employers... my new conspiracy theory.

[ReconSGT_OIF]

Okay, this may not be exactly on the line with PTSD, but thought I would post it here. Through my search for employment since my release of active duty, I have not been hired... Since july 2004. Does it seem too far off base to think that the people conducting the interviews- MIDDLE MANAGEMENT- dont want a fresh, young, combat-hardened sergeant to work under them? Could someone with MY skills expose their slacking off? Or are they afraid I will learn the ropes and still have my values and integrity and hold people to it? Makes sense to me. What are your thoughts?:bandit:

[Shawn Powell]

OIF,

If you're talking strictly civilian employment-- and middle management to boot-- I would give you a resounding ROGER.

You interested in college? What makes your "bunnies jump" so to speak? If you have the opportunity or if it's practical (I know you're a family man), find something where you can be around like-minded guys.

What do you think?

Shawn.

[snowyowl]

OIF Roger That!

[Pointman69]

ReconSGT - I wonder if the GI bill would cover a trade school? There's not much demand for a combat hardened young man used to giving life and death orders and expecting them to be followed immediately and without question. That was entirely appropriate and necessary in combat, but it's pretty intimidating stuff back home.

There could be some connection to PTSD. Under stress (such as an interview) you could be falling back to those skills you learned while under the stress of combat. Taking charge, wielding authority and seeing others as not knowing what to do unless you tell them might put some interviewers off.

You had to be right, lives depended on it. Challenges to your authority were not acceptable and you had to power up (get the adrenaline going) to win any conflict. That's what you had to do in combat.

No one suggested that the person in charge should develop other skills to cope with conflicts or stress. What would happen in combat if you were to take the time to really listen to others, try to empathise with were they're coming from, determine what their needs are in the situation, and work toward a win/win solution? That would be rediculous, but here in the World, these skills can go a long ways toward successful relationships with family or in jobs.

If you are falling back to your survival skills, you're perfectly normal. We have to learn new skills to succeed back home. You're young and I know you can do it. It's not an attack on your ego to admit those things you did well in combat, for the most part don't work well outside of that extreme life and death struggle.

Think about it - I could be completely off base; if so, chuck these thoughts.

[ReconSGT_OIF]

Well, the VA is going thru the 'motions' of trying to start me on voc-rehab. I actually had a job interview with a temp agency today and they offered me a warehouse job starting tomorrow. I had to take a drug test and Im awaiting the final phone call here in a few minutes.

[Stickthrower]

Recon,

I agree whole heartedly with you and Pointman69! We can definately be falling back on survival instincts when interviewing or dealing with people in general. I know I have in the past and probably still do without realizing it. And after reading Pointmans' view of being under stress of interview reverting to authoritarian personality I realize that I have done that continually for years. No wonder I pis_ed off some people!

We learn something new about ourselves each day when we give God and our brothers here a chance to help us take back our lives from Satan!

Good Luck with your new job. Hey, temporary or not, it is a start. My prayers are with you.

On Friday I have to go back to the Department Shrink for a "Fitness For Duty Evaluation" to see if I retain my employment or not with the County for any job.

[charlie wardog]

Check out the Social Sec Office in your town. They have just hired over 400 in our 5 state area (Ohio). They may be done but I was one of the guys they hired last month. They wanted a Vet and I got priority over any one else because I am a Vet. Check it out. If your experience backs it up you may benefit by checking it out.

[ReconSGT_OIF]

Well thanks to prayers and God's mercy, I am leaving for my first day at my first Post-Army job! WOO-HOO!! Its a warehouse that does shipping/recieving of bicycle parts and accessories so I hear. Yeah, its temporary, but all I gotta do is survive until school starts, right? Everyone have a blessed week!:superhapp

[Stickthrower]

GREAT NEWS BROTHER!!!!

You and your family are in my prayers. God wants to help us, we just have to let go and let him work.

[Pointman69]

Congradulations on the job opportunity. I pray for peace that passes understanding, hope because He is in control, and strength in Christ, you can do all things in Him. Stickthrower - I pray the same for you and for God to do His work in the heart of your department shrink.

[ajusmc]

Well thanks to prayers and God's mercy, I am leaving for my first day at my first Post-Army job! WOO-HOO!! Its a warehouse that does shipping/recieving of bicycle parts and accessories so I hear. Yeah, its temporary, but all I gotta do is survive until school starts, right? Everyone have a blessed week!:superhapp
OUTSTANDING NEWS

[Shawn Powell]

As the young punks... I mean people... as the young people say, "That's dope-whack for shizzle, OIF."

Dope-whack for shizzle, indeed.

Shawn.

[snowyowl]

Bros I need prayer for two job openings one is for a LEO administrative support role and the other is transporting patients to appointments. I'm hoping for the former to be the one though.
Psalms 113-118 are inspiring to read, give it a shot.

[Shawn Powell]

Prayers are being said... that's fantastic, bro. Keep the SITREPS coming.

Shawn.

[Don Dodson]

OIF:

Great news! Never underestimate the potential lessons from any job. My first job out of the Army was as a part-time custodian at the church I grew up in. Nobody knew about PTSD back then (1971) but I got to spend more time one-on-one with the Pastor than I would otherwise have done. Warehousing today, inventory control tomorrow! There is a purpose behind everything, if we let God do the steering.

You've gotten some good ideas in previous posts. If you start feeling like you need to take command because everyone around you has a cranial-rectal inversion, try to take a deep breath before you say anything. It might be helpful to have a pocket sized note pad and when your brain goes to "red alert" (Does the modern army still have "red alerts"??) you can jot down a couple of notes like time and what set you off. That way you can jog your brain later and figure out what triggered your over reaction. It's called recording your "trigger" events. It might help you see the pattern. Remember, nothing happening to us "here and now" is as bad as "then and there!"

You and Snowyowl are in our prayers for successful employment. Remember, your worth in God's Kingdom has nothing to do with your job title.

WELCOME HOME!

Don "Oboeman" Dodson

[ReconSGT_OIF]

SITREP---SITREP

Well here it is, day 3 is over and I love the job. Its so fast paced that its 5pm before you know it. The guys there are all at least 5 years my junior and mostly fresh out of High School. The guy I actually work 'FOR' is 23 and actually lives 4 houses down from me... something else? We go to the same church. He was one of the 'little kids' in the youth group when I stopped being a youth sponsor and joined the army. The interviewer from the personnel svc came by the workplace yesterday and thanked me and the other guy from there for not running the company's name into the ground... APparantly this place has gone thru 6 temps in the last month for one reason or another.:bandit:

[snowyowl]

Recon thanks for the good report and keep looking up to our Heavenly Father.

[Pointman69]

Thank you Lord for your faithfullness. Keep the blessings coming.

[Stickthrower]

Great news OIF & here's hoping that Snowyowl has good news forthcoming!!!

Say a prayer or two for me as on Friday (3/25/05) I went for my "Fitness For Duty" eval with the dept shrink to return to duty. Now it's a sit and wait routine. And right now all I can think of is what if they say no! It sure is hard sometimes to place all your faith in the Lord, but that is where my faith is sitting. If I don't get to go back to work then I guess I'm out job hunting as the Lord has something else planned!

[Pointman69]

Frank - He sees what's happening tomorrow and everyday after that. He wants the absolute best for you and is more than capable to bring it into existance. God bless.

[Stickthrower]

Thanks Pointman69!

I have faith in our Lord, but it is sure hard to just sit by and wait. But that is Satan talking-telling me the big lie about me taking back control of my life myself and it will be alright! Like I was ever in control before giving control to the Lord. I have never been noted for patience-just full speed ahead is more my speed. Today has been a rough "PTSD" day for me. But, I just open my Bible and find some piece of mind.

Thanks for all the prayers and patience you have all shown for me.

[charlie wardog]

PRAISE!
Thank you all for your honesty. I worked in sales for since '94. I got out in '93. It has been a struggle but we have always been taken care of.

This is DEEP so beware! I want you all to know the power of God! Many of you already know but for those who are not sure if they can trust God read on...

...for 13 years I dealt with an addiction that many churches will not discuss. My addiction was/is /porn. My Army life did not help. You all know what it is like around an Army post. Bars, Pawn Shops and Strip Clubs. I discovered a few years ago that I was not the only one with this problem. Finally, in June of 2000 I accepted Christ. It was an experience that I had always heard of but did not think could happen to me. I was prepared to give up life and Christ would not let me go. I prayed and when I got to the Promise Keepers Conference in Pittsburgh The Holy Spirit flowed through my body like a flowing river. I cried and praised God on my knees. From that moment on the journey has been bumpy but bearable. My wonderful wife has dealt with my anger outbursts, job hopping (20 or so in 12 years) and depression. For 4 1/2 years things were going great. Unforntunately about 9 months ago I began to feel as though I was in control. A few months later I found myself in a position to have an affair. I did not and I told my wife everything. SHe was obviously very mad and disgusted but God has blessed me with an awesome women.

The moral of my story is to stay focused on GOD! HE is the one and only one that can keep us on the straight and narrow. No matter how much we try WE can not live a life free from sin without God's help. Our jobs, families and worship should be focused on God's will not ours. It took me a long time to figure that out. I hope this helps someone. I guess it may be me it helps. thanks for listening!

My wife and I are working through it and now make it a point to communicate about everything. I always tell her "If I was her and married me I would have left me a long time ago."

I was recently blessed with a Federal Position that gives us benefits, steady pay and a future.

Matt

If you deal with this issue I can recommend a few things.

www.purelifeministries.org (http://www.purelifeministries.org)
Book: At the Altar of ual Idolatry, Steve Gallagher

[snowyowl]

CW that's a testimony.
Well one application is in and maybe 2-3 months before I hear about LEO support position. Now I can work on the other one.

[Don Dodson]

Matt: Thank you for your testimony! You are not alone, brother. So right you are, God knows what He has planned for us, and through Christ has adopted us into His family. Learning to be part of this New Creature is not easy, but as you say staying focused and centered on God allows us to shed the old sinful nature and grow into our New Christ-like nature.

Continuing to pray for Stickthrower and Snowyowl's job situations, and Recon's patience.

WELCOME HOME!

Don Dodson

[Pointman69]

Matt - thanks for your honesty. I can see God's fingerprints all over you and it encourages me. God loves and is blessing each of us, even while we are struggling with the death in our flesh. I feel we are a brotherhood, wounded but walking together, supporting one another 'til we gather before Him who is setting us free.

May God bring more wounded and dying to join with us.