Since leaving the military, what have you struggled with the most?

2017-09-10T15:04:32-04:00

For the longest time, for me, it was drugs and alcohol. I went through a period of time after separation that could only be described as rock bottom.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Sep 10 at 2017 6:53 PM

2017-09-10T18:53:20-04:00

Short temper. Prior to being in the military, and especially me second deployment, I was known for *never* getting angry. Afterwards, though, I have struggled to not lose my temper at even small things.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Sep 10 at 2017 7:03 PM

2017-09-10T19:03:37-04:00

For me it's still sudden loud noises, crowds, and being in unfamiliar areas. And then, if I get past all of that, it's the nagging feeling that I just don't belong anymore.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2017 8:17 PM

2017-09-10T20:17:34-04:00

I have suffered with constant anxiety and I do not like crowds. Loud noises are extremely bothersome. I have no patience for folks and their petty concerns and B.S.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Sep 10 at 2017 10:50 PM

2017-09-10T22:50:26-04:00

Most of my struggles have faded over the years,but still have anxiety periods and am uneasy in unfamiliar situations or locations ,AA helps me greatly one day at a time

Response by PO2 Jeff Blakely made Sep 11 at 2017 5:02 AM

2017-09-11T05:02:45-04:00

Alcohol...tried to kill myself with it right after I was discharged. Been clean and sober since 98.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 11 at 2017 7:11 AM

2017-09-11T07:11:09-04:00

Mine was figuring out who I was. I never realized when I was in, how much the military was part of who I was. I knew who Sergeant Thomas was but it took me a while to figure out who David was. I think that is thing that no transition program can ever help with. It is something we all have to figure out for ourselves.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2017 9:38 AM

2017-09-11T09:38:32-04:00

Loud noises and crowds like others have stated. I also had nightmares for 2 solid years after deployment. With few exceptions I was either killed in them or left for dead in the middle of the street (this was more common). I thank God that the nightmares diminished with time and are very rare now.

Response by SSgt Holden M. made Sep 11 at 2017 11:34 AM

2017-09-11T11:34:56-04:00

I totally agree with quite a few of everybody's comments. Loud noises, crowds, disrespect-actual or perceived. And a feeling like I just don't quite belong and that the civilian people I know just aren't the same caliber as the military friends I had. But I'm going to a peer support group that I found through some publicity they left at the va clinic I go to and I also have joined the Masons since it's a great fraternity and the quality and caliber of Masons are/should be better then the average person. Plus it helps that my grandfather and dad are masons at the same lodge that I joined through.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2017 7:49 AM

2017-09-12T07:49:39-04:00

SGT Joseph Gunderson, after leaving the military, I became a Federal Technician and I struggle with the quasi-military structure, lack of discipline in many respects (not all), and the back-and-forth between serving as a dual-status Soldier/civilian.

Response by 1stSgt Mack Housman made Sep 12 at 2017 8:09 AM

2017-09-12T08:09:50-04:00

I hate crowds and by that, I mean over 6-10 people. I hate fireworks (and any other sort of sudden loud noise) and I hate the petty BS that we call a "Politically correct" society! PC is very rarely correct in my mind!

Response by AA Joseph Moody made Sep 12 at 2017 8:45 AM

2017-09-12T08:45:19-04:00

That would be my family, they are filled with the crazy, the drama and the evil.
But aside from that...petty BS and idealist who don't do their own heavy lifting. I'll be the first to say that the Navy did more for me than I did for the Navy, but with that being said I've found I have this place in my heart for people who whine about things that they have never tried to change with their own sweat and blood.
Next is the people who cry about unfairness when they have not even exploited what opportunity that they do have. When I went back to school I had to deal with some students who were pissed about the GI bill money I was getting, because they felt it was "free", and when I got to know them I found out that while I raised my right hand right out of highschool that they sat at home and played video games while smoking some pot and drinking some beer...How do you respect the opinion of someone who sucks on their parents tit for almost a decade after high school and only goes to college because they need a way to avoid getting kicked out of their parents home.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Sep 13 at 2017 9:10 AM

2017-09-13T09:10:25-04:00

PTSD

Response by PVT Michael Davis made Oct 5 at 2023 3:42 AM

2023-10-05T03:42:49-04:00

I to had a problem, mine was undiagnosed Bipolar Axis II. The Mania was like being on Crystal Meth, the Depression was so deep and dark I thought I would never see the light again. After several suicidal experiences the VA was there for me when the available resources in the private sector were not.

I thank everyone in the Veterans Administration for all the support and resources given to me! I went from homeless substance abuser to being HUD-VASH veteran and got my own place, work for a non-profit whose MISSION (civilians do not understand the real meaning of THE MISSION!) it is to house homeless veterans, get them resources like food, jobs, and a sense of purpose!