Steel City Vets: “I really should…”

2015-06-01T12:38:18-04:00

As a working "30-something professional" and just as a human being, I find myself thinking, "I really should..." quite often. But at what point does someone go from "I really should…" to "I really will"? What triggers the switch that goes off in someone’s mind to take thoughts and move them to actions? Is it always smart to take some thoughts from pen and paper to reality?

About 4 years ago, I found myself sitting in Pittsburgh feeling alone only a few years removed from the Army where I had spent the last 8.5 years. I was having a hard time connecting with people around me because they couldn't fully understand what I been through. The sights, the sounds, and the smells - all were foreign to them, and the "normal things" for them were foreign to me. I was struggling to find my footing in the new world I suddenly found myself in.

With life going down a dark slope, I started looking for answers. After not being able to find any that felt right, I started thinking, "I really should create an organization to fill this need." A few months later, still unhappy with the lack of support I was getting, the light went off and I turned thought into action by creating an organization with the purpose to help provide the support/peer mentorship/physical connection I was lacking. Not only has the organization been able to help others, but it has also helped me. It gave me the things I was looking for. I have a place to go and talk with people. I am able to connect with other Veterans who understand what it is like to be where I was and do what I did. The sights, the sounds, the smells are not foreign to them. We are able to connect on a level that my friends that never served cannot. It is still important to maintain these civilian friendships, but I'm able to now call upon around 200 other Veterans right here in the area and get help, advice or vent when things get hard.

There are plenty of other examples of taking "I really should..." and making it "I really will". Look at all the inventors who had an idea, worked for months/years to perfect the idea, and now we live in a world with their solutions. Making the shift from "I really should..." to "I really will..." isn't easy. The time, the energy, and the money it takes isn't always easy, but in the long run, when a good idea moves from paper to action, the payout can be more than you have ever thought of.

For more information on Steel City Vets, please visit steelcityvets.org.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 1 at 2015 1:29 PM

2015-06-01T13:29:10-04:00

All soldiers in all wars feel that they return to a world that has changed when, in fact, it is they who have changed. Ultimately, they have to decide if they should attempt to revert to what they once were or move ahead to live in their new selves. Either way, it helps to share the journey. Congratulations on building an organization for that purpose. That's what leadership is all about...

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 1:31 PM

2015-06-01T13:31:41-04:00

Awesome Good on you for starting a program where you saw something was lacking

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Jun 1 at 2015 4:04 PM

2015-06-01T16:04:11-04:00

SGT Keen
Congratulations on doing what many people dream about but never do. And thank you for the encouragement to many of us who have an idea but have not yet acted on it. Maybe your message will get us off our collective rears and bring to Life something that will help others. I wish I knew who started Rally Point, I just discovered it in March of this year and I think it is awesome!
Rick

Response by PO2 Eric Pope made Jun 1 at 2015 5:19 PM

2015-06-01T17:19:49-04:00

Outstanding.

I suspect I am a little older, thus experienced the same post service difficulties a little earlier than you; the relevance being that social media was nonexistent or just in it's infancy and I never really shook the feeling of isolation until I hooked up with shipmates on Facebook a couple of years ago. However, I found some relief in getting involved with tasks that utilized familiar skill sets as the ones I used in the military.

Did you know you can shoot the "Known Distance Rifle Course," 200 y standing offhand, 200 y sitting rapid fire, 300 y prone rapid fire, and 600 yard slow fire, with an AR15 as a civilian? I got involved with NRA High Power Rifle COmpetition (aka Across the Course) and found like minded people from all branches. I still shoot at least twice a month and will continue to until I'm no longer able.

I also got a HAM radio license which offers a host of activities ranging from the technical side of building radios and antennas to 4x4 search and find, (geo-cashing outings). I welcome vets to explore the hobby as a source of recreation.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 1 at 2015 7:38 PM

2015-06-01T19:38:38-04:00

Fantastic!

I think also that the use of Social Media can help to create a network of Brothers we can call upon in the event that we just may need a brother.