Brothers in Arms

[PitMaster]

For the Men who have had to kill in order to defend our country, themselves and each other. Do u ever talk about your experiences with civilians? Or just with other service members, who may be able to relate better to the things u have had to do.

I suppose some don't speak about it, for fear of what others may think. I was wondering about this.

My old man was a service man. Never talked about his experiences, like it never happened. Maybe I was too young to ask intelligent questions. Just the same he never talked about any of it.

I've always wanted to approach an old vet and here his story. I have shook some of their hands but left it at that. Seems like it's not something that u should bring up to someone who has endeared such hardships and overwhelming odds. I think they deserve to be heard, just don't know if it's something that should be approached or how to go about it.
I have the highest respects for all service members, I guess it would be nice for them to hear that people do care about the things they have been through...I think alot of vets carry so much pain and it would be nice to be reassured that things that they have done are forgivable...

These men need closure for a lifetime of pain.

[wmaousley]

NO, We don't talk about it period, especially with civilians. We try to forget it, but its the first thing we think about when we wake up, and the last thing we think about before we sleep. It never goes away. Its now apart of us physically, mentally, spiritually.

[PitMaster]

NO, We don't talk about it period, especially with civilians. We try to forget it, but its the first thing we think about when we wake up, and the last thing we think about before we sleep. It never goes away. Its now apart of us physically, mentally, spiritually.

It's far too much load to carry, I hope someday you will have peace of mind and are able to find moments of beauty that can leave a lasting a better memory for u.

[PitMaster]

I remember two specific points in my life with some armed forces members.

The first was when I was in the clink and I met a vietnam vet. I still remember his name...it was Bruce. Long black hair, hard as nails, wasn't a big guy, but he was intimidating...had that look, can't explain it. We got close after he knew I was born there, this was 72. Must of brought back some memories for him. He would wake up at night screaming, covered in sweat , soiling his pants out of having serious nightmares he would tell me. I have lost touch with him, I don't imagine he has gotten better. I miss him...

Another story, these men I did not know, I just observed.
The movie We Were Soldiers hit the theatre. I went and saw it. I was sitting towards the middle. I saw 4 men well into their 60's , the gray hair gave them away, They were vets,all dressed in uniform with their wifes. They sat to the front left of the theatre. After the movie passed and the credits rolled the audience stayed silent. Soon people were leaving, I sat there and observed them, they had not moved or spoken or even flinched. I left shortly after a moment maybe to make it more comfortable for them to gather themselves and have some privacy. These men were effected so much by war and had survived to live out their days with their memories. I will never forget that moment..I can't even remember how long ago it was, but it was like yesterday seeing them there. Breaks my heart,,,truly.

[crazy_rocks]

some people talk about it, some dont. everyone handles it different. person A might have less experiences than person B but person A might hate talking about it while person B might be ok with talking.

some dont because they dont wanna think about it. some dont because its like a broken record. i would say more often we just dont talk about it with civilians usually because it leads to a lot of questions which can be annoying. other military guys understand it more easily. i told my friends at home because IT DOES NOT BOTHER ME and i want them to know that there is a thing called the otherside of the world and i know my friends really well.

one guy in my unit was in the battle of anaconda. he told me all about it. he even had a helmet cam on. he copied the footage before turning it into the s shop

believe it or not there are certain douchebags that say they dont wanna talk about it because it "drama queens" the situation to make it look like they've been through something but i think this is kinda rare.

[l2elapse]

I would love to hear some stories...there has to be some people on here willing to share

[songdog]

I met a old Marine from WW2.I stop by when I see him outside.He has some real good stories.

[wmaousley]

some people talk about it, some dont. everyone handles it different. person A might have less experiences than person B but person A might hate talking about it while person B might be ok with talking.

some dont because they dont wanna think about it. some dont because its like a broken record. i would say more often we just dont talk about it with civilians usually because it leads to a lot of questions which can be annoying. other military guys understand it more easily. i told my friends at home because IT DOES NOT BOTHER ME and i want them to know that there is a thing called the otherside of the world and i know my friends really well.

one guy in my unit was in the battle of anaconda. he told me all about it. he even had a helmet cam on. he copied the footage before turning it into the s shop

believe it or not there are certain douchebags that say they dont wanna talk about it because it "drama queens" the situation to make it look like they've been through something but i think this is kinda rare.

I am not sure this statement holds merit. Usually 10 times out of 10 the ones telling gore stories about there experience in combat were fobbits and had no experience outside the wire. I will only talk about certain events with those who were with me at that time who had the same experiences as me. I remember the Hawaii NG used to tell battle stories @ Camp Victory they were involved in but these guys were gate guards who never left the base. I have even had guys show me a video I made of my 1114 being hit by an IED and telling me it was there unit that was hit. WTF

Guys only about 10-15% of those deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan actually leave the base for Patrols, convoy escorts etc. the rest are bullshit support units that play on the internet all day.

[PitMaster]

That is sad and shameful, takes away credit from deserving men..Not good.

No honor in that and pride and honor is what they should be representing. They will have to live it.

[crazy_rocks]

I am not sure this statement holds merit. Usually 10 times out of 10 the ones telling gore stories about there experience in combat were fobbits and had no experience outside the wire. I will only talk about certain events with those who were with me at that time who had the same experiences as me. I remember the Hawaii NG used to tell battle stories @ Camp Victory they were involved in but these guys were gate guards who never left the base. I have even had guys show me a video I made of my 1114 being hit by an IED and telling me it was there unit that was hit. WTF

Guys only about 10-15% of those deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan actually leave the base for Patrols, convoy escorts etc. the rest are bullshit support units that play on the internet all day.

not sure what i said holds merit? and you decide for everyone that nobody talks about it period like you stated in your first post? wrong. there is absolutely nothing i posted that is hard to believe about people wanting or not wanting to talk about it. the fact is there are people who talk about it. by drawing the comparison that fobbits talk about stuff that they have not been through or exaggerate does not mean that there are no legit soldiers who choose to talk. ive met plenty of non combat pogs that were able to hold serious things down while out on mission. some of these dudes will surprise you. to bad i cant say that for all of them though.

just because someone is willing to talk about it, it does not mean they are telling gore stories. and yes they are dudes exaggerating what they or there unit has been through. but if a vet has actual friends that he is close to and he feels comfortable with his experiences then it is understandable that he may talk about it. that cannot really be argued with.

yes only a certain percentage of guys have been involved in real missions or leaving the base. with my last sentence that you put in bold, i was not trying to suggest that you were one of these douchebags. make no mistake, although very few they do exist.

[crazy_rocks]

That is sad and shameful, takes away credit from deserving men..Not good.

No honor in that and pride and honor is what they should be representing. They will have to live it.

not to worry about. although they may seem dorky we need the support people in place. theres a lot that goes into that place aside from door kicking.

no offense if your out there reading this but im just happy i wasnt one of those support fellas.