How do you cope with civilian life when you miss the Army?

SSG Jason Hyatt — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 20:55:00 -0500

I know I am not the only grouchy, crusty, cantankerous, not too happy retired (but was never ready for it) SOB on here but I have to say I miss the good 'Ole army life every day I live and breath. So to the young and able live it large, live it well and never take it for granted.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 2 at 2015 8:56 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 20:56:06 -0500

You came to the right place!

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 10:43 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 22:43:56 -0500

You're right, you are not the only one - some of us can add "old" to that list. Then again, some of us were grouchy, crusty, cantankerous, not too happy before we got out - part of our job description - plus they taught it at the Sergeant's Major Academy.

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Feb 2 at 2015 11:01 PM

MAJ David Vermillion — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 23:01:05 -0500

I retired on October 31, 1982 and I miss it also. Certainly understand.

Response by SSG Jason Hyatt made Feb 2 at 2015 11:03 PM

SSG Jason Hyatt — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 23:03:16 -0500

I wanted to go at least 20, but as I have learned I would have died before that, it wasn't until a VA ordered Brain MRI while on Terminal Leave, that it was discovered that my complaints that there was something wrong going on in my brain was right, my brain had swollen 10mm from an explosion in 2007 or 2008 and was still swelling. So it all works out the way it should but I really do miss being part of something so much larger than myself.

Response by SFC Cindy Paris made Feb 2 at 2015 11:03 PM

SFC Cindy Paris — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 23:03:29 -0500

You have started in the right direction by joining Rally Point. You can also volunteer at your local veterans office or hospital. Another is to become involved in veteran activities in your community. Just cause you are no longer active does not mean that you can no longer serve.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Feb 3 at 2015 9:58 AM

MSG Floyd Williams — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 09:58:59 -0500

I miss military life all the time, but what keep my wife and I going is staying connected with the military community. There is a Navy Base in my hometown, and a Air Force Base and another Navy Base about an hour an fifteen minutes drive from location or even a shorter time than that depending on the speed.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Feb 3 at 2015 10:42 AM

CPT Richard Riley — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 10:42:28 -0500

You find, over time, there are many things to miss about active duty. The good thing is there are ways to retain some of that connection to keep you 'in the family'. Just because you no longer put on the uniform everyday is no reason to loose the tether you learned so much from. It really is up to you to keep yourself grounded, focused, and connected to those things you aspire to retain.
Interaction here is a benefit. It permits you the ability to learn from others how they deal with the same things you're going through. The learning never stops & that is a good thing.

Response by SFC William "Bill" Moore made Feb 3 at 2015 1:07 PM

SFC William "Bill" Moore — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 13:07:45 -0500

I miss waking up every morning, knowing what I'm going to wear. I miss the troops I worked with, walking down range to render safe something that has everyone else crapping their pants, putting on a level "A" suit and heading into the hot zone, blowing shit up for a living. Yeah, I miss a few things.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Feb 3 at 2015 1:12 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 13:12:52 -0500

Even as a National Guardsman I miss the time when I am not in the uniform, doing what my beloved Army does. Rallypoint is a great escape for me.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Feb 3 at 2015 2:13 PM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 14:13:17 -0500

I totally know where you are coming from. I joined the guard since I wanted to still be a part of the military but wanted to pursue my civilian career. For those that are retired, what I saw some do is join organizations or even work for contractors that closely worked with the military.

You in essence can get the best of both worlds! I still go through a lot of training exercises and always have civilian contractors that are helping out. When I chat with them, they talk about what they missed, do not miss, and that they are glad to be in the position they are in.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 3 at 2015 5:24 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 17:24:28 -0500

I can honestly say I work with the Army everyday and there are times I have to remember I am not the cranky buck sergeant that I was in the past. I still have to be tactful in my daily routine when interacting with the soldiers. I also remember I am not the one that needs to correct major deficiencies I see, I just tell someone and let them handle it. There are also days I wish I did not have this interaction.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Feb 3 at 2015 7:44 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 19:44:12 -0500

Like many in this thread, I wish I could return. When I first started looking at seminaries in 1997 (still on A/D at the time) I was asked if I would serve as a chaplain in the Navy. I said no at that time, because of all the deployments I've had.

Then 9/11 happened and then our wars of no end happened.

Now I'm a totally disabled veteran (had a neck injury on my last ship, which has left me with nerve damage and lots of pain) and we're at war, and it kills me that I'm NPQ to return to A/D as a chaplain.

I served as an enlisted man, I served as a Line officer, I want to serve as a Chaplain, but it wasn't God's will...

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2015 7:47 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 19:47:29 -0500

The way I coped with it, SSG Jason Hyatt, was that I continued to work as a civilian for the Army. That way I continue to be around Soldiers, veterans, and retirees. All without the 0630 PT formations, the BS of military life, etc. Staying on as a DA civilian is probably the second best decision I've made in my life, right behind my decision to enlist in the Army in the first place.