17 years in the British army and this is exactly what happened to me, I struggle now 10 years later, I still don't feel I have a purpose or identity outside the military, I should not of left when I did.

As a grunt who spent 8 years sleeping the dirt with the guys. Sleeping on / in tracked vehicles. PT everyday, days / weeks in the field. Cold, hot, pissed off and Miserable. Driving around Baghdad in 2005 thinking “what the fuck did I get into”….. and guess what. Best job I ever had.

The more people to bring attention to this, the better. Thank you DJ. Youre a good man.

Transition out is one of the hardest things. Going from being part of a very unique group to trying to transform back in to a civilian. It’s like reprogramming all over again.

One more thing is : how can ever top the intensity and excitement of war ,no matter how much you hate it ?

Imagine then how hard it is for those of us separated medically with no chance to mentally prepare for a transition we never wanted or that came decades too early.

You can't underestimate the upheaval leaving the forces is.20 years out and I miss it to this day.

I did 10 years as a Corpsman with the FMF. 2 tours in Vietnam and some other less publicized things. I ate, slept , did pt, ran thousands of miles, fought and bled with "My Marines". I have never felt like I did in the FMF, I belonged to the unit, I was important, I was trusted like no other time in my life. And I got out 50 years ago.

I'm struggling, mentally, I was not really ready for it to end, I miss it every day, I miss the bullshit, I miss the feeling of worth. I can't sit still. I'm always waiting for the call that's never coming.

on the last day I remember walking out of the barracks and looking up at a helicopter as it went over and thought to myself I'm never gonna be in one of those ever again. Fortunately, I was leaving to go play professional Rugby so I had something to go to . infantry life x civvy street sucks balls

I hear you sir.... The military trains you to be a warrior, they never teach you how to retire...

The comrade ship has sailed and the adrenaline rush has also gone. Everyday life, is boring.

I served 20 years, I miss my brothers everyday.

The life the rush or rougher the ride the more a man digs

We all will return to shadow Moses, always a place for a soldier………..

Much respect for the warriors who have achieved this level of success. We owe it to all our Veterans to aid in their transition back to civilian life. The transition should include education, physical therapy, and mental health assistance.

When I was a instructor on Merseyside docks uk.....my training buddy was a ex royal marine.....had some new starters to drive the tugs(scaled down hgv 1 basically).....one lad...well about 50 odd.....just come out of the army,sergeant major,said he felt lost,so sad.....so my mate barry.....he took the sm,said to him....if you cant park this trailer....which had to be jacknifed on the top deck,behind the funnels.....he said if you fail ...I want you to do a jig for me on the deck,in front of everyone......and of course he failed,and was dancing a jig on the deck....I said why have you got him doing that....he said....when we fucked up in the marines....one sm had us doing a jig.....just gtting me own back lol

Damn, I feel for him. Life will give you direction if l you look for signs.

Makes it seem like a blast. I’ve heard the other side where they are left mentally fucked after seeing there best mate blown up, nerves shot after extended times in the battle field and left with PTSD. I thought that’s why they struggle to lead normal civvy life without the mental health support

I replaced military life with motorcycle life!! Requires the same attention to detail going on, Track days, long excursions, and just basic commuting!! I do miss the squad life though!! That team/family atmosphere!!

never. thought about that side…makes sooo much sense…thanks for uploading ❤️

Well, the obvious choice is to join a biker gang.

Getting out after 27 yrs. I can’t wait for the next chapter of my life. The one thing I’ve learned is that we are all pieces of meat to the government. After 6 months people start to forget you and you forget them. Life moves on and so should you. Being part of what ever service you were in is a part of you, buts it’s not the only thing you are.

It's not hard to leave the military. What is hard is waking up the next day, like he said, knowing that you aren't going to PT with your platoon or company, not showing up for Motorpool Monday, getting texts or emails about hard times and tasks, or finding those few minutes to bs with your comrades about your past deployments, or upcoming events. Not having a mission the day after you get out is the hardest thing in the world.

Holy s***, holy s*** Good to see you, brother.

This is a fact. The silence is deafening. The lack of anyone checkin in on you, you lose your whole community. Then 1 by 1 everyone you know starts getting order to other places and deploying and your whole life that you built is just gone.

Very real words. 16yr 7mo, 8 yrs later still struggling.

No long left and he speaks the truth

Shipley stay solid bro 💯 💪

It’s two different worlds completely nothing is the same

100% .. at least now we got videos like this

Facts!

IT SUCKS!!! I TOTALLY AGREE AND LIVE WITH!! MISS IT EVERYDAY!!!

Facts facts

I think it's true that some guys do struggle with change. After my time in the British Army, I never really missed it in a negative way. We had good times, bad times and memories to last a lifetime. It was simply time to change tack, not all of us got that chance.

"You're never going to be called to put on that gear again" Particularly if your entire life has been built on it, it will make you highly self aware and annoyed

I feel like the jobs i work now are pointless, i have no purpose, everything seems dull and boring, i find no joy in everyday life i just miss the boys. Best job i ever had

13 years as a Ranger!the first 14 months out , I was a pounder keg waiting to explode. Drinking and enjoying the night life. That wasn’t me! Because of my family and great support group I got some act right . Became a firefighter and kept my mind and body busy

I was med retired after 17years......I'm still lost but I made life work.

Have to do and think for yourself. Messes military up.

True

Dude needs to play Elden ring and hit a blunt

It gets really difficult brother

This is from Mulligan Bros. Interviews

Applies to EMS/public safety/law enforcement/firefighting too.

You go from being a superhero with your and your brothers to being a regular guy and your buddies are hundreds of miles away.

I wish a lot the guys could come home and help us. They don't need guns or gear. Help by becoming community leaders because we have wolves in sheep's clothing running our country. 🙏

The last pictures in Hereford.

Then start a mercenary company. And employ ex seals.

To come to terms with how the job you've enjoyed doing was actually messing you up physically and mentally, and that you'll get limited support in transitioning and with dealing with those ongoing chronic issues...

I left the British army in 2010 after a tour of afghan. I was so angry at everyone and aggressive.. I felt lost it took me over 10 years to find my feet and relax..

As an All-time civvy with an interest in military history I have to admit that I hadn't really taken this into account!I lost both parents before my teens began I'm pretty sure that the army would have become my Mother and Father so leaving without the support of a civvy family i,m positive I would have struggled badly trying to transition. Too many young guys leaving after maybe even five or six years really need help and support in trying to choose a path.A soldiers dedication decision making and calmness under pressure means they have a lot to offer, civilian employers should take more chances when choosing future staff!!"one week I'm in charge of million dollar equipment, next week I can't get a job parking fucking cars"!--John-Rambo!😢😢

I tried Joining The Marines, I was DQed, because I was Straight and I Scored Too High on the ASVAB!

damn...

The issue is you locked your Ego to job that was never YOU. IT'S A UNIFORM. you are not the job. Your ego won't let you admit that. It's a product of a career that you allowed to imbue you with self importance... It's called, getting over your self...

That electricity bill is something ekse.

Brand name of the cap he's wearing g

Civilian Life is S##T!!!!!! I served 21 years in Marines. It was the Best Years of my life. I got out in 2006 it's been a Boring s##t show ever since...

I transitioned a few years ago… it takes a strong mindset to do what you did.. #transstrong#queerpride#LGTBQ

I left without a plan at all, not even a job lined up, ended up getting deep in criminality didnt even know how I ended up there really, one day I sort of woke up and was like wtf am I doing lol now im an average person who thinks about deployments most of the time

Actually fact.23 yrs later all fucked up and for what a good time. Left the teams and have lost all purpose in life.

I get it, after 7 Holiday Tours in the Salvation Army, I had a difficult time leaving. 2 Purple Hearts (Carpal tunnel, repetitive bell swinging, Super Walmart 06 & 09). To this day I have that 1000 inch stare!

Just enjoy your retirement and VA disability. When it's pissing rain out there you just smile from inside your warm house. Really not that hard to do. Believe me.

Veteran

Eighty Deuce Civilians suq...

Need more Peer Support for transitioning.

I almost gave up many times 😭

I did 24 years. You shortly realize that you are replaceable.