For Most Vets, PTSD Isn’t The Problem, ‘Transition Stress’ Is. Here’s What That Means

I've said for years that we constantly talk about the "Culture shock" of entering the service, but neglect the "Culture Shock" or reintegration. When we depart, we are "Foreigners in our own land." That is a major point of stress, and for someone in the key demographic areas (usually 22-26~) it has an exacerbating effect on mental health.

Having been straight time Guard, transitioning was not a problem, just had to adjust to the fact I wasn't going to the Armory anymore.

PO1 Tony Holland This quote from the article resonates to me in a very personal way: "The problems were that this man had gone off to war. It was the most exciting experience he had ever had. Then coming back to a small town where he didn’t have as much fulfillment, and life seemed kind of dead to him. And that was really the problem he was struggling with: His life had lost its meaning. It was nothing remotely related to the symptoms you see of PTSD." Leaving the military and joining a civilian workforce that has no sense of camaraderie or brotherhood was extremely difficult for me.