Would you still be enlisted?

[Ned]

We called it 'borrowing'. We were a bit notorious for it. Thanks for the view on that, agreed.

 

[deborah l. boylan]

Hey Wagon, I'm getting there. 141 and a wakeup to terminal leave!!WOOHOO!!! I just might make it!

 

[Wagon]

Ha Ha Deb. Great. Head down, mouth closed. You'll make it. The urge to speak the unspeakable things gets stronger the closer you get. You'll get there. I'm sure of it.

 

[abnvet]

I too revisted this thread...I took the damn pills during the Gulf War and received letters that we were hit my biological stuff. Still thought when I returned home that I'd stick it out and make it career. Nope! Things got worse with nightmares and the relationship with my ex-wife. Actually reenlisted to go to Panama to get into field where things would be quieter. Going from tactical to field station. Nope! Didn't work at all and the quiet got to me so bad the ex packed up shop and took my daughter home early from Panama. Finally had to separate when they said they were sending me back to the 82nd ABN and to Iraq again, etc. Spent a little over 10 years in the Army. Yes I miss it most of the days but it was hell on me and the family.....

 

[richard duff]

I HAD SO MUCH FUN IN KOREA N OTHER BASES UNTILL IRAQ THEN TBI MIXED WITH PTSD THE ARMY GAVE ME A 10.000 CASH BONUS A FEW WEEKS LATTER I WAS AT THE COL. OFFICE GETTING A MED DISCHARGE I FELT LIKE A FAILURE I HAD NO WHERE TO GO SO I MOVED BACK TO ROA VA MOVED IN WITH EX WIFE SHES CRAZY WITHOUT PTSD I DIDNT STAY LONG FIRST CAV IN TEXAS LET ME STAY THERE FOR 6 MONTHS UNTILL I GOT A PLACE TO GO AND LET ME KEEP MY REINLISTMENT BONUS FIRST CAV KICKS ASS 19KILO YEA I TRIED TO STAY IN BUT I WAS GETTING TO WILD AFTER I GOT BACK TO BASE AFTER IRAQ I DIDNT EVEN SHOW UP FOR WORK FOR WEEKS AFTER A FEW MIN WITH MY CO HE DECIDED TO LET ME GO ON PTSD N TBI BUT THE WORST PART IS IT TOOK 4 YRS TO GET SERVICE CONNECTED BECOUSE I DIDNT KNOW WHAT IT WAS THANKS TO THE VA WAITING SO LONG I MADE OUT LIKE A BANDIT IN BACK PAY SS AS WELL ALL THANKS TO A VIETNAM VET I MET AT THE BUSS STOP IT MIGHT OF BEEN GOD HELPING ME OUT OR HE SENT THAT GUY OVER TO TALK TO ME ITS SO WEIRD .THE VA ACTS STUPID WHEN YOU ASK ABOUT MONEY OR SS THEY NEVER ONCE MENTIONED IT IN 4YRS AND I FIND OUT THROUGH A STRANGER YOU GUYS KEEP POSTING OR THE NEW GUYS WONT KNOW WHATS GOING ON I HAD 6 MONTHS UNEMOLOYEMENT WHEN I GOT OUT I DIDNT KNOW TILL I WAS ALREADY 100 PERCENT PLUS THE VA IS NOT THERE TO HELP WITH YOUR MONEY PROBLEMS THATS A FACT WELL IN ROANOKE VA ATLEAST HAMPTON VA WILL DO ANYTHING THEY CAN TO GET YOU SERVICE CONNECTED RICHMONDS GREAT TO THANKS GUYS GOOD LUCK TO ALL ,HELP FOR NEW GUYS SHOULD BE A BIG POST ON HERE OR THEY MIGHT GET THE SHAFT LIKE THE REST

 

[Zipperhead]

I tried to rejoin the reserves after I retired. Couldn't admit I was an old man I guess. It's funny, for some reason I draw a line across the base. One side has the soldiers, the other the burocrats. Soldiers are the salt of the earth. I have all the time in the world for them. Burocrats, not so much. I seem to blame the burocrats for where I am and forgive the soldiers for what ever part they played. Not really fair to the desk jockies, but hey, they deserve it.

 

[Anglesachse]

I just read the thread, and there are a lot of good points and views.

I was born into the Army, signed my life to queen and country and 15, 2 week s before my 16 birthday. Spent 10 years in green. Trained like shit to stop a rusian advance through the north german plain, took a kicking on the streets of Belfast and Crossmaglen. learnt some hard lessons in Iraq "91. Got wild in Bosnia and ended up doing 3 months in nick for a incident, which our click was involved in. and sadly left not long after very bitter with the british army. Took me a few years to figure out was missing in my life. and was to old to rejoin. tried the German army and was turned down on age. man was I gutted. If I had the chance I would be straight back there with the guys. I was, am and I guess allways will be green blooded.

 

[Wagg]

I miss the meaning of life I had when I was in. I may not have realized it then, but my service was my destiny. Maybe I was destined to only be able to serve one six-year term, but man I miss it badly. Don't get me wrong though... I had a lot to hate and complain about, lol, but overall, that's where I belonged. I did more good being in than I could ever do as a civilian no matter how hard I try.

 

[armyvetwolf]

I miss the Army, i miss being enlisted, hell i miss being dual military...But i got out of the army for my children, i didn't want to abandon them for the military. I loved the camaraderie, the good times, the lessons learned, countries visited...I would do it all again. But it's in my blood even if I am no longer in, once a soldier always a soldier.

 

[Barberian]

I would have never retired untill they had to lift my cold dead corps off the flightdeck if I had a choice.

 

[Sabre]

19 years in the RAAF. Joined straight out of school.
Was lucky to have 2 jobs. ADG - Air Field Defence Guard and CISCON - Communications
looked forward to me first deployment but finished up with PTSD.
Hid it for 5 yrs until it got to me. In 35 days I will be out and waking up a new man .

Would I do it again NO the Military I joined 19 yrs ago has gone its now a corporate run business not a Defence Force.
But if any one is keen to start a private protection firm I am in ROFL

PTSD
PROTECTIVE
TACTICAL
SECURITY
DEPARTMENT

HEY that works to qualify you must. Have PTSD.

 

[Wagon]

That's a grand idea doomed to failure. Doesn't mean I don't like.

I can imagine myself on a contract and sending a report back to home office.

"Picked up client at airport, Delivered to hotel. Got depressed. Am now locked in my room. Have been for 3 days. Please send; alcohol, drugs or a Psychologist. One, not all. Room Service bill is alarming. Client is fine but complaining about rope burns. Please help"

Sadly there were times I was in a similar position (minus the tied up client of course) to send a message like that, but just never thought to ask for help. Doh!!!

Good luck with the new life Sabre. Just showing up is a victory in itself.