This is a poem I wrote expressing most of the feelings I felt as a military veteran. It does not touch on the more dire aspects of “the life,” such as PTSD (I wrote an article about this) or suicide (I plan to write an article on this). But it does reveal the mundane but significant challenges we face once we conclude our service. I acknowledge that every servicemember’s experience is different. Some prepared enough so that their transition seemed seamless. Others, whether intentional or not, felt it necessary not to prepare and paid the price for it. Full disclosure, I was on the latter end of that decision tree. However, while I will take responsibility for my inaction, I also have critiques on the Transition Assistance Program or TAP (another topic that I plan to write about in the future).
This is my post military life.
There are many like it, but this one is mine.
For example, I am not a Marine but,
I understand the meaning of always faithful,
as well as mastery of one’s life and enemies.
This is my post military life.
I would have liked to have had this later.
But, due to circumstances beyond my capacity,
Physical, mental and spiritual,
it had to be now.
This is my post military life.
The first month was heaven.
The next two took me to limbo.
And currently, it feels like Purgatory.
Other people call it Unemployment.
This is my post military life.
I traded security for freedom.
Swapped paychecks for pensions.
Bartered bustle for tedium.
But what did I switch for what?
This is my post military life.
Unable to sell my past.
Uncertain of my future.
Unsettled about the present.
Undaunted nonetheless.
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