Multiple deployments to Afghanistan.

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 21:10:38 -0500

Has your personality, mood, behavior and what not changed dramatically since your last/recent deployment ? I know I am no longer who I used to be.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2014 9:13 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 21:13:07 -0500

I forgot who I was before deployments

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2014 9:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 21:14:10 -0500

Brother I think that would be answered different for each AO I was in Kunar and Kandahar total different feeling coming home from the two. I think things change in you each time you deploy I would not say specifically it was Afghanistan. If you are not feeling right man get BehavHealth

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Jan 8 at 2014 9:43 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 21:43:10 -0500

I deployed in
2007, and my Husband took care of our three sons. I am
an ENFP for Myer Briggs folks, and when I came back I was antsy wanted to go, go, couldn't tolerate the kids whining or screaming.

I immediately noticed that I needed quiet, and I
could
participate in trips that the Wounded Warrior and Operation Purple made available.

When my Sons went to Operation Purple (free Summer Camp) for the children of veterans who have been deployed. I started reading, and taking college classes, and this is what I found out about me.

I am a talker and while deployed, I went into
a grip mode my personality changed in order to fit in with the group dynamics. I had to take Tylenol PM to go to sleep since I was living with 80 women in
an open bay. I shut down when people talk a long time and I had a need to have them get to the point.

The repressed memories of my childhood started flooding, and I started remembering childhood trauma that I wasn't aware of. I was irritable and distanced myself from my family. I realized that I come from generations of veterans, my father served in WWII, Grand Father in Korea and Uncles in Vietnam.

I had intergenerational PTSD, and I
could
go
to the VA and get
into a program. I didn't realize that not only did I have PTSD, but my children were impacted because I was reactionary and didn't have patience.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Jan 9 at 2014 11:58 AM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:58:55 -0500

SSG(P) Przkezlowski: I commend you for bringing this elephant in the room. It is important that we as veterans create an environment of empathy to share our internal struggles. This prevents us from thinking that we are alone and no one understands us. Let the truth be told many have the same struggles we choose not to face the changes in our personality, mood, and behavior.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2014 5:00 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 17:00:05 -0500

Deployments are a life changing event, regardless of where you are sent or what job you are assigned.  Every Soldier will react to it and be affected by it in different ways.  What you must understand is that you WILL change as a result of your experiences and, as others have mentioned, your family and friends are going to change, too.  I used to scoff at the concept of reintigration after a deployment but I have now come to realize that it is a necessary and, sometimes, painful process that every deployed Soldier has to go through if they are going to get back to a normal life.  What is most critical is seeing the signs that the changes might be spinning out of control; temper, mood swings, mild depression, agitation are normal after redeployment but when they start to interfere with your relationships, your job, or your day to day life, it is time to get help.

Response by SGT Christopher Barker made Jan 9 at 2014 6:32 PM

SGT Christopher Barker — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 18:32:20 -0500

Your not alone brother.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2014 10:35 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 22:35:47 -0500

SSG Przeszowski,

I have to agree with CPT McCormick, change is inevitable when it comes to deployments. I have noticed several changes in my attitude, demeanor, and emotional state, and it changes with each deployment. The key things to remember are that there is a support system available for those that are experiencing difficulty, and that we must have the backs of our fellow service members should they need someone to lean on. There is less of a stigma with seeking help for these issues in todays military, and it is imperative that we leave none of our comrades to feel alone or like they are without an outet.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Jan 9 at 2014 11:48 PM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 23:48:41 -0500

Navy does Deployments, as a rule, as an entire ship or squadron. This makes our experience a little different than some Army, or AF deployments. Another BIG difference is the transition time or our return and the services offered (no mandated) as a ship transitions back to it's home port. Normally we have people from different areas ride the ship presenting classes and counseling sessions on return to CONUS and "normal" life. These can range from what to expect in family reunions including things like which parent does what, who handles financial decisions, discipline, etc. State Troopers often ride to explain changes in traffic laws and even offer safe driving courses. Psychological counseling and other services may be offered as needed, etc.

In addition, many ships are able to offer "Tiger Cruises" where some family members are allowed to fly over to the last overseas port and ride back to the homeport with their family member. This has been a tremendous program over the years.

All of these programs have made return from overseas deployment less stressful, but members still have to be careful and monitor themselves and their Shipmates. Vigilance pays off in better mental health and lower PTSD for returning Sailors.. It happens, but we work to recognize and minimize the aftereffects.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2014 2:27 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 02:27:21 -0500

I know we're talking mentally, and I think we can all agree that something changes each time we leave to put ourselves in harms way. I think this project (some of you might have seen it) illustrates the changes we think of in a powerful way.

"While the emotional repercussions of war aren't easy to measure, the before, during, and after pictures of soldiers who have seen combat tell a pretty unsettling story. There's something mesmerizing about these photographs, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Photographer Lalage Snow has captured something really interesting."

http://www.upworthy.com/mesmerizing-photographs-of-soldiers-faces-before-and-after-a-war

Mesmerizing Photographs Of Soldiers' Faces Before And After A War

The faces of soldiers who have seen combat tell a pretty unsettling story.