I’m having a hard time transitioning back to civilian life; I miss my Marines and the whole lifestyle. Any help?

It is hard for all of us, I believe... LCpl Jonathan Bailey

Time is your ally

I don't know what you are missing. For me it was the sense of higher purpose, the adrenaline rush, and the camaraderie. It took a while crack the code (10 years). Then I joined a volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad.

In a lot of ways it is similar to the military. In a lot of ways it is not, much less formal and at least in out squad it doesn't matter what your rank is, everyone pitches in. But it did the trick.

In my rural county, there is a real shortage of firefighters and EMT's. I had to serve a six month probation period, where there is not much but menial "housekeeping" duties, on-scene traffic control, and exterior fire suppression; if we were real short on people for a call.

Once I had proven that I was committed by making weekly training meetings and a decent per cent of calls (25% in our case, although I and all the squad hit about 75%+) the Township Authority paid for my Firefighter 1 course. Another six months and I went to firefighter 2. I showed a talent for running the pumper and went to Firefighter Engineer two months after Firefighter 2. The township would have paid for me to go to Medical First Responder, but that was where my interest really was, so I took EMT Basic while I was on probation on my own dime, but once I passed probation and Firefighter 1, they reimbursed me for EMT Basic. After 2 years I took EMT Advance life support on the township's dime and became a paramedic.

I feel like I am contributing. I'm doing something that many cannot or will not. Plus I now know almost everybody in the community, about 1900 people by name. Before joining the squad, after 10 year I doubt if knew 50 people by name.

If you are near a volunteer Fire and Rescue Department... join it. I am both a firefighter and an EMT. Its not the same as being in the military. In some ways its better. In some ways it falls short. But it fills that need to serve. It fills the need for an adrenalin rush. And you certainly develop a sense of camaraderie and brotherhood after facing the Dragon on your hands and knees to pull a person or for that matter a pet from the belly of the dragon.

As an EMT, I've been on the CPR team for 4 saves. And I've delivered six babies. I've also had some losses.

Structure in my daily life was what I needed even though I hate it i thrive from it

Get a job with DoD.

I had to start my own business. Still working on it but it's coming along.

ya, take one day at a time. You will never find an other organization where you'll have the bonds you did in the corps, but you can still serve in other areas, such as law enforcement and find a brotherhood there.

Go into a trade and you’ll be surrounded by vets out of the 8 guys I work with 4 of us are vets. Made my transition much easier.

Miss the Navy every...single...day.

It is hard to beat having a unit to belong to, a common goal bound by uncompromising values, expectations and honored traditions. Hell-it's fun too. You work hard, play hard, and get to do both while enjoying the knowledge you belong to one of the most respected institutions in the world.

Then, one day, you look around and notice that you're different...not better or worse, just different. You stay in one place for long enough, around the same folks, doing the same routine; well...it becomes something valuable too.

A few years back, I looked at that old photo of me with the guys in the 'Stan and knew I wasn't that guy anymore. That stung until I looked at other photos, of the woman who chose to love me and stay with me through the hard times, and the little boy who looks a lot like me and loves watching "Octonauts".

It ain't easy, and there's lots of hard trails to walk my friend, but trust me...it GROWS on you.