Since leaving the military, what have you struggled with the most?

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

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.

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.

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.