Posted on Sep 10, 2017
Since leaving the military, what have you struggled with the most?
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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.
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Substance Use
Substance Use
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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.
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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.
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SGT David T.
MSG Dan Castaneda - The funny thing is I tried really hard to compartmentalize when I was in. Turns out I wasn't very good at it. On hindsight, I wish I would have recognized that a bit sooner so that it would have been easier when I got out.
As challenging as it was, it was also fun. I never imagined I would get a Bachelors degree let alone a Masters since I dropped out of high school. I never appreciated a sun set until I got out. I even found some hobbies that I really enjoy that don't involve large amounts of alcohol. lol
As challenging as it was, it was also fun. I never imagined I would get a Bachelors degree let alone a Masters since I dropped out of high school. I never appreciated a sun set until I got out. I even found some hobbies that I really enjoy that don't involve large amounts of alcohol. lol
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MSG Dan Castaneda
SGT David T. - That's great man. I applaud you for seeking higher learning. Earning a Master's degree is definitely a goal of mine. While I have never been much of a drinker, I can only hope to be cool and collective enough for a smooth transition. I work with some fine gentleman and am not looking forward to working with the unmotivated common air breathers we call civilians. My only hope is to come back to work for the same organization I do now as a civilian. That may be good, or bad, who knows. All I know, is that I'm going to hang out for a little bit longer in uniform until I know for sure what it is I want to do. Good luck to you.
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SFC Adam Mathers
This is so accurate. I just retired 01 May and started working as a DA Civilian this month and I find myself forgetting I'm not still in uniform. I still have very much a "them" attitude about my coworkers because they're civilians, yet I'm one of them now.
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SGT David T.
SFC Adam Mathers - As am I. I don't have the us/them mentality is just us. Then again I work for USACE and we are a little different than most DACs lol.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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.
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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!
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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.
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MAJ (Join to see)
SFC William Stephens A. Jr., - I would say that I definitely had some post traumatic stress, but I don't think it ever became a disorder. It never interfered with my life in a way that kept me from living it in the way in which I wanted to. For instance, crowds could cause some stress, but it never kept me from going to airports or ballgames or stuff like that. And over time I have seen all the symptoms diminish a great deal. By the grace of God I have never had a problem with drugs or alcohol, kept full time employment, started and continue to have a happy, successful marriage and family, etc. I have wondered though as I had a break in service and am now back in if going through that again will be different. Time will tell I suppose.
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Alcohol...tried to kill myself with it right after I was discharged. Been clean and sober since 98.
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SSG Robert "Rob" Wentworth
AWESOME job Jeff!
Transitioning is tough on a ton of us, and in SO many different ways Brother...
Keep on trucking...
Transitioning is tough on a ton of us, and in SO many different ways Brother...
Keep on trucking...
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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.
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