How WAS combat; if you care to talk about it. (I served during the Cold War.)

I am under the VA care and the best thing that I ever did for my PTSD was to write my book "UNIFORMS". I never talked about my experiences in Vietnam, but I was able to write about it! Best therapy ever!

Sgt David G Duchesneau - I write a bit but haven't made it to a whole book yet - even though I already have a title. I learned this as therapy after reading the book "The Dirty Bird" by W. Steelman. He was an AmTrac'r in Vietnam and said he found the only way to exorcize his demons was to write about those experiences. So I said OK, I'll try that.

WOW, David!! You found YOUR OWN THERAPY! You are very rare; in my mind.
I tell most people with mental health issues; that seeking mental health care; is PARAMOUNT! (They don't always agree with me.)
I have groups on Facebook for Veterans/Active Duty. I tell them that I am just the Coach; and that they should seek help from a mental health professional.

I'm sure you all have heard it before. Hours of boredom while sweating and walking or freezing during a monsoon while at a night logger. Then, suddenly a fierce, mind numbing period of absolute insanity. I actually didn't get scared by this until after I had some down time and then I would shake like a dog trying pass peach seeds. This still happens occasionally. Even though I have been going to therapy for some time. I'm not as bad as I used to be but every now and then something will happen that will send me back. I wish I had sought counseling long before I started. But with the command frowning on it I didn't start until about ten years ago. So all of you out there take a little advise from one who has experienced it. Get help!

Yes, Sergeant, it does make sense. You must have been VERY scared after it was over. You are Very BRAVE; SGT Dana Williams.

I was young, dumb, but I don't think I was all that brave. Most of the time, I was too inexperienced to know what I was getting into.

It sure as hell does to me brother with one exception, I, at times, especially while walking point as a FNG (fu-king new guy), and those damn "night acts" made me feel very afraid and yes, I too felt scared shit less many of times and I am not afraid to admit that. Hell, I was only 18 years old. Who wouldn't be? But I can also say that when the shit hit the fan, as it did so damn many times, the adrenalin and my instinct to survive took over and I did what I was trained to do.

It must have been VERY SCARY; CPT (Join to see). GOD bless you for protecting and defending this great country of ours.