After my 10 years in active duty Army, I got hired by Academi (formerly known as Blackwater) and worked in Afghanistan as an armed security guard. Best job I ever had. However, after doing one full year I decided to go back to college and earn my degree. I completed my Associates degree and am now pursuing my Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. I believe ALL veterans should go and USE that kick ass Post 9/11 GI Bill. You owe it to yourself to better yourself and earn a better paycheck as well. You will feel like Billy Madison when you go to college after your time in service, but never mind that. Just do your best and graduate from college and make your future a good one.
The biggest thing is that when u come home... no one cares what you have done or how much you have accomplished... you start over in society. Either you stay strong and keep going and accomplish more in life, or choose to fall out and turn to drugs and depression.. it is all about mental toughness. But no matter how tough you are, we all need help and and an outlet some how.
This is the 1st TEDtalks I've seen with a veteran it helps to know what to say when seeing 1 of our soldiers I've always seem veterans & immediately offering my hand and appreciation for their service but always hoped not to upset them during the late 70's you had to be careful of who you did this with you might get a bad reaction. Thank you!
Amen, brother. I think the year time frame that you mention may be down now. I applied to school in 2012 after i got out and it took much less than a year. Maybe a month or two. But, either way, education helps. All of us should be using our GI Bill.
It took less than a month for me. However, when I switched to university from community college it took god damn nearly 4 months!! Either way I have completed my Associates degree and am pursuing my Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. I agree all of us veterans should be using the GI Bill earning our degrees and not become a statistic and either fail or not use it at all. I like college life a lot better than army life. I get a return in my investment of hard work where as in the army you had to kiss ass to go to the soldier of the month board and than again to go to the promotion board and pray that the points aren't 798. Hard work NEVER paid off in the army. I was r-eclassed from Infantry to a support mos after going back active which was a DUMB idea. Only the ass kissers got sent to the board whereas the rest of us got put on detail. College? Best move I ever did. I enjoy what II'm learning and being at the university is kick ass.
its much easier to woner the dead then care of thr living Thank you It’s 👍for you Like a women struggling with trauma I know how it’s easy to fall to depression anxiety drugs You look so smart and strong You choice was to live! In bible said “ ובחרת בחיים״ means god appreciate ppl they had all the reasons to end and still they fight to get life back As a grandchildren of Geto nazis survived I can tell you ; bravo I’m receiving now Emdr Treatment For ptsd and you have me idea to get back to class room To get back for community after 10 years I choose to be alone and flying everywhere to forget my trauma Thank you so much And I pray for the veterans American soldiers stay stron We love you from Israel You should be happy to be a citizen by the United States it’s a gift from God
Pnini Shidlovsky -thank you for sharing your story. ❤️❤️❤️I understand. I also have PTSD and anxiety as well and yes struggled with depression as well. God is good. I been in counseling for Grief and PTSD and it’s helping a lot and slowly healing. Keep hanging in there and don’t give up.
Damn. I was in college after basic and before 9-11. I went over. Did what ordered and came home. I can’t focus now. I’m too hyper vigilant about my surroundings. When I drive, when I go out to eat, even when I’m alone at home in the shower. I’m ready and thinking of being attacked and reacting. Unfortunately, my spouse has triggered my reactions. I do apologize for that and thank god I’m still married. Going back into the class room now, if difficult because of the proximity of untrained people. Most veterans don’t trigger one another. I’m starting school next week. I’ll probably fail again because I can’t actually focus on the lesson indeed of watching the people. Or I’ll bug out like beforehand. Retreat to my house and let time pass. I’m sure with training I could overcome this. Their are some things that the military just doesn’t prepare you for.
joshua thompson - Hi Joshua (my oldest cousin has your name) first of all thank you for sharing your story and serving our country. I’m Angela, I haven’t gone to war but I do have PTSD and anxiety and a learning disability called IDD so learning is very hard for me but I learn in different ways and the things Never Ever Give Up trying, and there is help out there but you have to want it and the first step is scary but it worth it. These days actually you don’t have to be in a classroom to learn you can go online and do it as well.
joshua thompson - it depended on the college. Just find a way. One of my favorite quotes from the Bible is God tell us in His word -“I can do all things through Christ who give me strength.” And Where you are weak that is where you are strong and the struggle is real and So is God. Back to my PTSD I got into counseling in 20018-2020 and I been in it since and slowly slowly healing is happening to me and studying God word and having support and going to Church. I listen on here tedtalk and a vet said once Meditation helps, you just have to find your way and there a song called Way Maker by Micheal W. Smith. Music therapy can help as well. Hang in there and there is light at the end of tunnel. Don’t Give up Trying. With IDD I have to keep trying even if I fail but I always learn something slowly. Don’t be scared to fail just don’t give up. And you may not know but God for you and He Got you and You can trust Him. I seen Him work in my own life and things I have gone through and He makes away when there is no way. It good your wife is there for you and she doesn’t mean to trigger you. She love you very much and help her to understand so she aware and try not to trigger you. Hugs to you. Don’t give up and thank you for serving.
P.s there a book 📖 by Joyce Meyer and I love ❤️ her sermon and books 📚 and three of them. One is called Healing for a Wounded Woman 👩 and the second one is called People pleasing and third one is called Battle of the Mind. I personally recommend these books 📚 to you please read them. I hope they are a blessing to you and your wife
The lack of sleep and intense stress for months will change the brain chemistry permanently. I don’t think it’s just the environment or culture shocker.
After my 10 years in active duty Army, I got hired by Academi (formerly known as Blackwater) and worked in Afghanistan as an armed security guard. Best job I ever had. However, after doing one full year I decided to go back to college and earn my degree. I completed my Associates degree and am now pursuing my Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. I believe ALL veterans should go and USE that kick ass Post 9/11 GI Bill. You owe it to yourself to better yourself and earn a better paycheck as well. You will feel like Billy Madison when you go to college after your time in service, but never mind that. Just do your best and graduate from college and make your future a good one.
BrokenArrow 86 soldier on soldier keep the chinny chin chin up
phillyphilhouse79 thank you for sharing and encouraging others.
The biggest thing is that when u come home... no one cares what you have done or how much you have accomplished... you start over in society. Either you stay strong and keep going and accomplish more in life, or choose to fall out and turn to drugs and depression.. it is all about mental toughness. But no matter how tough you are, we all need help and and an outlet some how.
thank you brother.
This is the 1st TEDtalks I've seen with a veteran it helps to know what to say when seeing 1 of our soldiers I've always seem veterans & immediately offering my hand and appreciation for their service but always hoped not to upset them during the late 70's you had to be careful of who you did this with you might get a bad reaction. Thank you!
Amen, brother. I think the year time frame that you mention may be down now. I applied to school in 2012 after i got out and it took much less than a year. Maybe a month or two. But, either way, education helps. All of us should be using our GI Bill.
All of us should have access to it.
It took less than a month for me. However, when I switched to university from community college it took god damn nearly 4 months!! Either way I have completed my Associates degree and am pursuing my Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice. I agree all of us veterans should be using the GI Bill earning our degrees and not become a statistic and either fail or not use it at all. I like college life a lot better than army life. I get a return in my investment of hard work where as in the army you had to kiss ass to go to the soldier of the month board and than again to go to the promotion board and pray that the points aren't 798. Hard work NEVER paid off in the army. I was r-eclassed from Infantry to a support mos after going back active which was a DUMB idea. Only the ass kissers got sent to the board whereas the rest of us got put on detail. College? Best move I ever did. I enjoy what II'm learning and being at the university is kick ass.
BZ. Thanks Thomas! Good drills buddy!
Props to this dude for digging himself out of the post-combat teeter-totter. Good on him. He's right.
its much easier to woner the dead then care of thr living
Thank you
It’s 👍for you
Like a women struggling with trauma I know how it’s easy to fall to depression anxiety drugs
You look so smart and strong
You choice was to live! In bible said “ ובחרת בחיים״ means god appreciate ppl they had all the reasons to end and still they fight to get life back
As a grandchildren of Geto nazis survived I can tell you ; bravo
I’m receiving now Emdr
Treatment
For ptsd and you have me idea to get back to class room
To get back for community after 10 years I choose to be alone and flying everywhere to forget my trauma
Thank you so much
And I pray for the veterans American soldiers stay stron
We love you from Israel
You should be happy to be a citizen by the United States it’s a gift from God
Pnini Shidlovsky -thank you for sharing your story. ❤️❤️❤️I understand. I also have PTSD and anxiety as well and yes struggled with depression as well. God is good. I been in counseling for Grief and PTSD and it’s helping a lot and slowly healing. Keep hanging in there and don’t give up.
Damn. I was in college after basic and before 9-11. I went over. Did what ordered and came home. I can’t focus now. I’m too hyper vigilant about my surroundings. When I drive, when I go out to eat, even when I’m alone at home in the shower. I’m ready and thinking of being attacked and reacting.
Unfortunately, my spouse has triggered my reactions. I do apologize for that and thank god I’m still married. Going back into the class room now, if difficult because of the proximity of untrained people. Most veterans don’t trigger one another.
I’m starting school next week. I’ll probably fail again because I can’t actually focus on the lesson indeed of watching the people. Or I’ll bug out like beforehand. Retreat to my house and let time pass.
I’m sure with training I could overcome this. Their are some things that the military just doesn’t prepare you for.
joshua thompson - Hi Joshua (my oldest cousin has your name) first of all thank you for sharing your story and serving our country. I’m Angela, I haven’t gone to war but I do have PTSD and anxiety and a learning disability called IDD so learning is very hard for me but I learn in different ways and the things Never Ever Give Up trying, and there is help out there but you have to want it and the first step is scary but it worth it. These days actually you don’t have to be in a classroom to learn you can go online and do it as well.
joshua thompson - it depended on the college. Just find a way. One of my favorite quotes from the Bible is God tell us in His word -“I can do all things through Christ who give me strength.” And Where you are weak that is where you are strong and the struggle is real and So is God. Back to my PTSD I got into counseling in 20018-2020 and I been in it since and slowly slowly healing is happening to me and studying God word and having support and going to Church. I listen on here tedtalk and a vet said once Meditation helps, you just have to find your way and there a song called Way Maker by Micheal W. Smith. Music therapy can help as well. Hang in there and there is light at the end of tunnel. Don’t Give up Trying. With IDD I have to keep trying even if I fail but I always learn something slowly. Don’t be scared to fail just don’t give up. And you may not know but God for you and He Got you and You can trust Him. I seen Him work in my own life and things I have gone through and He makes away when there is no way. It good your wife is there for you and she doesn’t mean to trigger you. She love you very much and help her to understand so she aware and try not to trigger you. Hugs to you. Don’t give up and thank you for serving.
P.s there a book 📖 by Joyce Meyer and I love ❤️ her sermon and books 📚 and three of them. One is called Healing for a Wounded Woman 👩 and the second one is called People pleasing and third one is called Battle of the Mind. I personally recommend these books 📚 to you please read them. I hope they are a blessing to you and your wife
Angela Aho thank you
joshua thompson your most welcome 🙏 please look up the books I told you and of course the Word of a God. Remember one more thing... Your not alone.
The lack of sleep and intense stress for months will change the brain chemistry permanently. I don’t think it’s just the environment or culture shocker.