I served from 2000-2004 (0351, 3/6, Cpl) and did two combat tours. I immediately got a job and used my GI Bill, and while my transition was smooth compared to others, I still struggled with depression, anxiety and just trying to deal with the culture shock of going from one environment to the other. I never thought about suicide in terms of actually killing myself, but I had times where I really didn't care one way or the other if I kicked the can. Biggest thing I can tell anyone who is still serving is to document everything in your medical STRs at BAS no matter how mundane or latent it may seem. Allergies, strained muscle at the gym, numbness in your hand, headaches, etc. You don't have to be in a wheel chair or in combat to qualify for VA compensation and other benefits. If your a vet who's already out, just get with your local county VSO office and ask them for help with the process regardless of what you think you may or may not qualify for. Many conditions are presumptive based on areas that you were deployed (allergies, IBS, headaches, etc.) and others are presumptive based on your MOS (tinnitus and hearing loss). You can get tinnitus from being exposed to loud noises such as, in my case using rocket launchers, or simply being a dental tech in the Air Force and being around constant drilling noise. Aside from monthly compensation, veterans who rate a 50% or higher can recieve free healthcare, free counseling, job training, and other benefits for higher ratings. I'm always amazed by how many veterans are unaware of what VA benefits are available to them. Wish you all the very best.

Currently thinking about getting out. I’m a 28 year old CPT finishing my Company Command time and to tell you I’m burnt out is an understatement. I def appreciated this video.

Retired with 26 years in the Army…everything you mentioned resonated with my own experiences.

Awesome video. I been out for 12 years and I am still adjusting. Keep moving, stay positive, stay busy. 👌🤙

This dosent get talked about enough. Thank you for posting it helped me knowing I’m not the only one feeling this way

Been in for 5 years. Security forces and grunt. Getting out in 20 days. Hope it goes well

Im in the army i joined at 32 im 34 now and have 3 more years to go , im so glad i found this chanel ! Subscribed for sure .

Thanks for sharing yoir story! It definitely reasonates.

Hey! Your cinematography is amazing. much love from one veteran to another!

Great video thank you

Thank you for this.

Seems like our journeys and transitions have gone nearly the same except i was enlisted. Awesome video Brother.

Thanks for this man, I’m an Air Force captain getting out in a year and definitely nervous but going back for masters using my GI Bill to help me transition/help the transition

Thanks for sharing. I'm two years out of the Navy, still in the 'traveling/tryng to figure out how to make a living with a camera' phase. Inspiring work, good luck!

I joined the Army late in life at 28, it was always my childhood dream. I signed a 6-year contract, I have 10 months left and really struggling with not knowing what to do. A HUGE part of me wants to get out and live my own life, I'm starting to feel trapped and incredibly depressed. but the other part doesn't want to give up my childhood dream. But I feel I'm unfit to continue serving if that makes sense. I'm so conflicted.

Ben, thanks for your service brother. Served in the Army for 21 years and retired in 1999. Army Ranger, 2nd Battalion, LRSC, Airborne Battalion Combat Team, etc. Transition from active duty back to civilian life is a lonely experience. It’s a complete loss of routine, discipline, focus and morale. You need to have a support group, stay in touch with your brothers and live life one day at a time. Doesn’t matter if it was a 2 year hitch or 30 year hitch, once you drive out that gate for the last time, it’s a ball buster. I struggled for years but eventually refocused and got my mind oriented on my goals. Anyone can do it but you must maintain contact with your brothers. They love you unconditionally and will always be there. Wish you luck in your future endeavors and Godspeed brother. RLTW and USMC.

Honestly, some of us never really get over it. I was a Marine 0311 for years, did two combat tours, and for awhile was an EI at TBS, so we walked similar grounds... Anyway, I've been out for awhile now and have an amazing job with killer pay. I get to travel the world nonstop and make significantly more money than I need....yet would trade it all in to be a young, broke lance corporal again. This is pathetic, I know, because a lot of it is just a desperate bid to regain my youth and not have to grow up and be an adult. But just being honest---I was much happier back then. Maybe everyone feels this way to a certain extent, because adulting is hard... And maybe its even harder when in your youth you got to be in this amazing outfit which allowed you to experience so much---yet at the same time provided you with this safety net that protected you from so much. I realize now that the Corps was this crazy paradox in which you had to worry about dying...but you didn't have to worry about living. Like you could literally die in combat or even in training...but you didn't have to worry at all about normal life stuff--- like food, shelter, medical care, etc because that stuff was always going to be provided. So, yeah---you had to worry about dying, but not about living. And something about that is cool as hell when you're a young man.

Glad I came across this video and I hope more see it. I got out a decade ago and I think the two reasons I had it easier than others was 1. Having purpose (school) and 2. Living within 45 minutes of my last unit. I could go see all those guys on Pendleton if I wanted- and I did- and it helped ease out of it. I found the veteran community in community college was extremely good at getting vets from the tribal military mindset to reach out and find their communities and follow-on colleges. We'd always hang out together but invite other organizations to get a good two-way conversation going. By the time I got to my 4 year university, the mission was clear, the community was close, and day by day, you sort of "de-program", or at least learn to leave the bad behind (and go to therapy about it) and take the good and apply it to the next stage. The end result was a new hybrid vet student/alumni community where we all still hang out. The point is the community is the foundation. Even the biggest introverts need one. You gotta put yourself out there and realize life and growth happens outside your bubble. Glad you took time to travel the world too- it helps you move on and establish a new foundation and outlook on life.

I'm effectively done with the Army in a little over a month. I say effectively because I go on leave a few days before Christmas which will carry me into my 120 day internship program at the start of the new year. Once I'm done with that I return to post to clear and go on terminal leave.

I came across your channel by happen-stance and find it compelling. I retired from the Air Force in 1998 after 28yrs. I did 4 yrs in Vietnam as a Pararescueman (PJ). I was only a trigger pull away from ending my life because of losing my closet friend on a mission. But I realized at the last moment that I have people who depend on me. I was wounded shortly after that incident and I retrained into aircraft maintenance. After retirement from the AF, I became a cop in California and retired from that in 2012. I don't miss that job. I miss the military. But the military isn't for everyone. I honor your service and deeply respect what you've chosen to do. My younger brother retired from the Corps as a MGSgt. So I have a strong fondness for the Corps. Now, I'm an advocate for Veterans seeking mental health care. I'm looking forward to hearing more of what you're doing. Semper Fi.

I just found this channel and I guess Ill share my story. So I got out of the Navy after 6 years about 3 years ago and started college just after. My goals were to buy a house that I could renovate and improve, get a job, start college, and continue in Jiu-Jitsu. Well, everything that I had set my mind to I am completing. BUT after I got out, the zeal of civilian life drained real quickly. Starting college showed me that I was no longer apart of a team of tough individuals who understood eachother. I was now just another face in the crowd doing everything for myself and not leading junior people. I am currently in an aviation school to be a commercial pilot and I thought there would be a team atmosphere but I was sure wrong. Overall, life after the military has been better, but it was so much more of a struggle than I ever anticipated. I cannot wait to see what this channel puts out in the future. Subscription earned.

Semper fi brotha

I have 36 days left in the U.S. military.

Hey man this video helped me as a 38 year old civilian! I am thinking about joking with a kid! 18 year old girl and 5 year old girl! But here’s the thing this video is about transitioning to civilian life and how hard it is! My thought is the civilian life has made me drink, depression, and stress! So for me I’m looking to get out of the civilian life and have the support of the military! I will hate reliving civilian life and enjoy military! My daughter matters and being a single dad in civilian life has its struggles too! I’m talking to a recruiter now for a better life! I know it sounds crazy but just flip it all! I may be saved and my daughter by joining make sense!

I'm sorry to say sir but you looked disturbed in this video, but i understand your situation, i have high respect to soldiers. I do not know what all soldiers go through during deployment. May God bless, guide and guard you on your new career. May you have a million subscribers someday.

3:33 is that Okinawa or Guam?

I just got out. It sucks out here.

very handosme with uniform 👍👍

Looking to enlist for 4-6 yrs, wondering why s**c*de ideation is so common!?

Everyone is depressed and suicidal?