For those that have had a painful deployment how did it shape you?

2014-06-05T18:32:36-04:00

My deployment caused me to pull on my faith and led me to transition from Warrant Officer to Chaplain. What post traumatic growth did you have from this life changing event?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2014 7:06 PM

2014-06-05T19:06:44-04:00

I recovered, and got better. I made sure the deployment that followed that one would NOT be the same!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2014 7:35 PM

2014-06-17T19:35:47-04:00

I think the first deployment is the hardest and you always do things differently on the next. My first deployment was for Bosnia in 1995 but instead of letting it destroy a marriage, we worked thru all the issues and are still married after 2 more deployments and several geo-bachelor assignments.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2014 8:45 PM

2014-06-18T20:45:41-04:00

My deployment almost permanently soured me on the Army Reserve and caused me to sincerely regret transitioning away from the active duty Army after twelve and a half years of active component service. I have 16 years AFS now, and 25 good years for a Reserve retirement, but cannot retire until my service obligation runs out in May of next year.

It still hurts emotionally because I feel guilty for even talking about it. I was in no danger, and some of my brothers and sisters in arms really suffered on deployments. Plenty had it far far worse than I did.

How it shaped me? It sharply reduced my trust in those in charge to do the right thing. I've seen stuff go on, both on deployment and in garrison, that would never fly in the active component.

It isn't lost on me that I'd probably be a retired MSG or SGM by now if I'd stayed active, and I'd be 5 years into a civilian career.

If I do not make the CW3 board this coming April, I will be retiring from the Reserve the following August. If I do make it, I'll stick around for another 3 years after getting pinned, and decide then.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2014 1:31 AM

2014-06-19T01:31:10-04:00

To be quite honest, I'm still learning since my event is recent. My traumatic event happened on Feb 28, 2014. A 600lbs VBIED hit the vic behind me, which killed LCpl Erickson. I'm still deployed and everytime I see a blown up MRAP sitting in the MT lot, it gives me flashback to that day. Along with that, I have dreams about it every couple weeks or so. It is something that is not on my mind as much as it was, but still lingers in my head and I just want it gone. There is a part of me that is afraid that it will get worse when we redeploy back to the states. I've heard of many people that have not noticed PTSD symptoms until later after they've returned to the states. Any advice on how to deal with this?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2016 8:10 PM

2016-06-09T20:10:19-04:00

This is such a great question. The toxic experience that I endured has really impacted my sleep.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2022 1:28 PM

2022-09-27T13:28:47-04:00

It made me appreciate the little things in life that I took for granted.