Viet Nam vets: Is it possible for you to express the fear to be there?
354617
Untill you have lived through it there is no possiable way to help you understand it. There are many things that must remain in nam, it goes beyond fear into many other avenues that are best left back there. Alot of vets were scared to come back to the states because of the way they knew they would be treated. There is no way to explain the fear of war or of returning to home land knowing you would not be welcomed!
448720
You know, it's all in your head. Believe me, I've gone thru that way of thinking myself and so has eveyone else, but nobody wants to admit it. Even those bubbly people (you know which ones I'm talking about) they doubt themselves too, but they change their way of thinking as well as their view of life. Let's face it, NOBODY asked to be brought to this world, but now that we're here, let's make the best of it. Thank you God or Budah or whoever or whatever you believe in that you can see, talk, eat, hear, walk etc. without assitance and that YES everything is a test from your personal God, but only so that you can become a stronger and wiser person than before. Believe me, you could be in Iraq wondering if the next bomb is going to kill you next or your family.
911305
Anxiety is fear of the unknown.  To get over the anxiety of something yet to come, I find it useful to think in terms of "facing a challenge," versus "a problem."  This simple change of terminology will start you off with the right attitude.\n\nAnother technique is to use this analogy: think of yourself as a "Special Agent" being sent abroad for the service of your country.  Of course, you're really there for your own betterment, which is noble as well (accepting this stress for your education).  But by "pretending", you can take on the attitudes and methods of a "Special Agent":  open eyes, critical mind, and a "can do" attitude.\n\nThis, by the way, should be your approach against those who are out to cheat you or harass you.  You don't hate them, you're just being more wary.  You should withhold your trust (but not your love of humanity) and secure all your important stuff.  Passport, cash, and credit cards should be hidden, and if you carry them, carry them "tight to the body" --- hide them well.\n\nIt will still be hard, leaving your home for a foreign land very different from your home.  You may cry nightly for a few weeks.  But the great thing about us humans is that we adapt very well, very quickly.  It's almost like we're bored of it.  The mind is saying, "so what else is new?"  Allow yourself the crying time -- it's natural.  But look forward to the time when it (the experience) becomes "old hat".  \n\nGood luck.
595266
The only way to get rid of fear is to face it. Make up your mind to face them.BE BRAVE!!!!
174617
NO! I'm a Viet-Nam veteran,I suffer from P.T.S.D.islolation is what I do most.I avoid crowds.
884014
of course.  you will never know the reality of life outside the US until you go.  especially if you are out to defend our country.  Some people can assimilate upon return but some cant.  It just gives you to much of a different perspective. \n\nwho ever said never heard of it effecting someone in a negative way?  you must not have seen your father sitting in the corner of his bedroom screaming to get the vc with the grenade.  How can the threat of dying everyday you wake up not effect you negative? and no he didnt crack, he was 18 years old with people shooting at him.  read up there are 1000s of stories of the things vet of foreign wars go through.  and remember them when you see someone in the military.  They put their lives on the line for you to be here.  never forget that.
235073
I was in Nam in 2001.  But too young for the war.\n\nMaybe you should go back and check it out now.  It might help put the past behind you.
939770
well it's not all birdies and sunshine I can tell you that much.  There are a lot of nights when you're up into the wee hours, and a lot of mornings when you're up before the sun.  There's a lot of yelling, and a lot of orders that appear to be pointless. You might feel like giving up sometimes because it's not like anything you've dealt with before....\n\nBut the camaraderie that you experience in the Army is like nothing else you can experience in the "civilian" world.  There's a sense of honor and pride that is instilled in you, to where you hold your head up where ever you go.  You are proud of yourself.  You know that you have done something important with your life.\nAnd the people who serve above you, below you and at your side become as irreplaceable as if they were blood.  \nIt's a good life.  One I'm proud to live.\n\n\nAnd trist:...Obviously if you are telling stories that you grandfather told; You're not in the military.  And you're the one that really has no idea what it's like in a combat zone.  Comparing today's warfare to that of WW2 is like comparing apples and freakin' oranges.
583025
Absolutely! There were many times while I was in the Army that I felt like doing that. However, it was in my best interest not to. I don't think this is limited to just the military though, I've felt that way at least once about every boss I've ever had... I think it's natural to feel that way sometimes.\n\nCheers :)
1051746
Well I must ask if you have ever served in a combat zone??  Ever had 35 people trying to take your life with a Kalasnakov 7.62 x 59?? Ever walked through a jungle in South America filled with people trying to find and kill you so they could continue the drug trade?? Ever step out of a high performance Air Force aircraft in the cold and dark of night with 135 pounds of gear strapped to your body??\n Sometimes people need something more to believe in. I have had soldiers die in my arms... watched as team members were shattered into conorted shapes in front of me. As my father did in Korea and Vietnam.... and three of my great uncles in WWII.  \n  If your life depended on one person fearing just a little less and willing to give just a little more.... you might find just a half a heart beat is long enough to pray.\n Maybe I don't believe in or agree with all the politics of this country... but I believe in my fellow soldier... and in God.  Yes, alot of us pray in combat zones.... we pray that one day we can go home to our families.... we pray we won't get shot or struck by an IED on the next partol... we pray our leaders on the ground will make the right choices..... and most of pray we'll never have to come back and do what we do again.\n Ever heard of the National Southern Bapist Convention.... most of them are Democrats... and they have soldiers in the group too.  God doesn't deal with your agenda's and politics.... only your soul.  \n\n So yes, alot of us soldiers do pray in combat.... we just ask that if you don't pray... remember, it was the soldier who gave you the right to worship or not too.  And while bullets are flying... remember it is us that is willing to give our lives so you have the ability to voice your opinion without fear of retribution.
1075989
It's war,it's not amazing at all.  No matter what shape or form war comes in, what look should they have on their faces? I think what you mistake as fear is actually focus, bravery, determination....it's easy for someone who isn't there to do what you do in these questions and answers but until you are there doing what they do, nobody will respect you for sitting back on your pc criticizing those who protect your freedoms here in America.  You are disgraceful...I don't believe you are a VET, you lack too much respect, and with these comments you make, not only respect  for servicemen now but for all who have fallen over time,and lack of respect for yourself....
790627
Let me see, I am in the place of the enemy of the U.S.A. \nOK, I've imagined that.\n\nI am scared out of my mind.\n\nI surrender.
684119
I have to say other than pay my taxes I have done NOTHING to support the current war effort in Iraq, but have supported it in Afghanistan.  I have friends serving in both locations and I remind them as often as we can email that regardless of how people feel about the wars I will NOT let them return to the "welcome" our vietnam veterans got.  I also discuss (that's right discuss) my views with others who share them and don't share them. I have learned a lot and they have too.\n\n(Remember, supporting our troops who are doing their job is NOT the same as supporting the wars.)
204187
I do believe it is possible to stay in with anxiety atacks depending on what your MOS or CMF is. If you are combat arms like I was, then no, obviously not. However, if you are a supply specialist, or a quartermaster or something of that nature, you may be able to get a waiver for it.
1003224
Agreed, and just for a preemptive strike I'd like to mention that someone will almost certainly come in here and say "IF U DUNT BELEAVE N HEL DEN Y R U AFEARD UV IT?! !! LOLZOAZLO"\nTo this I say, if someone threatened you, and perhaps even many of the people you love with torture would it not upset you even if you knew they would never actually go through with it? Isn't just the idea that they take pleasure in the thought enough to piss you off? I know it is for me.
744894
When someone leaves on a deployment it's like you hit a brick wall.  They keep moving forward and you can't go along for the ride.  You have no idea what he's dealing with, and you can't relate when he tells you about his day.  You just have to listen, but chances are you won't understand.  You'll be worried sick while he's gone and stupid things will make you break down in tears.  Don't kid yourself.  Being over there and knowing your job is a lot different than being the one that sits at home waiting by the phone...Hoping that the conversation with him you had the other day wasn't indeed the last one you'll ever have with him.
783920
I would say first that I'm sorry because they must be very worried but that I could not stand seeing my father get killed nor the dishonour of him staying home. that's why I took the family sword and joined the army.\nI would say that I was frightened first. I felt discouraged, alone and then I found strength and courage in myself thanks to my friends.\nI would say that I discovered that to learn something you had to repeat it until you do it (or know it) perfectly.\nI would say know that I found out that differences between men and me could be softened with the use of my brains and that I am grateful they educated me.\nI would say that friendship is a very strong power. It can overrule prejudice and win every battle.\nI would say that lying is the worst thing you can do to your family and friends because of the pain that you can cause and because you can lose someone's trust when it's the most precious thing in a relationship.\nThen, I would say that I love them and that I'm very happy to be still alive to be able to tell them later all the great adventures I lived.