The quiet part OUT LOUD!

Jesus fuck that was so in target, I couldn't had said it any better.

“I feel calm in emergencies but anxious in regular life”

Man he is spot on .. been out for almost 14 yrs now and still feel exactly the same way

I heard a WWII veteran respond when someone thanked him for his service. He replied, “You were worth it!” I loved that response and now I use it as a response.

Profound. Many situations evoke these thoughts/emotions. Just transitioning from being a "parent of little ones" to being an "empty-nester" evokes these feelings. On your toes and frosty... but then feeling like purpose has flown away. Life and death everyday... but trying not to show it, etc., etc., etc., It's a cycle... a hard cycle of life.

When people thank me for my service I thank them and then say the ones that really deserve their thanks are buried in Arlington. Stay frosty bro

Calm when there is chaos but stressed about normal things is real. I don’t get it, my wife especially doesn’t. Don’t know what to call it. Hits hard

Already peaked? Nahh you have much to share. Keep on. Life is a marathon not a sprint.

💙💙💙

Lotta truth spoken. Those who served, deployed, and came back, know this feeling.

This is common for us vets. Some of the best people I’ll ever meet, led by some of the dumbest. There were a few leaders though that I latched on to. Those were men that helped me grow up. I’ll never forget burning human shit or watching my friends die, but living the after life, we all talked about while in the shit on guard duty, closes those thought loops.

This is LTSD. Lack of Traumatic Stress Disorder. We get out and the silence is deafening. Civilians make no sense. Our structure is just gone. This is very real. I’ve been out for 20 years and I still feel this.

I sympathize with a fuckton of that. Most of it affects me now or, at least, affected me when I ETSed, though some of it has faded over time. I finally came up with a response to "thank you for your service" that helps me not hate it: I tell people to thank a whistleblower instead. They didn't know they were putting their lives on the line, and almost nobody ever calls them heroes. I feel like they deserve respect more than I. Hang in there. Many of us can sympathize.

@MikePetz52 That goes through my mind everyday. Plus I wasn't combat arms so I feel guilty about that, on the other hand I searched hundreds of Iraqis everyday wondering if this is the day one blows me up.

I feel that.

Nailed it. It's getting close to 20 years since I got out, and still the same. All of what he said hit, and it's still true now. I don't think I could even add another item. GG.

You are so much more wise than you think. You are facing facts rather than running from them. Give yourself time AND say your prayers.

PTSD in large part is dealing with civilians in my opinion.

This must be a boots on the ground post. Did 20 years but never shot at. That must be the separator. Proud I served but couldn't wait to get out. Retired the 1st day I was eligible. Started a new job immediately and life is easy. Good luck to the Vets out there.

Somewhat less serious thoughts: - my knees hurt - I’ll never stop subconsciously tracking thr exits and instinctively wanting to look behind me every 10-20 paces - everyone walks too slow

Thank you for sharing this, I’ve never been able to sit down and put it into words like that, this hits home for me and I know I’m not alone.

I’ve found the best response to give if anybody says ‘Thank you for your service’ is a ‘thank you for your support’. Makes them smile and negates any awkwardness you’ll feel.

The best response I have heard to “Thank you for your service” is “thank you for your support”

I truly know how you feel. Another veteran suggested as a response to thanking for service to say “Thank you for the support.” And that really helped me with at least one thing being a veteran left me. You’re safe. It’s ok. Happy New Year Brother.

When I am thanked, I was the same way for many years...didn't know what to say. As I've gotten older, I've settled on, "It was an honor to serve."

I’ve been out for a while and the feeling never goes away. Thank you for putting into words how I feel everyday. Getting into a boxing class really helped me. A real boxing gym not one of the stupid ones like 9round.

SEPS/TAPS does a shit job when the process is meant to transition you to the civ div. Those who saw combat need more. They needed sooooo much more.

If I come up to you while youre in dress uniform, I'm going to thank you for your selfless act. How you respond is a simple thank you with a firm hand shake. Manners make the man.

Suck it the fuck up

When my brothers came back from The War on Vietnam, they were spat on. Now after 9-11, I get a reserved spot at stores, and a “thank you for your service” from a toad at the self checkout, who couldn’t find Ukraine on a map.

A young man that was home for Christmas (I've known him since he was little), walked w/ me & my dog. He is in the Army and just finished basic. Long story short - I asked him to please consider a plan for when he leaves (tech school / college) because he will be leaving a beast.

His spirit is showing 🖤

He's halfway to figuring out himself. All that's left to do is embrace the good and deny the doubt/fear (where ever they come from). Regardless of our chosen path, life is the same for us all.

🙏🏽