Krystalraev

Not OP, but I can give some insight.

Soldiers (Airman, Marines, what have you) with families have greater responsibilities than singles just to themselves. Depression and anxiety change your behavior and personality enough that the family takes notice. The veteran wants to keep it together and doesn't want his family to know the horrors of war or the emotional toll the military has taken on them, so they keep everything to themselves even though the family notices the night terrors, the mood swings, and the changed pattern of behavior. They try to be understanding at first, but it's human nature to take offense and many military families split.

This is a tough burden to bear, even if you're going to see your VA therapist once a week. You don't want to take the meds they're giving you because they make you sick or could be a sign that you're weak or crazy. Maybe you try them for a week and nothing changes. It doesn't help that it's only been a month in and you don't even trust your therapist yet.

You are severely underprepared for returning to civilian life where very few people have any discipline (staple of military life), there is no common respect or comradery, and you don't relate to anyone. It's disappointing. Bring these feelings into your home life and it's significantly worse. If you don't have a job lined up, you suddenly have time that you don't know what to do with. This is especially irritating because you're used to being on a schedule. You are used to having a purpose (even if it was a very small purpose in the military). You're irritated that no one understands all of this.

Time heals most of this, unless you have PTSD. I don't have it, but know a few people who do and I can't really speak on their behalf.

Hollywood demonized the entire thing- read about Jane Fonda over there if you'd like a blood boiling experience.

You might want to try Cuba too. I want to.

Landmark forum is definitely not for everyone. I have to say that it did expand my thinking outside of my own head, but good God was it boring and led by a sociopath.

I prefer validation therapy in a one on one setting to the retreats. I feel like you could read a book and get out of it whatever you could at a landmark forum-esque type of thing.

Hi, I think I'm a little late to the party, but I'll ask anyway.

I'm an AF vet and I transitioned in pretty smoothly when I was 19- I rose through the leadership ranks, volunteered for absolutely everything, did pretty well assimilating. Transitioning out though took a few years though and I wasn't even overseas or in combat, and there are still times where I'm frustrated with civilian life. Do you have any ideas of how to overcome that? I know there are people out there with it way worse than me.