After I left the Navy, every job I had I felt like a shadow of my former self. What should I do? Go back in?
399497
I understand exactly what you are experiencing.  I went in in 1966, went to Viet Nam and got out in 1970.  Everything I did for the next two years was hollow.  No sense of urgency, no real need for me, and I missed the JAZZ (to borrow a term from the A-Team).  I ended up going back to the Air Force in 1972.  You may be like I was.  If you are, nothing will fill that void except the military.  You need to be awakened at 0400 because someone needs you.  You need to work two or three back to back shifts because you are the only one with the skills necessary.\n\nThe only thing I really regret is the way the country is going.  There are people here who have no idea what is going on around them but they have the same rights as everyone else.  I was part of the mechanism that insured they could keep those rights.\n\nI have a friend who retired after I did, we communicate on a regular basis.  I have sent him dozens of articles about some dead head or another and all I ask is for him to tell me why we did the time.\n\nI sure this helps.  Best of luck in whatever YOU choose...
367188
If I were you, I would seriously think about wanting out.  You look depressed in your pic, but do you really want out of the Guard?  Talk to your friends, family, and your Chain of Command about this.  I think that if you seek the help, you'll be fine.  The years go by fast (trust me!), you'll have cash for college, training you cannot receive anywhere else, and a camaraderie with co-workers that is unexplainable.  \n\nYou do have to be careful about what kind of discharge you receive.  The military may or may not discharge you for depression.  I have a friend in the Navy that was on anti-depressants for the last year and now they are kicking her out because her rate (MOS) is overmanned and she cannot arm up (she is military police).  You can find out more about what kind of discharge you would be facing by talking with your COC or admin dept.  It can take a long time for the process too--keep that in mind.  Good Luck!
494399
Riding Away.\nSorry I t was not for riding motor cycle It was for\nWILFUL NEGLIGENCE FROM DUTY AND ABSENCE FROM WORK SPOT  FOR WHICH YOU ARE PAID. YOUB HAVE NO BUSNIESS FOR DESERTING YOUR POST WHERE AS A TRUE SOLDIER YOU ARE EXPECTED TO STAND AND GURAD>HOW CAN THERE BE A DERELICTION OF DUTY.\nI THINK YOU GOT AWAY WITH DISMISAL AND NOT ANY ARREST AS IF THE SAME THING HAD HAPPENED IN ARMY THATS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED\n\nI am really sorry that you lost your job and it never occured to you that what you did was unethical as otherwise you would not have done it.May be this is your first job and \nyou were in your training period and no one advised you or some one wilfully misguided you . NEVER MIND Look out for new better job and be happy. \nALL THE BEST. DONT BROOD OVER PAST AND FEEL BAD.\nYOU DID SOMETHING WITOUT KNOWING IT WAS WRONG\nYOU STILL ARE UNABLE TO RECONCILE WITH THE SITUATION AS YOU STILL BELIEVE THAT WHAT YOU DID WAS NOT A BIG CRIME NECESSITATING SUCH A BIG PENALTY AS DISMISSAL. YES \nA WARNING COULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN. THE WATCH AND WARD AT EXIT GATE COULD HAVE WARNED YOU ETC ETC .\nWE HAVE TO ENDURE ALL SUCH THINGS IN LIFE \nHAVE FAITH IN GOD GO AHEAD GET THIS OUT OF YOUR MIND\nBE HAPPY
400425
If you are really unhappy, you should think about changing jobs.  I changed my job two years ago because of a similar experience and I have never been happier.  There is also a high level of stress in my new school, but now I feel I have the support from my superiors at all times instead of the critics I used to have.
439025
It sounds like you lost yourself, and all your stress is stem from the responses from people around you, do something for yourself and do it in a way that you love it with a purpose and forget about how others would think.
430938
Well since I helped get you the job, I think you should take it!! It will help you to become a more rounded person, it will help build character and self-esteem! I know my brother and after you get routine down, things will be fine. There are always bumps in the road, its how you get over them that matter. Kiss Lani and Miranda for me, oh and what should we do for dinner??
855899
We all change and develop over time.....you are not exactly the same person you were 5 years ago.  So don't expect to be.  It seems what you have is a little lack of confidence.....happens to all of us.  Just get back on the horse so to speak.....but do it in small doses......Do some of the things you used to do and build little successes.....get your rythm back.... in the process you will make new friends and you'll forget all about this period....
1126135
I will pray for your job search and your anxiety.  Sometimes, as I'm sure you're aware, you have to job hop until you find something fulfilling.  That really takes it's toll on you emotionally, but don't stay at a dead end boring job.  Life it too short.  Good Luck!.....)(
58305
Hi - I'm sorry that you feel that way. It sounds like you may need to talk with someone professional. There are so many things to be done that can help you to feel more social, or to alleviate that "empty" feeling. I hope you mention these feelings to someone near you who is kind and very caring.
938072
Timely.\n\nI leave my job, and my career of 26 years, on the 15th December.  I no longer love it.\n\nWhy didn't I leave earlier? \nA desire for financial security (I'm still not quite sure what else I'm going to do, and my skills are quite specialised).  A perception that what I was doing was hardly the worst of jobs: well paid, normal hours, socially useful...\nA strong possibility that my problems were due to depressive illness, not my job, and that the main thing was to keep working while addressing my medical condition.\nA fear of being unemployed, and how that would be seen by family and friends...\n\nNow, what would I love doing that I can actually make a living at, seeing as I can't quite retire, yet?\nI'm about to find out.
183222
time to stop feeling sorry for yourself...get a hobby, spend time with family and friends, catch up on the reading, balance the check book, do some volunteer work...work on YOU. You can't change your former's feelings.\ntime to move on.
592610
First, feel free to really mourn.  Don't wallow in it, of course, but let the feelings run their course.  They begin the healing process.  \n\nSecondly, begin doing things you know you used to enjoy, even if you don't feel like it.  You might not get the same kick out of things at first, but sometimes you have to act like you feel good before you actually do.  \n\nFinally, remember to count your blessings.  Focus on the good things in your life.  There are many more than you may see now, but you'll see more as time goes by.  The more you focus on the positive, the more positive your outlook and your life will become.\n\nGood luck.  We've all been there.
806634
put something , "i was unable to realise my full potential in my previous job "
411653
I'm saddened to hear that you live in this state.  Sounds like you were traumatized a year ago.  I've been through this. It's a horrible feeling. Asking these questions and reaching out for help shows that you are beginning to come out of it.  To return to reality,  face your troubles no matter how much it hurts.  Talk to a counselor, pastor, friend, teacher.  Continue to ask questions if it makes you feel better.  I wish you a bright future!
909971
Don't be too hard on yourself, going back home is bound to bring back memories even at a subconscious level. Try to remain positive and drink lots of water, take a brisk walk for 1/2 an hour at least three times a week (but remember if you haven't exercised for a while you will need to build up to it start with whats comfortable then build up from there) eating right helps but without water and exercise it is a lot harder...good luck!
591116
Thanks for the military work you have and are doing. About your question, it's not unusual for a person to be "unsettled" after returning from military service. Actually, it's like two diffrent worlds. Yes truck driving does present some good pay and also you are on the road and can see the usa. This would probably be good for you during your "re-adjustment" to civilian life.I feel like you will need some "elbow room" for a while to your thoughts get tuned to everday work life. Also, if no special girl now, try to find you one. Thats the starting point to settling and working and family and life. Also, study the New Testament, learn it by heart, then more answers will come to you. Never can tell, you may be called to preach the "gospel". Study and see. So looks like you got a lo of things before you, so get going and GOOD LUCK!
846919
That is a difficult thing to do.  Every time you feel yourself go back to the past, stop, tell yourself to let it go and maybe that will help.  If not, maybe talk to someone?  I hope you can work it out.  Don't be TOO hard on yourself.  Peace!