All The LTCOL is venting. He cannot vent to his troops and we have not met his Sargent Major. He is correct in venting here and we are reacting to the negative side. Better here than infront of his troops. It's harder to send people to a sitch where they may die than to do it yourself least for me.
Uh-Rah LTCOL.
With that said this is my no nonsense kneeJerk reaction. Cause I'm a medical corpsman I take the kinder gentler side of things. I got through a repatriation (all stated harder than deployment for reservists and NG), caring for a alzeimer's inflicted parent until their death, the divorce, retirement or move away from D13, employer who lied like a rug, Katrina, X remarrying, A Navy that did not take physical care of their combatants but coddled the rear area folks, and last and least a huge drop in the standard of living.
I did not see a positive for around two years after returning and it was not for a lack of searching or trying.
Hey no worries you can do it too. Steel is refined by pressure, heat, and a pissed off E8 or E9. I'm only an E6 bustin my a$$ to make E7 so I do not count on the ass kickin of O5s.
The downturn of mental positive outlook is unavoidable in what you will face. You have us which is more that I acquired. (VA was available and I understand does very well). Don't be afraid to use the VA or contact us.
When you get back it's gonna take awhile however you made the right decision and this and the future gauntlet you will run through will prepare you for the challenges ahead.
I will suggest 1. Drink less or none at all 2. Find like minded folks if possible. Vent there or here. Not at work or among civilians. They are empathetic but can easily get the wrong message. No woman can tell me how it is to be pregnant. 3. PT PT PT 4. Start looking at where you went wrong and start researching 180s. I mean researching cause each 180 does not mean it's a better decision. 5. When it gets too dark get on a plane to the Ala gulf coast and sit by the waves in front of doc. If you bring bottles I'll hand you cups and keep the bottles in a cooler. The LFGD stand infront of the tavern. I've listened to many folks comin back from the sandbox including the Army Medical OIC who was deployed at the same FOB I was. Good 'its a small world story'
When you emerge from the deployment and it's aftermath you will come out different. Your efforts during that time will determine what you will be.
You are not going to do anything FK_Stupid no matter how dark it gets. It can get dark. It sucks when your future suddenly dims and prospects are much less than before. You ain't the first nor will be the last.
You are doing well in the From now on it's about someone else and on this forum it's about FLTC. It's gotta be about FLTC somewhere and this is as good as place. You done a good job on OPSEC.
I realize often we write here about us since it's to vent and share thus that ends my kneejerk no nosense reaction.
You da man LTCOL Uh-RAH
"All I want is a weeks pay for a day's work" Steve Martin
