiencing is very real, very common, and very normal. The Profession of Arms is unlike any other profession in the world, most of us come to this realization very early in our careers and begin to 'compartmentalize' experiences that we feel only those with a similar background could comprehend, and then 'tuck them away'.
The real issue is that no matter how hard we try to keep these memories tucked away, there will be times when things will invoke those memories and cause them to come to the surface.
What you need to know is that it's OK to talk about these things. Find someone who you are comfortable with, a friend, relative, clergy, medical professional, and share.