SFC Stephen King 2048004 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div> 2016-11-07T12:16:53-05:00 SFC Stephen King 2048004

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2016-11-07T12:16:53-05:00 2016-11-07T12:16:53-05:00 CPT Jack Durish 2048005

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I felt lost.

2016-11-07T12:17:29-05:00 2016-11-07T12:17:29-05:00 SFC George Smith 2048008

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>at first it was an Empty and Lost feeling ... I got over it and found other thing s to do... Like working around the Farm and did a lot of shooting...

2016-11-07T12:19:35-05:00 2016-11-07T12:19:35-05:00 SSG Jonathan Adcox 2048024

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Devistated. You realize you no longer identify with being a Soldier and then recognize you no longer have an identity. Took alot of time and coaxing from my family before I snapped out of it. They helped me realize that just because you do not wear the uniform does not mean you are not a Soldier.

2016-11-07T12:24:00-05:00 2016-11-07T12:24:00-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 2048036

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Went from a battle dress uniform to a uniform of slacks, polo or dress shirt and occasionally a tie. It never seemed like a big deal.

2016-11-07T12:27:33-05:00 2016-11-07T12:27:33-05:00 Cpl Justin Goolsby 2048045

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>A little depressed, a little happy. Sometimes it feels like a weight was lifted off the shoulders.

2016-11-07T12:31:35-05:00 2016-11-07T12:31:35-05:00 LTC John Shaw 2048056

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I am a few months away from my demobilization and retirement. 30 years of service doesn&#39;t seem like a long time to me, but to everyone I speak with, it is. I know I will miss this culture and service but I am so blessed to have the experience and happy to have served.

2016-11-07T12:38:34-05:00 2016-11-07T12:38:34-05:00 MAJ Private RallyPoint Member 2048062

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Disappointed at first, but the I developed sense of freedom.

2016-11-07T12:41:59-05:00 2016-11-07T12:41:59-05:00 SGT Dave Tracy 2048083

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I will wrap up my contract in 6 months, but for me, its an easier process I think as I went from fulltime Army to 5 years in the part time Army (Reservist); so the process probably isn&#39;t as jarring as it might be for someone who spends X number of years Active Duty, and leaves it all behind on one final day. <br /><br />I guess we&#39;ll see what it&#39;s like on my last day.

2016-11-07T12:48:56-05:00 2016-11-07T12:48:56-05:00 SSG Wally Lawver 2048084

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>ecstatic

2016-11-07T12:49:02-05:00 2016-11-07T12:49:02-05:00 SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth 2048105

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Sad at first, but adjusted to the fact.

2016-11-07T12:55:46-05:00 2016-11-07T12:55:46-05:00 SGT William Howell 2048168

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>When I was handed my medical discharge and told to go home I thought I was going to die. Being a soldier was my everything. Now I look on Facebook at my young soldiers that were under me in combat. One is a Major, one is a 1SG, and 3 are SFC. I wonder if I had any influence on how they good of leaders they are. No matter who we are the Army is going to go on. All you can do is hope that you made a positive impact on those you served with while you were in.<br /><br />When I feel really down I think back to a change of command ceremony that went on for hours and hours and I say to myself, &quot;Fuck that bullshit!&quot;

2016-11-07T13:11:39-05:00 2016-11-07T13:11:39-05:00 Capt Seid Waddell 2048256

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Tremendous letdown.

2016-11-07T13:39:46-05:00 2016-11-07T13:39:46-05:00 SGT Richard DeVoe 2048387

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>How did you feel when you realized that you were never going to be in uniform again? I believe that the answer is one of a personal point of view. How do you define your future? How do you define your time in Uniform? And what, in your opinion is a Uniform?<br /><br />For me I see myself going forward helping out other Veterans and SM any way that I can. I was an NCO and always will be, just because I have taken off the BDU, ASU, or Dress Blues does not mean I can not change to the Uniform of the VFW, AMVETS, or the American Legion (or any number of orgs).

2016-11-07T14:13:17-05:00 2016-11-07T14:13:17-05:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 2048526

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Ready.

2016-11-07T14:54:01-05:00 2016-11-07T14:54:01-05:00 SFC Dennis A. 2048620

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It felt like a big door slammed shut behind me and everything that I&#39;d lived for 20 years was gone. I moved back home to a small rural town, lots of patriotism but the majority of the people living there don&#39;t have a clue what life in the military was like.

2016-11-07T15:19:08-05:00 2016-11-07T15:19:08-05:00 Capt Private RallyPoint Member 2048633

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Because of the suddenness of my retirement from the Reserves, I was pretty angry.

2016-11-07T15:24:39-05:00 2016-11-07T15:24:39-05:00 PO1 Brian Austin 2048669

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Happy, relieved and a sense of freedom. I had been preparing for a year before retiring. Do still miss the camaraderie though. Just don&#39;t have that in the civilian world that i&#39;ve experienced so far.

2016-11-07T15:44:01-05:00 2016-11-07T15:44:01-05:00 SPC Erich Guenther 2049221

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Some second guessing and anxiety but it too faded with time.

2016-11-07T18:48:21-05:00 2016-11-07T18:48:21-05:00 Sgt Kelli Mays 2049249

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="618286" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/618286-sfc-stephen-king">SFC Stephen King</a> I was okay with it.

2016-11-07T18:56:45-05:00 2016-11-07T18:56:45-05:00 SGT Philip Roncari 2049265

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I must admit it did not hit me until I was out for a few months and I had lost that feeling of family,not blood relatives but something just as strong,at the time Vietnam Vets were not what you would call a favorable group so most of us just hid all those old service memories and only brought them up among our own,so I guess sadness would be my answer.

2016-11-07T19:08:48-05:00 2016-11-07T19:08:48-05:00 LTC Jason Mackay 2049499

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Lost and empty. Week 5 of retirement

2016-11-07T20:45:26-05:00 2016-11-07T20:45:26-05:00 SFC Marcus Belt 2049741

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I&#39;m less than 2 years from finding out.

2016-11-07T21:59:00-05:00 2016-11-07T21:59:00-05:00 LTC Leonard M. Manning, Sr 2050258

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I still miss being able to put on my uniform. It was a part of me for over 34 years. I joined when I was 21 and retired when I was 58. I had many great adventures while I was in uniform and I continue to have many adventures as a military contractor working with Army and Air Force personnel. By the way I am 66 years old and still going strong. AATW!

2016-11-08T05:04:52-05:00 2016-11-08T05:04:52-05:00 SSgt Private RallyPoint Member 2058591

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Hi, SFC King.<br /><br />I went from an MEB and a career-ending medical diagnosis to jeans and a polo shirt in about six months. That hurt a little. I was not prepared for it, and it was like getting hit by a truck. At night. In my living room.<br /><br />The up side. The VA picked up my tab for college through their Vocational Rehabilitation program. I was a full-time college student for four years. It kept me busy, and my mind off being out.<br /><br />Getting out broke my heart, though. I would go back today if I could.

2016-11-10T11:17:01-05:00 2016-11-10T11:17:01-05:00 2016-11-07T12:16:53-05:00