Is it weird to sometimes look back on deployment and think that you would rather be there than back in the states?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 16:04:14 -0400

Noted I was in the middle of no where for 6 and a half months with limited supply. so it wasn't a chill time.

Response by SrA John Monette made Oct 29 at 2018 4:08 PM

SrA John Monette — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 16:08:30 -0400

I think as long as that isn't all you think about, you're normal. if is becomes all consuming, you should probably seek professional help

Response by TSgt David L. made Oct 29 at 2018 4:09 PM

TSgt David L. — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 16:09:32 -0400

Not weird at all. I think most of us wish we were back in the fight regardless of the conditions. I miss the rush and the satisfaction of knowing I saved untold lives. Cheating death is addictive I guess.

Response by Evan Duda made Oct 29 at 2018 4:10 PM

Evan Duda — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 16:10:25 -0400

(I have not served)
I wouldn't think so. I don't know your situation, but I'd guess the military was something you wanted to do and to some extent enjoyed. Perhaps your current situation isn't as ideal as that in the military. It all depends on your situation. But, I wouldn't think so.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2018 5:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 17:23:59 -0400

CPL Private RallyPoint Member It's NOT weird AT ALL. My dad had the same feelings at times from his service in Vietnam (a MUCH more difficult theater then anything we've ever endured, IMO). I asked him that when I came back from my 3rd tour. He told me he expected that question a few months after my first tour. It's an adjustment, pure and simple. You're a different person than the guy that deployed. You gotta rediscover how you fit into this new normal. It's a tough transition. Sadly, some (even some I've known) can't handle it. As cliché as this sounds, get you a good battle buddy to help you transition back. And if you don't have one, message me.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 29 at 2018 5:29 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 17:29:04 -0400

CPL Private RallyPoint Member here is the realization, and I am not making light of it. Once upon a time, I was awesome. I used to be the warrior king, now I am suburban dad. It's tough to set aside what once was. Once you get a taste it's hard to let go.

Sebastian Junger talks about this in his book War and a little bit in the documentary Restreppo. You are not alone.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Oct 29 at 2018 6:35 PM

MSG Floyd Williams — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 18:35:06 -0400

It's not weird at all.

Response by SGT Rick Myers made Oct 29 at 2018 7:38 PM

SGT Rick Myers — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 19:38:58 -0400

I have quite often. If I knew then what I know now it’d have been lots more “ fun”. But years have passed and als I’m to old to be considered able bodied but I’m able minded to do it again.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Oct 29 at 2018 9:43 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 21:43:58 -0400

The place I spent exactly ten months and fourteen days of my year tour was not the place I would ever,ever revisit ,that being said I’ll never have the same feelings from that time, very hard to explain even after all these years.

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made Oct 29 at 2018 10:04 PM

SSG Byron Howard Sr — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 22:04:20 -0400

One tour of Germany ended I went to Ft Hood I was in a good unit but everyone in my family wanted to go back. I called branch and went back I was in the states less then 9 months. I went back to the same unit I just left. The girl at pac who signed me in laughed and said SSG Howard you are your own replacement.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Oct 29 at 2018 10:28 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 22:28:11 -0400

Not at all, especially certain aspects of it. I don't find myself feeling that way near as often as I used to, but it still comes around once in a while. You were with a close-knit group of people that you won't find the likes of anywhere else, and you endured challenging, unique conditions with them.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 30 at 2018 1:10 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 01:10:46 -0400

I look at it differently. When things got way crazy in CIV life work, school, you name it; there are times.... Being deployed in many aspects is simpler. Your job is well defined. You know where you eat, dump, and slump. You know the rules. Back in the day, there were fewer distractions. Only thing going was snail mail or none at all. Your world shrunk. Nobody whining that they can't go to Disneyland on the weekend. Now that I'm retired, my focus is on simple. That way I'm making this time the best in my life. I have a therapy tractor, therapy Gator, therapy kegerator, you get the drift. When you are doing what you want, things get simpler too.