How did you feel when you realized that you were never going to be in uniform again?

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:16:53 -0500

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Nov 7 at 2016 12:17 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:17:29 -0500

I felt lost.

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 7 at 2016 12:19 PM

SFC George Smith — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:19:35 -0500

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...

Response by SSG Jonathan Adcox made Nov 7 at 2016 12:24 PM

SSG Jonathan Adcox — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:24:00 -0500

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.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2016 12:27 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:27:33 -0500

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.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Nov 7 at 2016 12:31 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:31:35 -0500

A little depressed, a little happy. Sometimes it feels like a weight was lifted off the shoulders.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Nov 7 at 2016 12:38 PM

LTC John Shaw — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:38:34 -0500

I am a few months away from my demobilization and retirement. 30 years of service doesn'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.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2016 12:41 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:41:59 -0500

Disappointed at first, but the I developed sense of freedom.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Nov 7 at 2016 12:48 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:48:56 -0500

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'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.

I guess we'll see what it's like on my last day.

Response by SSG Wally Lawver made Nov 7 at 2016 12:49 PM

SSG Wally Lawver — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:49:02 -0500

ecstatic

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Nov 7 at 2016 12:55 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:55:46 -0500

Sad at first, but adjusted to the fact.

Response by SGT William Howell made Nov 7 at 2016 1:11 PM

SGT William Howell — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 13:11:39 -0500

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.

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, "Fuck that bullshit!"

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 7 at 2016 1:39 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 13:39:46 -0500

Tremendous letdown.

Response by SGT Richard DeVoe made Nov 7 at 2016 2:13 PM

SGT Richard DeVoe — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 14:13:17 -0500

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?

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).

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2016 2:54 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 14:54:01 -0500

Ready.

Response by SFC Dennis A. made Nov 7 at 2016 3:19 PM

SFC Dennis A. — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 15:19:08 -0500

It felt like a big door slammed shut behind me and everything that I'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't have a clue what life in the military was like.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2016 3:24 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 15:24:39 -0500

Because of the suddenness of my retirement from the Reserves, I was pretty angry.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Nov 7 at 2016 3:44 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 15:44:01 -0500

Happy, relieved and a sense of freedom. I had been preparing for a year before retiring. Do still miss the camaraderie though. Just don't have that in the civilian world that i've experienced so far.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Nov 7 at 2016 6:48 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 18:48:21 -0500

Some second guessing and anxiety but it too faded with time.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Nov 7 at 2016 6:56 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 18:56:45 -0500

SFC Stephen King I was okay with it.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Nov 7 at 2016 7:08 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 19:08:48 -0500

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.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Nov 7 at 2016 8:45 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 20:45:26 -0500

Lost and empty. Week 5 of retirement

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Nov 7 at 2016 9:59 PM

SFC Marcus Belt — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 21:59:00 -0500

I'm less than 2 years from finding out.

Response by LTC Leonard M. Manning, Sr made Nov 8 at 2016 5:04 AM

LTC Leonard M. Manning, Sr — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 05:04:52 -0500

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!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2016 11:17 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 11:17:01 -0500

Hi, SFC King.

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.

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.

Getting out broke my heart, though. I would go back today if I could.