Posted: 7/2/2011 3:45:38 AM EDT
| I got back from an undisclosed location somewhere in the AOR late last year. We got hit with mortars, rockets, and SAFIRE several times a day. Now this is my first 4th of july since coming home. Where I work is doing a fireworks show right now. I can't watch it. I want to, but I freak out and jump evertime one booms. I'm actually jumping a little right now, even though I'm hiding in an office. Anyone else have this problem? How'd you get over it? |
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I got back from an undisclosed location somewhere in the AOR late last year. We got hit with mortars, rockets, and SAFIRE several times a day. Now this is my first 4th of july since coming home. Where I work is doing a fireworks show right now. I can't watch it. I want to, but I freak out and jump evertime one booms. I'm actually jumping a little right now, even though I'm hiding in an office. Anyone else have this problem? How'd you get over it? Over time, you'll adjust. Anticipating the sounds helps quite a bit, but unexpected bangs, booms and explosions will still cause me to get a bit jumpy and get the heart rate up –– even after more than 40 years. Hang in there Bro, you're still adjusting. Slow, controlled exposure to fireworks/gunfire might help (when possible) –– find your comfort level, but don't push it. |
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Quoted: Quoted: I got back from an undisclosed location somewhere in the AOR late last year. We got hit with mortars, rockets, and SAFIRE several times a day. Now this is my first 4th of july since coming home. Where I work is doing a fireworks show right now. I can't watch it. I want to, but I freak out and jump evertime one booms. I'm actually jumping a little right now, even though I'm hiding in an office. Anyone else have this problem? How'd you get over it? Over time, you'll adjust. Anticipating the sounds helps quite a bit, but unexpected bangs, booms and explosions will still cause me to get a bit jumpy and get the heart rate up –– even after more than 40 years. Hang in there Bro, you're still adjusting. Slow, controlled exposure to fireworks/gunfire might help (when possible) –– find your comfort level, but don't push it. Yup, it gets better with time but it never totally goes away. |
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our gunfire threat was more celebratory gunfire In 2006 I was at the CMOC in Fallujah picking up a truck that got hit by an IED, unbeknownst to us the Iraqi Soccer Team just won some game. The fucking IPs opened up with everything they owned about a block away, I hated that shit. |
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For some reason gunfire doesn't bother me. Maybe its because our gunfire threat was more celebratory gunfire. Mortars, well, they meant that shit! Know what you mean. Not a whole lot of noisy celebrating goin' on when I was in the shit. If somebody was shootin', it was for real. It was definitely better to give than to receive. I live out in the country, gunfire is very common and usually doesn't cause me much concern. The neighbor kids usually get some pretty potent fireworks for the fourth and will randomly (and without warning) detonate some sort of ground burst that easily rivals an artillery simulator –– those will get my attention, and prompt me to take a deep breath, remind myself where I am, and pour another bourbon & water. |
| Finally over the whole jumping and getting pissed thing, also for the last year have been better in crowds and with people I don't know. Going back over in about a month, hopefully this time does not fuck w/ me so much.. Different mission, hopefully different outcome. |
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Finally over the whole jumping and getting pissed thing, also for the last year have been better in crowds and with people I don't know. Going back over in about a month, hopefully this time does not fuck w/ me so much.. Different mission, hopefully different outcome. Stay safe!!!! I still don't particularly care for crowds. ETA: I'm grumpy and old –– so I still get pissed. 
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Finally over the whole jumping and getting pissed thing, also for the last year have been better in crowds and with people I don't know. Going back over in about a month, hopefully this time does not fuck w/ me so much.. Different mission, hopefully different outcome. Stay safe! I've always hated crowds, so hate away! |
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It's ok, you can say the word afghanistan without giving away state secrets. And yeah, it gets better with time but never goes away. I set off fireworks, awesome fun, my neighbors do it, holy shit! Not there unfortunately, just a different mission. In "Kuwait" this time... Nice long drives. |
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I still catch myself checking the roofs of buildings and scan the windows.... Even in the middle of fucking Munich, Germany. Bangs and booms made me jump, not anymore, but my heart rate still goes up. I live out in the country, surrounded by woods. Mrs. Grumpy has found me scanning the tree lines more than once. Those hot, humid days when the foliage takes on a strange, green "glow" can take me back in time. How's Munich these days? Haven't been in that area in many years. When my cousin wasn't in I or A, he was in Stuttgart. Back in CONUS now. Stay safe! |
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I still catch myself checking the roofs of buildings and scan the windows.... Even in the middle of fucking Munich, Germany. Bangs and booms made me jump, not anymore, but my heart rate still goes up. I live out in the country, surrounded by woods. Mrs. Grumpy has found me scanning the tree lines more than once. Those hot, humid days when the foliage takes on a strange, green "glow" can take me back in time. How's Munich these days? Haven't been in that area in many years. When my cousin wasn't in I or A, he was in Stuttgart. Back in CONUS now. Stay safe! I know what you're saying... Ah, Munich is cool, the beer, the girls (my HH6 is from here), the mountains. It could be alot worse, as in I or A or the middle of fucking Kansas... haha USAG Stuttgart is growing, they're moving alot of EUCOM shit down from Heidelberg, plus it's home to AFRICOM now and of course SOCEUR. You stay safe too! |
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I still catch myself checking the roofs of buildings and scan the windows.... Even in the middle of fucking Munich, Germany. Bangs and booms made me jump, not anymore, but my heart rate still goes up. I live out in the country, surrounded by woods. Mrs. Grumpy has found me scanning the tree lines more than once. Those hot, humid days when the foliage takes on a strange, green "glow" can take me back in time. How's Munich these days? Haven't been in that area in many years. When my cousin wasn't in I or A, he was in Stuttgart. Back in CONUS now. Stay safe! I know what you're saying... Ah, Munich is cool, the beer, the girls (my HH6 is from here), the mountains. It could be alot worse, as in I or A or the middle of fucking Kansas... haha USAG Stuttgart is growing, they're moving alot of EUCOM shit down from Heidelberg, plus it's home to AFRICOM now and of course SOCEUR. You stay safe too! Always liked Munich –– lots of history. My dad passed through there at the end of WW2. Cousin would have been in Stuttgart under the umbrella of SOCEUR. I remember the pic you posted of a couple knives and distinctive headgear a week or two back, so I suspect you're familiar with the command.
Didn't mean to hijack the thread. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Finally over the whole jumping and getting pissed thing, also for the last year have been better in crowds and with people I don't know. Going back over in about a month, hopefully this time does not fuck w/ me so much.. Different mission, hopefully different outcome. Stay safe! I've always hated crowds, so hate away! That just comes with age.. But put away the shotgun no one is on your lawn 
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Nearly broke my wife's (then girlfriend) hand - while holding it - 4th of July 1991, home from the first Gulf War. Have had this 'jumpyness' reinforced after a few tours to Somalia and a couple tours to Iraq.
It does ease a bit with time. Actually witnessing the fireworks being shot up into the air prior to the resulting explosion and display helps a bit, and I'm at a point where I can enjoy them with my family (particularly with my grandson, who is autistic). Its the unexpected pops and explosions (the kids setting off firecrackers a couple houses down at some random time, or the balloon that pops behind you at a local suprmarket) which makes me flinch and get goose-bumps. Give yourself time, and at some point consider VA counselling (which I've been working on). Forums such as this are also a good way to help release thoughts and /or concerns for Vets. Thank you for your service (each of you), and stay safe! A retired 1SG |
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I remember the pic you posted of a couple knives and distinctive headgear a week or two back, so I suspect you're familiar with the command.
. Very good memory Sir.... If you should make it back to Munich one you are always welcome at my safehouse.
[/hijack] |
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I remember the pic you posted of a couple knives and distinctive headgear a week or two back, so I suspect you're familiar with the command.
. Very good memory Sir.... If you should make it back to Munich one you are always welcome at my safehouse.
[/hijack] And a short-term memory event at that! I appreciate the "safehouse" offer. Grumpy-Old-Woman would love to head to Europe, probably won't happen though. Back to the knife thread, I posted a pic as well. 
<obligatory hijack apology> |
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Nearly broke my wife's (then girlfriend) hand - while holding it - 4th of July 1991, home from the first Gulf War. Have had this 'jumpyness' reinforced after a few tours to Somalia and a couple tours to Iraq. It does ease a bit with time. Actually witnessing the fireworks being shot up into the air prior to the resulting explosion and display helps a bit, and I'm at a point where I can enjoy them with my family (particularly with my grandson, who is autistic). Its the unexpected pops and explosions (the kids setting off firecrackers a couple houses down at some random time, or the balloon that pops behind you at a local suprmarket) which makes me flinch and get goose-bumps. Give yourself time, and at some point consider VA counselling (which I've been working on). Forums such as this are also a good way to help release thoughts and /or concerns for Vets. Thank you for your service (each of you), and stay safe! A retired 1SG And thanks to you too TOP! |