I would have to agree with this. Ignorance and a lot of dishonesty from our governments. Most of those problems mentioned in the poll cannot be addressed until we get to their root cause(s)
Hey Tom, Retirement bored the hell out of me. I recently got hired for a job in Afghanistan. Leaving here on 12 March so one might say I, along with families of those serving have a personal interest in being smart about removing combat troops from those areas.
50,000/80,000 are very conservative numbers. I'm not much of a bean counter but I know enough to know those numbers without combat support would necessitate the need for an increase in body bags as those troops and advisors would be easy pickings. Also, those numbers would never support the other programs the US is working in those countries (even if things were calm). I doubt those assistance programs will go away anytime soon.
I don't understand why government doesn't come clean with the American people and let them know the truth. Actually, I do... It's politics and the idea of telling people what they wish to hear rather than what they need know.
I believe if we leave those numbers in either country we'll witness more things like the Marine Barracks in Lebanon, Khobar towers, etc...
Before this gets too out of hand or ugly let's get back to your original question.
Advice #1: Take good care of those you work with and they'll take care of you. 28 years for me and this one thing has always been true in and out of hostile situations. Oh, and don't forget to keep those close relationships solid even afetr changes in assignments. Those close friends and in some cases family members are the only ones who really understand you and can help you when times get tough.
Advise #2: If you're having trouble with PTSD at any level please seek help preferably from a trained professional and get your friends involved. I'm sure if you've been over there you've seen all kinds of crap. Some handle it better than others and some hide it better than others. Just remember you're alive and you need to find a way to live life to it's fullest.
Funny you should mention that. I had to pay for my gym membership with either debit or credit card. They would not take cash. Now that i think about it, that's pretty screwed up..
You make some very good points especially about emotional life. I have had a great life and a great 1st career. I rose all the way to the top but sacraficed other more important things in the process. At the time, I thought that was most important. Now I don't see it that way. Not that I regret the path I chose but I'm not proud of all the things I have done and choices I have made along that path (if that makes any sense). I look at it now as I have a second chance to do things better with a better appreciation to those in my life than I had before..
Sparky55 Forum Posts (2,678)
RE: The Couger
Here's a video about cougars (I posted this on the barbie thread)