How do you think you've changed after combat?

SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 11:14:49 -0400

I'm curious and interested in how others believe they have changed since combat.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jun 2 at 2017 11:18 AM

SFC Stephen King — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 11:18:01 -0400

Great question, I personally believe everyone will have different perspectives. I grew more mentally tough

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2017 11:27 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 11:27:12 -0400

SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity, I appreciate the seeming little things more. I spend more time with my family and enjoy our time together.

Response by GySgt Bill Smith made Jun 2 at 2017 11:35 AM

GySgt Bill Smith — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 11:35:46 -0400

Definitely have a lot more perspective and learned not to sweat the small stuff.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2017 12:05 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 12:05:33 -0400

I have greater respect for those who fought in previous wars. I've always respected them but now I understand their sacrifice much better. It has also made me seriously consider statements that I might have said before combat such as, "we just need to send the Army over there and take care of "XYZ". Now I have a greater understanding of what combat means and that war should be avoided at all costs. When I hear about some battle now and someone says we "only lost 3 men", while that may be good in the sense of what was militarily accomplished, I can't help but think that those 3 individuals have mothers/fathers/siblings/children/etc. that will never see them again and while 3 deaths may not mean much in the history books, to that family their lives will never be the same again.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2017 1:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 13:11:22 -0400

Ill tell you right now that , still six years after my last deployment im still depressed, angry and lost confidence in myself. Thankfully I now have a family of my own and that brightens up my days but its still tough. Anger tends to pop up more often than usual.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jun 2 at 2017 3:55 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 15:55:59 -0400

I don't know about change,but I do know, I never ever want to experience it again !

Response by CPT Dale Stringer made Jun 2 at 2017 4:21 PM

CPT Dale Stringer — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 16:21:31 -0400

I served in Vietnam for my combat tour. I'm sure you have heard the saying, " I'm sure glad I did it, but I'm sure as 'Hell' not going to do it again!" How have I changed? I still have flashbacks, still seem very real, but only on occasion now. I don't tolerate a lot of BS, make decisions a lot quicker, value my family and friends, enjoying home, hearth and lack of conflict a little more. I miss lost comrades. I do think our younger civilians need to serve so they can have some "skin in the game" when it comes to peace, democracy, and the principles we Americans value.

Response by CW4 Anthoney Lowry made Jun 2 at 2017 5:00 PM

CW4 Anthoney Lowry — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 17:00:40 -0400

I was much more angry when I got back. that has slowly gone away. Now I don't let the little things bother me at all. It really takes a lot to make mad now days.

Response by SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity made Jun 2 at 2017 7:09 PM

SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 19:09:44 -0400

My own experience after spending about 41 months out of country... I've learned to be more responsible, things are done with urgency...I am thankful for the things I have. I also notice I am hyper-vigelant, easy to anger, depressed at times and anxious others, and untrusting,

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jun 3 at 2017 1:12 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 01:12:45 -0400

I am hyper-vigilant and I still jump when I hear a loud and sudden noise. I am very distrustful of most people...

Response by CPL Kevin Bright made Jun 5 at 2017 9:42 AM

CPL Kevin Bright — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 09:42:03 -0400

Being an E4 P prior to Desert Storm I was assigned to a secondary MOS when I recieved orders for deployment to the 101ST Airborne Division in my primary MOS Communications. My grandfather whom us a retired CSM with combat experience from Korea and Vietnam instructed me to learn my job top to bottom because in combat if you dont know your job it could get people killed. That motivated me to not only to learn my job but to stress training upon subordinates going forward. I developed the attitude of you never have enough training. As for non military I found that returning from combat took the happy go lucky joker I was prior to deployment and replaced it with the always serious its not a joke attitude. Too bad the wife and family really miss that guy.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2017 1:17 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 13:17:37 -0400

Personally I don't think that I've changed too much. I've seen people who had just as much or less combat exposure than I have and they were changed forever. If anything, I'm more jumpy now that I used to be.