Positives
1. Your kids love you. In the long run they will sort out the truth reguardless of what you our your W will say.
2. You are leading young men some are facing the same thing you are in a tough sitch. You choose to lead there and vent here. As Enlisted I'd say that's a positive with a capital P.
3. You are going to have a down side (bear with me here) for some time after returning. It's gonna be a well but once you climb out of that well, 6 months, year, (took me two) you are going to be one tough hombre. I'm talkin mentally. You will walk up to any of our Vietnam bros and say with honesty 'Hey bro I was there' and from the corporate execs to the bikers you will be welcomed you into the fold. You faced your worst deamons while fighting a two front war and kick that deamon in the balls. Your life will be defined with a definite dividing line and mentally for the rest of your life you will be incabable of thinking any way different and a Combat trained Soldier capable of clear, wise, and calm decision making under extreem amounts of stress.

Thats a real positive. The NG commercial 'If they ask you about leadership experience thy not to smile'. Like any of your accomplishments you cherish it will be hard fought and not easily won but like your kids it will be cherished and to those who know you it will be respected.

That is nothing against the folks we left behind. How can we be welcomed into the fold of motherhood? Hi Mom

4. You have a job. OK your standard of living takes a dive. You are not alone. Lots of us return to no jobs with a public thinking we are crazy.


"All I want is a weeks pay for a day's work"
Steve Martin