Ask a soldier thread....

[bhsup]

Marine = squid

Comin' back with a big ol' whiskey tango foxtrot there!!

 

[Izipo]

Since coming home I have discovered that there is some sort of Pavlovian response that I have inherited.

Not to sound gay but sometimes these events make me cry. Seriously. Especially if I am drunk. Which seems to be a bigger problem after deployment than before...

Like Mobboss said, these are likely the first symptoms of PTSD. I would strongly urge you to see a doc about it rather sooner than later, as it will not go away on its own.

Which brings my own question :
Do you guys have a compulsory medical examination on a regular basis like we have in the French armed forces (annually) ?

 

[Patroklos]

Reacting to sounds is no big deal, that is just conditioning no different than being sensitive to creaks after watching a horror movie. That will fade after time as you adapt to your current conditions.

Crying, that you need to see things about. Though I know plenty of people who cry drunk, do you do it when sober?

 

[holy king]

Reacting to sounds is no big deal, that is just conditioning no different than being sensitive to creaks after watching a horror movie. That will fade after time as you adapt to your current conditions.

Crying, that you need to see things about. Though I know plenty of people who cry drunk, do you do it when sober?

i wouldnt try to make a diagnosis over an internet forum, especially if i am no psychotherapist...

 

[Hornblower]

I do agree with Patroklos - my reaction to bangs is simply conditioning from being shot at in Iraq. I learnt to duck and be aware of my surrounds hence I am still alive and in one piece. I think that I am more aware of my surroundings now than at any time in my life. I view this as a good thing.
I don't get freaked out by helicopters although I called in plenty of dustoffs.
I don't get freaked out by the people back home of Middle Eastern ethnicity although I do look them in the eyes until they have passed. A certain element of distrust of all foreigners isn't a bad thing in these times.
I don't lose my temper as much since I ask myself "Is it as bad as Iraq?"
I thank myself every day for living in one of the greatest and safest countries on earth (according to me) and feel sorry for those that don't get to live as I do.

 

[Gecko1]

Do you use the phrase Charlie-Foxtrot?

 

[Bronx Warlord]

I do agree with Patroklos - my reaction to bangs is simply conditioning from being shot at in Iraq. I learnt to duck and be aware of my surrounds hence I am still alive and in one piece. I think that I am more aware of my surroundings now than at any time in my life. I view this as a good thing.
I don't get freaked out by helicopters although I called in plenty of dustoffs.
I don't get freaked out by the people back home of Middle Eastern ethnicity although I do look them in the eyes until they have passed. A certain element of distrust of all foreigners isn't a bad thing in these times.
I don't lose my temper as much since I ask myself "Is it as bad as Iraq?"
I thank myself every day for living in one of the greatest and safest countries on earth (according to me) and feel sorry for those that don't get to live as I do.

I can say I experance the same things as well. I think Iraq and Afganistan will be a part of me for the rest of my life, no way around it. Anyone who spends time in a combat zone will be affected, some more than others.

 

[RalofTyr]

After World War 2, in New York, a stunt plane did a dive and a guy jumped under a car.

How would you, the service men, feel about invading Iran?

And what was your initial feelings of invading Iraq? Why did you feel you were doing it?

 

[Ecofarm]

Comin' back with a big ol' whiskey tango foxtrot there!!

You're not in the navy?

---

If anyone has a question for a real soldier (minus combat experience), I'll try to supplement the professional remf's facts.

 

[Hornblower]

After World War 2, in New York, a stunt plane did a dive and a guy jumped under a car.

How would you, the service men, feel about invading Iran?

And what was your initial feelings of invading Iraq? Why did you feel you were doing it?

Despite the propaganda Iran is not the enemy. They are a sovereign country that has all the rights of every other country and should be treated as such.

Invasion of any country is illegal in international law no matter how you look at it.

As a military member of a western nation that is involved in the Iraq conflict I say this - A member of the armed forces is an A-political instrument of the government of that country. If government policy sends their military into a warzone then it is done. They hold the mandate of the people to govern and make the decisions for them ... not the military. If the people disagree with the government then they will vote them out. The military member may have an opinion but that opinion shall remain internal. You are trained and paid to do your job. You are not paid to argue with the government.

 

[LightFang]

So I figured you know, "ask a soldier", "ask about the military" is about the same.

My friend is attempting to convince me to join the army as an engineer officer desk job type of thing.

What are the benefits of doing so? Will I still get called up to the front lines?

 

[MobBoss]

So I figured you know, "ask a soldier", "ask about the military" is about the same.

My friend is attempting to convince me to join the army as an engineer officer desk job type of thing.

What are the benefits of doing so? Will I still get called up to the front lines?

Most likely yes. There just happens to be a lot of stuff that needs building in Afghanistan and Iraq...and thats what engineers do.

 

[Paul in Saudi]

I have not been shot at in more than 25 years. Last week or so when one of the guards on my compound let his bolt fly onto an empty chamber (and behind my back too boot) I darn near jumped down his throat. My palms were sweating for at least half an hour afterwards.

Some things just never seem to go away.