Do you find that in your post-military life that your military life/mind is getting in the way of you? If so how?

2015-10-16T09:30:22-04:00

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Oct 16 at 2015 9:33 AM

2015-10-16T09:33:57-04:00

I sometimes find that my PTSD, mental illness, stress disorder: get in the way of my fully living life.
i.e.: isolation, being a workaholic.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 16 at 2015 10:29 AM

2015-10-16T10:29:09-04:00

Quite the opposite, SPC Margret Higgins. The work ethic and principles developed over my career proved to be an asset that carried me through a second career in the private industry. Wouldn't trade a minute of it. My greatest regret is not being with my family for much of the time.

Response by CW3 Jim Norris made Oct 16 at 2015 1:32 PM

2015-10-16T13:32:41-04:00

Not really. Working in IT most of my adult life, I found the leadership training very valuable. Most of the younger folks coming out of college have received very little in leadership training or team mentoring. So, it permitted me to use the systemic methods of developing briefing and plans of actions to my advantage. Having had to present plans, defend after action reviews and such was a great advantage for me. The very best thing that I brought out of being a combat soldier is that civilian life involves problems to be solved, you see emergencies are when people are going to live or die as a result of your action or inaction. When you can 'slow the game down' for those about you to give them breathing and thinking space it helps the whole enterprise to succeed. On occassion I have heard comments about 'that must be the Army way' of doing things, to which I replied, "ok, give me a better planning method, with more predictable outcomes and we'll do it your way"......the silence was deafing. Oh we moved on to ITIL methods and such, I admit it's a great way to manage and impelement......but, that good old SALUTE initial formulation in case of a failure is still hard to beat....I hope these words addressed your question, remember 'no plan survives the first contact with the enemy', so adapt, adjust and don't lose mission focus.....all that soldering prepared you to excel.
Jim

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 16 at 2015 3:51 PM

2015-10-16T15:51:57-04:00

Absolutely not. I treat people with dignity and respect. I know long-term goals require shaping events. I see more than COIN in the current wars.