Posted on Mar 9, 2015
How were you treated after you got home from a combat deployment?
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We all know how Korean and Vietnam Vets were treated when they came home. I'm interested in how you were treated. Was it a great reunion, sort of, or not at all?
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Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 24
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SGT (Join to see)
I participated in the initial invasion during OIF I and the return home was pretty ho hum. I would say about the same as coming back in from a long field problem.
The five tours after that were ridiculously different. Marching into some big redeployment building while music was blaring and people cheering. The general talking like he was some UFC ring announcer. I actually preferred the first one over the rest, at that point you just want to go home, get some chow, see the family, and get some much needed sleep.
I participated in the initial invasion during OIF I and the return home was pretty ho hum. I would say about the same as coming back in from a long field problem.
The five tours after that were ridiculously different. Marching into some big redeployment building while music was blaring and people cheering. The general talking like he was some UFC ring announcer. I actually preferred the first one over the rest, at that point you just want to go home, get some chow, see the family, and get some much needed sleep.
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I had a horrible reunion. Textbook sad story. This is personal, but I want to share.
I got off the plane and was really looking forward to seeing my then-significant other and newborn son. You know, that moment you turn the corner and get a little excited to see your family waiting in the wings? Maybe even with a cheesy banner or tee shirts? Yeah...no.
She was 45 minutes late. No remorse. No apologies. Annoyed. No hug. No kiss. Not even a smile. She just handed me the keys as she walked over to the passenger's side.
Come to find out she felt I had abondoned her during my deployment. Apparently, I should have tried to avoid it as opposed to be excited by it.
Typical "girl cheats on Soldier" story. However, instant karma was applied. That's another story in itself, but a page turner!
She
I got off the plane and was really looking forward to seeing my then-significant other and newborn son. You know, that moment you turn the corner and get a little excited to see your family waiting in the wings? Maybe even with a cheesy banner or tee shirts? Yeah...no.
She was 45 minutes late. No remorse. No apologies. Annoyed. No hug. No kiss. Not even a smile. She just handed me the keys as she walked over to the passenger's side.
Come to find out she felt I had abondoned her during my deployment. Apparently, I should have tried to avoid it as opposed to be excited by it.
Typical "girl cheats on Soldier" story. However, instant karma was applied. That's another story in itself, but a page turner!
She
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PO2 Jw Chadwick
My last and 4th deployment directly after 9/11? I saw Soo many married sailors become single parents bc the spouses "Couldn't handle" the 10-11 month deployment. Yet, these gals never had a problem blowing through thier spouses entire paycheck which included lots of experts tax free special pays each month. 1sailor I know even came home to cold, empty apartment with his dog barely surviving bc his wife put the dog in a bathroom,with 1 bag of of food and a toilet to drink out of.. Eventually, a warrant was issued for her arrest out of state for animal cruelty... Saw sailors drink themselves into oblivion over being abandoned and entirely broke after these deployments.. I'd never suggest marrying or having children while active duty. 50%+ divorce rates scream the reality.
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SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM
Upon my return it took me two weeks to recover once I returned.
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I stood proudly in front of my formation, surveyed an array of ecstatic family members who couldn't wait to run out and hug their Soldiers.
And then I saw my wife.
I grinned from ear to ear, momentarily losing my military bearing.
But she looked down.
And I knew.
She was the only one there who wasn't happy we were there.
Some truly hard things have happened since, but right then and there I knew that it would never be the same.
And then I saw my wife.
I grinned from ear to ear, momentarily losing my military bearing.
But she looked down.
And I knew.
She was the only one there who wasn't happy we were there.
Some truly hard things have happened since, but right then and there I knew that it would never be the same.
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MSgt Jamie Lyons
I'm sorry to hear that. I know how you feel though. The same thing happened to me about my 13th year. Came home to find out about my wife and best friend. It hurt bad. I can say it is better now and I am much happier. Time heals a lot, but I never forgot.
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1SG (Join to see)
No, SSG James J. Palmer IV it has not gotten better.
Full meltdown. It is very, very bad. I am working toward a decent resolution. But it will not be a good ride.
Looks like I will be a single father.
Full meltdown. It is very, very bad. I am working toward a decent resolution. But it will not be a good ride.
Looks like I will be a single father.
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PO2 Jw Chadwick
1SG (Join to see) If you have kids together? Then I can understand working it out. However if not?? No time for Disloyal family sellouts is my view on family who have pulled similar behavior. Only wished I'd have told my father's wife where to stick it when I met her at age 5, not wait 44 years. Send her packing bc giving in to someone who isn't in your corner? While you were away paying the bills, providing?? Doesn't entitle them the right to give you such grief bc they mightve felt "Alone" while you were away.. She very well understood that aspect when entering the marriage. I'm sorry this sounds Soo blunt, but you have to look out for you, others won't and sometimes that includes disloyal spouses who need kicking to the curb.
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PO2 Jw Chadwick
MSgt Jamie Lyons That happened to me on my 3rd deployment. Came home to find my wife 4 mos prego after I'd been away 9 mos.. Sent her packing via a 1 way United airlines ticket that same nite. No time for traitors.
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