After 7 years 11 months an 29 days, I called it quits on the Air Force. I often ponder the question whether or not I made the right decision, honestly some days I wish I was back doing the job and yet other days the joy of having a family strike’s me in the face and shake’s my very core, so deep I can feel it down to my soul most notably when my little girl speaks, the sound of her voice humbles me. It matters not; I made a decision 11 years ago to leave the life.
Truth be told leaving the military life scared me more then the night of October 19th 2001 where I was a part of a unit who parachuted onto a runway to secure a foothold into Southern Afghanistan, The night was so dark I couldn’t see the hand in front of my face as I fell from the aircraft, but that did not compare to the flood of emotions that went through my mind and body the days up too and even after I terminated service.
I would repeatedly play it over in my mind, questioning if I made the right decision, even after applying and being accepted by a security firm to do high threat protection overseas, at least I had a job and at least I was working with squared away guys almost as good as being back in the service… money was defiantly better but working with a mix bag of guys made me worried. I had somewhat of a plan, contract makes a little money and finish up my undergrad and apply and become accepted by a great company and live happily ever after.
We all know how that works out, long story short the road was much, much longer at times somewhat more difficult then I expected the civilian world gave this guy a rude wake up call, I had no one to lean on, seemingly no one that understood me or the things I went through, heck no one even talked about it.
This is why I’m so happy to be a part of GallantFew and more specifically Wings Level, this network of individuals have walked in your shoes, we have chewed much of the same dirt, I may not always understand someone’s individual situation but I can listen or if need be to try to offer resources to assist with the transition. Being a Airmen did not stop when I took off my uniform,
Thanks for taking the time to read this; if you are interested in assisting others or are in need of some assistance yourself please do not hesitate to contact us.