How do you cope?

10-23-10, 10:36 AM

I got into volunteering in the community, joined the local Search and Rescue society and am now in charge of training for the group. Don't know what it's like in your neck of the woods but I would imagine there are many agencies crying out for motivated people used to serving for a greater good. For me, volunteerism has largely filled the hole left by not being "part of the team" anymore.

Like Steve says, Life is Life. You can never go back so dwelling on what was is a huge waste of energy.

Platapus · 10-23-10, 01:01 PM

I guess I was lucky, I was able to transfer to a civilian job that was almost exactly like what I was doing in the military. The only difference for me was that I had to wear a suit (everyone has a "uniform") and receive a little more than twice my pay.

But I realize that not everyone in the military can transfer so cleanly. That is one of the reasons I left EOD. Civilian jobs for EOD are limited.

If it is not too personal, can we ask what your concerns are? If you prefer to discuss this in PM, please feel free to PM me.

I would like to help if I can, baring that, I make a pretty good sounding board to bitch to.

Sailor Steve · 10-23-10, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randomizer

I Like Steve says, Life is Life. You can never go back so dwelling on what was is a huge waste of energy.

That's true too, but my own point and experience are just the opposite. I adjusted well because I take it easy - perhaps too easy. For someone who lives life more intensely it may be harder to adjust to any new thing, especially post-military life.

If there are specific problems he needs to figure out exactly what they are and what he can do about them. Someone who has been through that adjustment phase can probably give better advice than I can.

Randomizer, it sounds like you're one of those who made the adjustment.

JokerOfFate · 10-23-10, 02:49 PM

The only problems I have is the constant waiting for something to happen, checking windows for snipers. I miss my gear as well

Platapus · 10-23-10, 05:07 PM

Ah, then perhaps the issue is not coping with being out of the military, but coping with being out of combat. The two are not the same.

The last time I was in "combat" was 1983 so my experiences probably won't relate to your experiences.

This sounds serious. Do you have access to mental health programs?

10-23-10, 01:01 PM	#2
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	I guess I was lucky, I was able to transfer to a civilian job that was almost exactly like what I was doing in the military. The only difference for me was that I had to wear a suit (everyone has a "uniform") and receive a little more than twice my pay. But I realize that not everyone in the military can transfer so cleanly. That is one of the reasons I left EOD. Civilian jobs for EOD are limited. If it is not too personal, can we ask what your concerns are? If you prefer to discuss this in PM, please feel free to PM me. I would like to help if I can, baring that, I make a pretty good sounding board to bitch to. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

10-23-10, 05:07 PM	#5
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Ah, then perhaps the issue is not coping with being out of the military, but coping with being out of combat. The two are not the same. The last time I was in "combat" was 1983 so my experiences probably won't relate to your experiences. This sounds serious. Do you have access to mental health programs? __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

10-23-10, 10:36 AM	#1
Randomizer Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	I got into volunteering in the community, joined the local Search and Rescue society and am now in charge of training for the group. Don't know what it's like in your neck of the woods but I would imagine there are many agencies crying out for motivated people used to serving for a greater good. For me, volunteerism has largely filled the hole left by not being "part of the team" anymore. Like Steve says, Life is Life. You can never go back so dwelling on what was is a huge waste of energy.

10-23-10, 02:49 PM	#4
JokerOfFate Sonar Guy Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 387 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	The only problems I have is the constant waiting for something to happen, checking windows for snipers. I miss my gear as well