Tag: Army

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Life in the Private Sector May be Difficult After Your Time in the Military

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Military news…

US soldiers just showed Russia how a competent army performs a bridge crossing

This is exactly what we would be doing in a combat environment.”

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Inside the US military’s modern ‘island hopping’ campaign to take on China

History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.

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The Navy is firing a lot of officers and saying almost nothing about it

Since May 31, six commanding officers and one command master chief have lost their jobs.

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Why Ukraine’s wins against Russian aircraft should worry the US Air Force

“Penetrating contested airspace is only part of the challenge — and it may not even be the most important one.”

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Iran is once again playing chicken with the US Navy

Three fast inshore attack craft from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy were recently caught on video harassing the US Navy. 

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No, aircraft carriers will not be useless in a war with China

A lot would have to align before China’s military could successfully hit a carrier at sea with a ballistic missile under wartime conditions.

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2 soldiers who just wanted to go home early wound up pulling a man from a burning truck

Two classmates found themselves putting out a vehicle fire and saving the driver together on an Oklahoma highway.

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I am trying a different size of font. Let me know if you like this size better. _______________________________________________________________

I am going to share another excerpt from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.

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Are You Trying to Finish the Race With a Broken Leg?

You have spent several years of your life serving your country. You have had many months of stress, and pain. You may be still in the trenches, or you may be already out in the private sector.

As the time gets near to facing the outside world, separate from the military, are you ready? Do you have a plan? If you are already in the private sector, have you attempted to fit in, or are you hiding from others?

What I have said here doesn’t fit most of you, but there are some who are having difficult times thinking about the future. You worry about the new approach to living. You were used to the strictness, and regimented type atmosphere, and fear that this approach will not be too acceptable in your new environment. Then you are facing a world where you make all the decisions. Some of us do not do well with no one in authority over us.

In the private sector, we have to find a new normal. The first goal at this time is to release the past. The second goal is to plan for the present. The third goal is to look to the future.

Treat each new day, in the private sector, as if there was just a new fallen snow and it has provided a white blanket for you to walk on to form a path that only you take and others follow.  

After we join the private sector, we expect our lives to suddenly be happy, trouble free, and victorious. We forget that victories come only after we fight battles and win. 

There shouldn’t be this barrier between you and what you are trying to accomplish. It is tough enough to survive in this world without other factors digging into your thinking process.

Having stress about facing the new world is like having a broken leg and trying to finish a race. It can be done, but the pain, and agony is almost unbearable.

Help yourself by taking time before you leave the military to study the ways of cooperation’s. Learn how to adjust to the new status quo. Don’t go into a new situation cold turkey.

Read up on life after the military. There are books that can guide you to walk the right path to help ease you into the new world.

Go to night school and get some college credits. There are also online courses you can take no matter where you are in the world. My son was able to get two Masters Degrees while in the military, and this helped him get a very nice job when he retired.

My first few months after I got out of the military were pretty stressful because I had a family. I had to provide, and there weren’t too many jobs to be had. I had to work at jobs I didn’t really like. Some were down right degrading, like the story I told you about working on the “chain gang,” railroad crew.

But I slowly adjusted and eventually found a job in teaching that was very good for not only providing for my family, but was rewarding as well.

Take on this world with vigor, and courage. It is almost as daunting in the private sector as it is in the deserts of Afghanistan. You are a brave soldier for facing that challenge, and I am sure you will be just as brave in the private sector. You will achieve your goals and be a very productive citizen, who has a big feather in their cap. The feather of valor, and commitment, because of your time you served your country.

IWILL

Don’t think that people will look down on you for being a soldier. It may happen from time to time. I went through that when I was a teacher, and invited my son Colonial K.C. Bolton to come and speak to my class. He was honored to come, and the principal even had him speak to the school.

However, there were a couple of the teachers who were anti-war, and wasn’t happy that a soldier was coming to speak. They let me know about it, and I stood my ground. I said I was very proud of my son, and since I was a veteran as well, I felt they were also attacking me.  That quieted them down a little, and they even recanted their thinking after hearing my son share the need for bravery in each of the children’s lives. It was a wonderful talk and the children loved him.

I once said in a talk during a book signing,” Let people feel the weight of who you are, and let them deal with it.”

Think on this

Isn’t it funny how people want to be protected and yet frown on those who do the protecting?

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I would like to put in a plea to you today. I would love it if you would subscribe to my site. I work very hard to provide with the best information on what is happening in the military world. I also share excerpts from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life. This book is written for you, the veteran. It shares my own military stories, and thoughts on how to survive with PTSD, TBI, and many other things. If you will help me, I would again love if you go to the top of this page and click on subscribe. When you do all future posts will come directly to your in box, and I will be a happy man.

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Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you fighting back memories?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 15,219 Veterans on this site who have your back.

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If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up.

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+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

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There is More Concern Than the War in Ukraine. There is Iran, North Korea, China.

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My apologies for missing my Wednesday Post. I was in the hospital for blood in my stools. They found the cause and I am fine again.

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Military news…

Russia is hammering Ukraine with up to 60,000 artillery shells and rockets every day

“Instead of a concrete target, the strikes target an entire neighborhood.”

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Army Secretary on Combating Military Sexual Assault: “Every Leader at Every Level Is Focused on This”

A new study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found “reports of sexual harassment and assault in the Army continue to rise.” Soldiers reported about 1,000 sexual harassment incidents and 2,500 assaults in fiscal year 2020, according to the report.

Another Navy ship sent to Mediterranean to boost NATO in challenging Russia
USS Forrest Sherman left its homeport in Norfolk, Va., on Saturday to serve as the flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, the Navy said in a statement.

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Russian fuel and supply challenges in Ukraine cause Pentagon to consider at-sea delivery needs in potential US conflict with China

The Defense Department has taken Russia’s failures to keep its forces properly supplied as a reminder of the consequential nature of proper logistics, especially if conflict erupts between the U.S. and China in the Indo-Pacific region.

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Suspected rocket fire Sunday from North Korea, South’s military says

The suspected North Korean rocket artillery fire was detected between 8:07 a.m. and 11:03 a.m., Sunday, according to a message from the Joint.

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The battle of Donbas could prove decisive in Ukraine war

If Russia prevails in the battle of Donbas, it will mean that Ukraine loses not only land but perhaps the bulk of its most capable military forces, opening the way for Moscow to grab more territory and dictate its terms to Kyiv.

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South Korea says North completed prep for new nuclear test

South Korea’s top diplomat said Monday that North Korea has completed preparations for a new nuclear test and that only a political decision by the country’s top leadership can prevent it from going forward.

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It seems to me that things are getting pretty serious in other countries other than Ukraine. Iran is closing down all the tracking devices that they allowed the U.S. to install to follow their nuclear testing. They defy Biden, and thinks he is weak.

In North Korea, there are many ballistic missile testing going on, and they just completed a site to test nuclear testing.

China is pushing the limit on several fronts. Flying in spaces that are prohibited. Challenging the U.S. for defending Taiwan. Teaming up with Russia.

In my opinion all this is happening because we have a weak president. He doesn’t seem to want to do anything about all of this mess.

I pray for the president to wake up every day.

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Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you fighting back memories?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 15,177 Veterans on this site who have your back.

Here is what I am asking you to do…please share this site with as many other veterans as you can. It has helped so many.

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If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

_______________________________________________________________

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

Posted on

Many Veterans Coming Home From Deployment Have a Difficult Time in Civilian Life

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.

________________________________________________________________

Military news…

US, South Korea fire 8 missiles in response to North Korea’s unprecedented volley

A separate news release from U.S. Forces Korea on Monday said seven South Korean and one U.S. Army missile were fired “to demonstrate the ability of the combined [U.S.-South Korean] force to respond quickly to crisis events.”

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Lawmakers urge VA to provide more information about accessibility to its websites for individuals with disabilities

Ten lawmakers wrote a letter Monday to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough urging the agency to improve its websites to make them more accessible to people with disabilities.

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Another Russian general reported killed in action; Britain pledges rocket systems to Ukraine

Maj. Gen. Roman Kutuzov was killed in fighting in eastern Ukraine, where Russia is trying to gain control in some of the toughest battles seen in the war.

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Marine earns ‘lifesaving medal’ for rescuing overturned sailors off Okinawa
A Marine first lieutenant was decorated for helping save a man from drowning after a sailing mishap off the Okinawa shore.

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RIMPAC returning to full steam with navies from 26 nations set to join massive drills

Navies from 26 nations will participate in the massive Rim of the Pacific maritime exercise that kicks off later this month in Hawaii.

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Allied fighter formations show resolve in wake of North Korean missile tests

U.S. and South Korean fighter jets flew together Tuesday in a display of force that included four F-16 Fighting Falcons from the U.S. Air Force

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US diplomat promises ‘swift and forceful’ response to a North Korean nuclear test

North Korea would face unified action by several countries should it detonate a nuclear device in violation of existing U.N. Security Council resolutions, a U.S. official said.

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I haven’t done this for a while. I am sharing another excerpt from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.

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What Are They Thinking?

On one of my off days in Korea, I was invited to ride with a courier to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone.)

I thought that would be very interesting so I accepted the invite. We had to go through several villages, and of course the people didn’t seem to like us. They were shouting things at us I probably didn’t want to hear.

We got to the DMZ. What a depressing place! It was a very small outpost with guards watching the North Koreans on the other side of the DMZ. They let me look through one of their binoculars, and I could see a North Korean soldier looking through his binoculars back at me. It was a very odd feeling. He was just another guy like me, but he would probably shoot me if he could.

There is still strife between the two countries. There is still the DMZ zone. There are soldiers still looking at each other with binoculars. Nothing much has changed, except the lives of those who had to serve in Korea.

They came home and then they had to try to cope in the private sector. They had/have to adjust, and survive. I feel for them, because I was there with them. I know the frustrations. I know the disappointment. I know the feeling that no one cares.

I can say that it is hard to block out the negative aspects of our military service. It is hard to change thoughts into a different world in the private sector. It took me a while to clear my mind and concentrate on the future. I had to realize that I needed to move on and start a new adventure. I needed to think about the next day of my life.

I never have regretted serving my country. I would do it again if I was able. I have learned that I just need to be thankful that I have another day on this earth, and should seek what I can do to better my live and those around me that I love. 

IWILL

Some of the soldiers, in the private sector, have some issues still lingering with them from their time in in the service. I understand this. I have had to re-group myself. The key is to do something about it. Don’t hide your feelings. Get the right help to get you back on track in life. There are many resources in the back of this book to help you on your way down your new path of life.

There is always help for you 24/7 at: 1-800-273-8255

Think about this

Isn’t it funny that so much of what we fear is only the fear of the unknown?

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Come back often to see more excerpts. Better yet.. go to the top of this page and click on subscribe. When you do all future posts will come directly to your inbox.

_______________________________________________________________

Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you fighting back memories?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 15,0050 Veterans on this site who have your back.

Here is what I am asking you to do…please share this site with as many other veterans as you can. It has helped so many.

______________________________________________________________

If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

______________________________________________________________

Checking in on you. How are you doing? Is everything going OK, or are you fighting back memories?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 15,0050 Veterans on this site who have your back.

Here is what I am asking you to do…please share this site with as many other veterans as you can. It has helped so many.

______________________________________________________________

If you are battling mentally, but you are losing, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will not hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255…texting 838255.

_______________________________________________________________

+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.