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SGM Mikel Dawson
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They are all valid points. Also for me, after spending over 22yrs doing something, then over night it's over, there was a big hole to fill. It took me about 2-3 yrs to adjust. Work helped as I had to focus on a farrier certification which meant lots of hours at the forge and anvil pounding iron.
"As veterans and service members, we constantly revisit the past, and all we talk about is “back when.” It’s time to cut that shit out now." This statement I have to disagree with. To me this is good. We all need someone to talk to. This is something I miss. When I got back from Iraq, I had a VN vet near me I'd go see a couple time a month, stay the weekend and we'd just BS. Now he's moved away and I miss it. I do see him once a year when I go to Portugal.
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LTC Stephen F.
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Edited >1 y ago
Thanks for posting SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
1. You miss the camaraderie. [ that is a valid point but can be minimized by maintaining contact with fellow veteran as well as finding a good supportive church which included veterans.

2. You miss the lifestyle. [questionable - some aspects of the military lifestyle are over-romanticized]

3. You miss playing with guns and blowing shit up. Then getting paid for it. [definitely a lot of fun to blow things up legally and fire an amazing array of friendly and other force weapons]

4. You’re an elitist. [not me, I try to be as down-to-earth as I can]

5. You don’t talk enough. [some things we will never able to be discuss which is fine my me. Better to be a good listener anyway.]
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
>1 y
LTC Stephen F. thanks for the response, well conceived and eloquently conveyed list. Sweet indeed!
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PO1 Jack Howell
PO1 Jack Howell
8 y
An elitist?! Are you kidding me?! Merriam-Webster defines elitist as:
1: leadership or rule by an elite
2: the selectivity of the elite; especially : snobbery <elitism in choosing new members>
3: consciousness of being or belonging to an elite
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
8 y
PO1 Jack Howell - I expect your comment is directed at the Task & Purpose author who is Jason M. Callahan. He was the one that SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL is quoting.
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Vikki Nicometo
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2
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There are some psychological reasons as well - when you leave the military, it's the death of an identity - it's the same thing happens with a divorce, loss of a spouse, loss of a job, etc. Your very identity was tied to that role. Then it's gone. You actually really need to GRIEVE that lost identity.
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Sgt Tammy Wallace
Sgt Tammy Wallace
>1 y
I've been grieving my loss for over a decade now... :(
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Vikki Nicometo
Vikki Nicometo
>1 y
Sgt Tammy Wallace - Oh I'm so sorry to hear that! You might want to get some help with that. Don't stay stuck!
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