People ask me what I miss serving in the military. My answer, Camaraderie.

All this craziness going on in our country makes me want to go back in the Military. White, Black, Asian, Latino, male, female, Disabled, Gay/Lesbian, from big city or small town, tall, short… didn’t matter what the &$*% you were, we worked side by side and RESPECTED each other. We all had our opinions and disagreements, but RESPECT is what kept us united especially during times of combat.

I have been out of the military since 2003, and til this day I have not found the bond, work ethic, discipline, and the camaraderie I had witnessed firsthand serving in uniform. When returning to the civilian sector, you may very well find it difficult to relate or work with others, and it is not uncommon. I speak to veterans on a daily basis, and hear this on numerous occasions, and even from older veterans. Of course we are in changing times with a new President, but this isn’t the first time going through this escapade. It is beyond my belief that people still cannot respect one another’s opinion and try to find common ground.

For us veterans coming from a disciplined life in uniform, this all can really have an impact on our lives especially when it comes to being an employee or even a student. A student veteran I have spoken to just recently has been separated from the military for less than an a year. To my surprise at our last meeting, she was on her way of going back into the Navy, stopping her education short to return to where she felt comfortable. Her reason was real simple, “I cannot relate to civilians after years of military service”.