[HunterG23]

I had plans to pick up my nephew Saturday, He has served 2 tours in Iraq, and one in Afghanistan, where he was seriously messed up when his team ran over an IED. His job in the army was to assist spec op's in taking out high value targets. The plan was, pick him up and go to Knob Creek range to teach me some advanced tactics relating to pistol and shot gun. However, my job requires me to work certain saturday's. My manager typo'd my weekend list he gave me early in the year so instead of having the 14th off, and working the 21, yeah I had to work 14th. Will pick him up next weekend and spend a lot of time at the range with him though. It's gonna be awesome learning from him, how rare is it for a civilian to have access to such a trove of knowledge?

[threefeathers]

My advice having been at both ends of this type of event.
Don't ask him a bunch of questions about his time in the service. IF he wants to talk he will, but don't expect it.
Treat him like you used to, as questions about technique and the firearm itself. Let him blast away if he wants. THat is a way me and my buddies still use to 'come down'.
If he cries, just go on, step back, if you are not a Vet tell him welcome home. If you are a vet say, 'we're all here brother'.

[GLOCK17DB9]

Good luck to you both and have fun. Tell him thanks for serving this great country of ours!

[ijacek]

Originally Posted by threefeathers

Don't ask him a bunch of questions about his time in the service. IF he wants to talk he will, but don't expect it.

If he cries, just go on, step back, if you are not a Vet tell him welcome home. If you are a vet say, 'we're all here brother'.

I have not been in the service myself, but have worked with vets in my prior LE department. I agree with above. If he opens up and tells you stuff, listen and take it in, and I guarantee you will hear more than you want to.

As for the second part of above quote... make sure you buy him a beer or two!

[HunterG23]

I am a vet, us navy during the first gulf war. I have had my nephew over for over a year now on weekends. He is getting the treatment he needs and all surgeries too. This guy has a great heart, and I never ask him any questions. He talks about a lot of stuff and I just listen to him. Thanks for your input, I found it very helpful.

[ScottieG59]

Most soldiers seem to deal with experiences well. For me, some things just cannot be shared and it is no big deal. It is not a burden to keep things to myself. For most soldiers, they will be more open. While in theater, I focused on my job and situational awareness.

For a bit, it was strange sitting near to glass windows, walking on grass, not being weighed down with gear and not swearing as much. Though it has been many years, I am still very watchful when out in the open.

Still, the thing that weighed on me the most was that relatives passed away when I was gone, I went through two divorces when the ex-wives got used to me being away, and my first son grew up when I was away. I still have dreams about that.

In my unit, some mission related events may not be discussed openly. In some cases, there is a released story and a "what really happened" story. It is really no different from other businesses where there is a press release and an internal proprietary release.

Depending on the type of unit and experience, some soldiers will take time to lose that edge, such as hitting the ground when you take a flash photo or something falls loudly on the floor.

Some soldiers use colorful dehumanizing language when they discuss the local people in theater. I did it some myself and I embrace multicultural experiences. You may be shocked and think he has become a kkk member.

Anyway, these young soldiers have been asked to engage in the two longest wars in American history. Sometimes, people forget that. It is over 2 times longer than World War 2. Part of what these soldiers will face is uncharted in our history. Many will be booted out as the downsizing starts. Many will feel the nation used them up and showed them the door. Others will deal with the changes very well.

Just welcome our soldiers home and get back to the being a family. For many, that is all they really need.

[HunterG23]

Wow, Scottie, thank you for sharing that. You are in my prayers sir. Thank you for your service and I pray that God will put a balm on your mind to ease the memories. My nephew is very lucky, in July he will get nearly full medical retirement. He is enrolled in a college in California, where he is from. I am very excited to have been in his life this last year to be of support for him. To give him home cooked meals, he bonded with my 14 year old and they are like brothers now. We did get to knob creek gun range last weekend, and we had a blast. He rented a ar-15 and my son had a hoot shooting it, as did I. Good luck sir.

[Irelander]

God bless all our nation's vets! In theater and as they assimilate back into civilian life. Thanks for sharing guys.