After retiring from the military, did you find it difficult to reassimilate into Civilian life?
818101
I think i know what you went through!..I spent 7 years in the Australian army, and did 3 tours to Vietnam!..Where i was then blown up 4 times by the Americans!..{mind you, they didn't discriminate, they blew each other up as well!}..But after 'demob' i found civilian life very difficult to fit back into!..I survived by going to university and getting a degree in Geology!..But i still found it hard to tolerate the odd thinking of civilians, did you notice that you didn't seem to fit in?..I wonder if this was just paranoia or what?..Many Vietvets just didn't handle it at all!..a lot went "bush" many commit ed suicide, others went insane!.Moving from one world into another so suddenly has to have some sort of effect on the unprepared mind, and i bet you were never prepared by the Army for it were you?.
980077
Having been in for 20 years and deployed many times, I can honsetly say that it has to be harder to be left !!  While I was deployed I usualy was kept occupied on the mission at hand, worrying about my soldiers etc...    My wife on the other hand though  had to keep our Household running,  all the bills had to be paid, the kids school and after school activities needed to be met (Taken to and from, all the practices, all the games) etc...  Our household still had to run and she was the one who did it and she had to do it alone most of the times.  Yes the FRG was there to assist and the friends were there to assist also but it was all on her shoulders to keep our household up and running.   I have always said that the role of the Military Spouse has never been properly addressed.  A Good Military Spouse is a rare gem and one that needs to be kept and appreciated (Something that Military Members need to keep in mind).  I thank God for my wife who dealt with the military during our service and all of the deployments.  \n\nThe Military Spouse   \n\nWhen the good Lord was creating military spouses, He was into His sixth day of overtime. \nAn Angel appeared and said, "You're having a lot of trouble on this one. What's wrong with the standard model?" \nThe Lord replied, "Have you ever seen the regulations? It has to be completely independent, must be sponsored to get on base, have the qualities of both mother and father during deployments; Be a perfect hostess to four or 40, handle emergencies without military orders, cope with the flu and move around the world, have a kiss that cures anything from a child's torn valentine to a soldier's weary day, have the patience of a saint when waiting for the unit to return stateside, and have six pairs of soft hands."\nThe Angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pair of hands? No way!" \nAnd the Lord answered, "Don't worry. We'll make other military spouses to help. Besides, it's not the hands that are causing the problem - it's the heart. It must swell with pride, sustain the ache of separation, beat soundly when it's too tired to do so, be large enough to say 'I understand' when it doesn't, and say 'I love you,' regardless." \n"Lord," said the Angel, touching his sleeve gently, "go to bed. You can finish that tomorrow." \n"I can't," said the Lord. "I'm too close to creating something unique. Already I have one who can heal itself when sick, feed unexpected guests who are stuck in the area due to bad weather, and wave goodbye to its spouse from a pier or runway and understand it's important to the country that the spouse leave." \nThe Angel circled the model of the military spouse very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed. \n"But tough," the Lord said excitedly. "You cannot imagine what this being can do or endure!" \n"Can it think?" the Angel asked. \n"Can it think? It can convert 1400 to 2 p.m.!" the Lord said. \nFinally, the Angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model." \n"It's not a leak," said the Lord. "It's a tear." \n"What's it for?" asked the Angel. \n"It's for joy, sadness, pain, loneliness and pride," the Lord said. \n"You're a genius," said the Angel. \nThe Lord looked somber and said, "I didn't put it there." \n~Author Unknown
1117166
Sorry that I cant help, but make sure that you keep most of the spare time for yourself.\nIt would be so easy to slip back into full time work, having earned a deserved retirement.
345095
Oh I so identify with you! My Dad retired after 30 years also, and then I only had him around before he passed away with a heart attack just a year afterward. So here's what I recommend: "Dad I want to applaud your long years within the Military. Although you won't be wearing a uniform any longer, I'll always think of you as the hero that you are, first to me, setting an example and teaching me responsibility; second to our country, going into harm's way making sure that those values I learned from you were available to everyone; and thirdly to the generations that arise from you for the future. I hope that you will always remember how your work has influenced my life, and given me opportunities. Happy retirement, Dad, I love you."
117227
Keep in mind that "retiring" from the military generally does not mean you retire - it simply means you are eligible for a military pension - which is about half of your highest pay rate while you were in.  Given that you also lose a number of other benefits when you retire (housing allowances, etc.), living on a half-salary is not viable for most people so in all likelihood you will still be working past the age of 42.
893749
It wasn't fun, you can bet on that.  Who knew if we would win or not.  All of my friends went into the service.  So did I.  Some of my friends never came back.  Limited gas. Certain food not available. Hard to buy new clothes. However, life went on and we finally pulled out of it.  When I came home from Italy in 1946 things had already returned to 90% of normal.  After the war, things boomed.
562484
You don't have to disclose anything about your personal views concerning the military. Tell them you "fulfilled you obligation" being Active for 23 years. Tell them you retired but you're not ready to leave the work force. They don't need to know your personal business.
635754
You would have to talk to a recruter once again they can help you my brother did it that way except he went from the army into the Marines I just stayed in the army 13B Tank bat baby yeah!!
849193
I was active duty Navy, and then went to the Navy Reserves after 6 years active. It was a hard transition to make. I had no obligations in my contract to do reserve time, so after a year I transferred back to the inactive reserves.\n\nI had nothing to do that was related to my training on drill weekends, and the thing that really pushed over the top for me was the 2 weeks active time. Being a reservist, even though we was active before (it was a unit of mostly E-4's to E-6's former active duty), we was treated like crap by the active duty people. Maybe I was just lucky, but we never did that on the ship I was on when I was active.
552362
I think you are alittle ahead of yourself.  It is much different being in boot camp and I assure you it is much difficult than you think. Just because you can do this and that in the civilian world doesn't mean nothing. Here say from other military people, a friend etc.  is just here say. Look sweetie you do not belong to yourself or your parents when you go into service...the government owns you and tells you what you can and canot do   Do more for our country by helping those less forturnate than you. Go to college or try and open up your own business. Own yourself ok?
88638
Absolutely not. some large employers, as a matter of policy may pay you some or all of your salary for some period of time.\n\nMost civilian employers support their servicemembers by holding positions for them, while some even maintain insurance benefits. The better the relationship these deployed citizen-Soldiers maintain with their employer, the better their reintegration is likely to be upon returning to their civilian jobs.\n\nthe only legal requirement is tha they not discriminate under the guidelines of the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act. This act provides strict guidance for both servicemembers and employers. Some employers choose to go above and beyond what the act requires.
523812
YES!!!  I'm sure it sucks, but you are more than half way there.  Might as well get a retirement out of all your hard work.  If you've made it 11 years, you've got enough rank it doesn't suck as much as it did when you first started out.  Stick it through.  You've given enough of your life, the army owes you something.  9 more years is a long time, but you've seen 11 already.  Do it.
204930
I hope you have a great understanding of the German language.  It is a beautiful country and I can really understand why you would want to stay there.\n\nDoes the base that you are on have a family support center?  Also, I know when my husband got out of the AF, they provided a transition program to help him adjust to civilian life.  You might be able to check those out.\n\nOtherwise, I'd suggest you make friends with some of the local residents there and start asking questions.
275151
not single but I have been outside of the us.  I've been to england and france.  i lived in england for four years growing up...father was in the military (retired now).  Since I've been married I have been to the Carribian(sp?)
821471
I was a female in the navy for 4 yrs. I learn a lot and had great fun doing it. The freinds you make in there last forever and it is a different kinda friends too. More special I would say. I got out in 96 and still talk to a few of my closer friends. As far as jobs no it didnt help me in a way, the job I had was an operational specialist. radar, navagation, and that kinda stuff near the bridge of the ship ( top ) If I had it to do over again I would make sure that the job I got was one that would trasfer to a civilian job. Which mine didnt. But having been in the Navy looks great on resumes.I will never regret my choice to join. What an andverture. traveling was the best. Singapore, Guam, Hawii,Hong Kong, Germany, Persian Gulf, Dubai let alone the states. I would strongly recommend if to a female for sure, specially if you have no outlook for college or anything like that. Cause I didnt even want to think of college.. So I hope you choose what is good for you and have fun doing whatever it is that the future stores. Best of luck to you
657722
Quoting a friend, my job as a military spouse is hard, but my husband's job is harder! I've loved being a military dependent. My life has greater purpose knowing I am supporting freedom simply by loving my husband and offering him a retreat that he can depend on in the midst of the intense stress of his job (even though he may hardly be home to enjoy that!). Not only that, my personal benefits have been many: I've made some incredible friends, broadened my horizons in a hundred different ways, discovered an inner strength and independence I only barely knew I had, and had the privilege of experiencing the benefits of military life (although they may be dwindling!). Yes, it's a tough life, but it's worth every minute for every lesson learned, and for the opportunity to support my husband as he lives out his dream to defend freedom.
196066
Nope but i was stopped a few months ago - i went to post some letters at about 3am which is normal for me but strange to them i guess so they ran a check on me it came up clean and i went on my merry way.\n\nthey tried to make small talk asked me what i was studying and said i should consider joining the force (yeah right) but i was freezing cause i only went out in a hoodie and only anticipated being out of my house for 3 minutes max.