The hardest challenge you face when coming back home from deployment? Work, school, family or just life?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 11:00:58 -0500

I've been in the military for 5 years, this is my first deployment. With less than 2 months left, my unit had a class about redeployment and the challenges that we may face. I would like to know what my brothers and sisters feel is hardest for them. All responses are welcome.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jan 7 at 2014 11:02 AM

SSG Robert Burns — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 11:02:22 -0500

My hardest thing was getting back to the norms. Not flying down the highway, not being suspect of all the trash on the side of the road, not analyzing eveyrone I see in Walmart. Just trying to take it down a notch.

Oh yea and not looking for my weapon every 3 minutes.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 7 at 2014 11:20 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 11:20:47 -0500

For me it was waking up in the middle of the night and trying to figure out where my weapon was...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2014 11:30 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 11:30:30 -0500

The hardest part for me involved my family. I had been the disciplinarian before I deployed but my wife had to take that role over in my absence. I had to learn to step aside and slowly put myself back into that role without both my wife and kids resenting me for it. I also had to realize that my wife found things to occupy her time while I was gone so I couldn't expect her to just do things the way we had in the past. Your daily rituals don't turn back to what they used to be for some time if ever. Stand back, watch how your family functions and find out where you fit in and try to make things easier for them rather than trying to force yourself in where you would like.

Response by CPT Mike M. made Jan 7 at 2014 3:04 PM

CPT Mike M. — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 15:04:18 -0500

Looking people in the eyes during conversations. During deployment I got in the habit of not looking at people but constantly looking and observing everything going on around me. Other than that I had pretty quiet deployments so nothing too drastic. Work was a pain though in a different way. Going through reset, tracking people's ETS and PCS dates, making sure everyone's awards and evals were good to go was administratively a big pain.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2014 9:38 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 21:38:33 -0500

The Hardest part for my was that the fact I felt like everything had changed in my house. My wife had the duel role will I was gone and never had to ask what my opinion was about something. If my son wanted something she would say yes or no with out asking what I thought. But when something negative happened it would be I had to deal with this for a year now its your turn. The best advise I can give you brother is take everything one day at a time and everything will fall back into its place.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2014 9:49 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 21:49:06 -0500

Once you're home everything seems to be going at a slower pace. Plus, you have to get used to the 'normalcy' of being home - not being in an 'alert' state of mind every second of the day. One bonus though if your married - they find out what all you do everyday - so they have a greater appreciation for what you did.