New Squid On The Block

[Stryder0115]

Greetings!

I've been retired for 4 years now. I served 24 years in the Navy and retired as a Master Chief (E-9). I spent most of my last 6 years in the Middle East. I was stationed in Bahrain where I rode Pakistani ships. Then did 2 tours boots on ground in Iraq. The first tour was 24 months and 10 days. The second one was only 6 months.

I'm recently married at 47. Been divorced for 12 some odd years. And, I have to seriously take a look at my self. I know I've had issues that others didn't since returning. But, for the sake of leadership, I stuffed my feelings and only let the hurt out when I was alone. Which steadily became more and more. I was very good at it. Everyone believed I'm a happy go lucky sorta guy. But, it's hard to hide from someone who lives with you.

I just want to read what others have gone through and how they are and aren't coping if you know what I mean. I have to admit that I'm still leery of saying that I have any disorder because of the stygma that goes with it. But, that's my ego talking and it needs to be deflated... LOL

Thanks for letting an old squid ramble!

Michael

 

[Barberian]

Welcome to the forum. I'm retarded, I mean retired Navy, E-6. Worked on F/A-18's, and Supers in my last command. Did four cruises. Gulf 1, two cruises then Gulf 2. Not many regular navy here. Lots of corpsmen though.

 

[Sarg]

Wow! Jesus, Chief, a 24 month tour? You're most welcome here, a real knowledge bank about everything PTSD. Pull up a chair and join in. Pardon me for saying so, but 24 months is just too much. I'd jump up on my "bring em' home and bring em' home now" soapbox but now is not the time.

Let me know if you need me.

Sarg

 

[BaMuoiBa]

Welcome Michael from another ol' squid, Just twenty years shy of what you did but who's counting.

I'll echo Sarg, whoooow 24 months I did 16 in Nam due to an extension of critical rates. Critical my ass - stayed drunk for the last 4 months and they didn't miss me on bit (LOL). After that they showed me a crack in the door and I never looked back.

But, for the sake of leadership, I stuffed my feelings and only let the hurt out when I was alone.

Did a bit of that myself and been paying the piper for the past 40+ years. Time to take a good look at what's stuck in your craw and see what you can do for it. Good Luck Chief - your amoung friends here!

Ba

 

[Spock]

Welcome Master Chief!

 

[Jimmy1]

Welcome mate, hope this site helps, another squid is welcome.

 

[Spock]

With a killer profile photo as well! ("killer" being a great thing in 1980s USA campus lingo)

 

[Ned]

Morning Michael

 

[Stryder0115]

Good morning all! Thank you for your words of welcome! I apologize Sarg and Ba, I was there for only 14 months and 10 days the first time. Not 24 months. I fat fingered it... But, that was the toughest 14 months of my life. I never once flinched. I remember being in the defac and 10 rockets walked in closer and closer. Everyone was hiding under plastic tables. I stayed at my seat and continued to eat like nothing was happening. I figured if it was my day, I would rather go eating than being under a plastic table. I was filling a Sargent Major position and thought that's what they would have done... Afterward, I went outside and found a private place and cried like a baby... LOL

Hope everyone has a good day!

 

[willis williams]

Welcome Master Chief! Even though your a squid! Liked your honest straight to the point intro. The squid thing was a joke brother. I respect that you stuck a full retirement! I am also glad you joined us. My Dad was a lifer. Congrats on your retirement. You will enjoy being here everyone is in the same boat. Another poke at the navy. All joking aside my Dad was a nam veteran 68, 69, and part of 70 and my sister was a 1st gulf war veteran and I'm a somalia veteran 93 and 94 and there always was a good feeling about the squids being off shore with cruise missiles. Always was jealous of your mess halls though. Thanks for the years you put in. Welcome again!

 

[Jimmy1]

Good morning all! Thank you for your words of welcome! I apologize Sarg and Ba, I was there for only 14 months and 10 days the first time. Not 24 months. I fat fingered it... But, that was the toughest 14 months of my life. I never once flinched. I remember being in the defac and 10 rockets walked in closer and closer. Everyone was hiding under plastic tables. I stayed at my seat and continued to eat like nothing was happening. I figured if it was my day, I would rather go eating than being under a plastic table. I was filling a Sargent Major position and thought that's what they would have done... Afterward, I went outside and found a private place and cried like a baby... LOL

Hope everyone has a good day!

Wow, filling a position of a Sergeant Major, I suppose it's no tougher than being afloat. I was a Sergeant Major int he Aussie Army. That gig in the defac would have been a real treat, those 122 mm rockets make a big bang. I was in the OP's when 5 mortars game in. The young CPL and private turned to me from a position on the deck and said, 'What do we do', being that we were on the roof of the Baath Party HQ with just some plywood as OHP, I basically said, what do you reckon.
They all went over our heads though, but I remember watching the door to the defac, their intended target, and watching a young marine stuck in the open. When he went right one went right, when he went left, one went left, it was like off the movies.
Only three went off out of five, but it got my pulse racing. The young marine was laughing his head off. I needed a change of pants.

I honestly don't know how you did 14 months.

 

[Sarg]

Ha Chief! Only 14 months! Well, I only did 14 months and stripped gears. You went back for another 10! And my Dad was a lifer as well, 22 years, never got that Chief rocker tho'. Know what you mean about not "duck and covering" (If anybody remembers what the hell that means). I'd just look over the scope and watch the AA coming up and say, "if it's gonna get me, ain't a damn thing I can do about it".

You have a good day as well, Chief.

Sarg