Have Vietnam Vets who stayed on active duty coped with things better than those who got out straight out of Nam?

1SG Billye Jackson I served for two years after I returned from Vietnam. As mentioned by SSgt Terry P., being with fellow brothers helped. For most of us, we will have various things to deal with for the rest of our lives.

1SG Billye Jackson No doubt the contact was a factor.You were less alienated from everyone.Civilians had no idea and couldn't relate.

For me I served 3 years and ETS and went to college. I tried to hold a part time job and go to school at the same time. It didn't work out. I quit school and worked different jobs, never satisfied. I went back in and retired after 20 years. I had no PTSD problems while active. The dreams and the job hopping started all over again soon upon retirement plus I could not find a decent job at the time, just construction. A friend of mine from Vietnam looked me up and told me I had PTSD. I didn't believe it at first and went to a counselor that confirmed it after more than a dozen jobs in a year. I tried the VA which was bull shit. I talked with another close friend that was a Vietnam Veteran and told me to work; Work till you drop dead. It will help and for me it does. The best years of my retirement life was working in Iraq for 5 years. Now I work 2 security jobs part time. The dreams never go away but the frustration with people does not bother me. Man was born to work and a Soldier never fades away, he battles the pain that resulted from his service and drives on. I am a Soldier for Life.