Well... the Air Force in its infinate wisdom has determined that yours truly is no longer mentally fit to serve in the military. Yup... Medical Discharge. So... with any luck I should be back in the states by mid January. And oddly enough, I'm taking this a lot better than I thought I would. I fully plan on taking advantage of any and all Veterans benefits I have earned in my 10+ years of service. Yeah, going back to school at 31. Freaky, but I can do it.

This all came about due to a severe breakdown at work due to my PTSD. Anyway, I'll fill y'all in more as I get the details.

~Ranger

Hey Ranger, I had heard wind of this so all I can say is best of luck to the both of you. I know you've taken some flack in the past for your chosen profession, but we still all appreciate your service and hard work. I'm sure good things will come of this, not the least of which will be getting reunited with your beautiful wife and enjoying the birth of your new baby boy! Topless and I wish you both the best of luck.

Hey Ranger

Sometimes those things happen. Only you could decide what you wanted to do, but even though you were medically discharged, it still doesn't erase the fact of the service you gave to all of us. It's people like you who deserve the credit of unselfishness to give us what we have. You did what you believed was right. To me it's what you've done not why you were discharged. Best of luck to ya.

Ranger
Our son is a chef in the UK army, so we both of understand the stress and pressures you can go through. He was over in Kuwait for months without any contact with his family when the whoel Iraq situation blew up. Looks like he will be going of to 'play in the sand' again some time next year but rather nearer the action.

I would love there to be a world where we did not have to send men and women into battle - we don't have that right now!

Our son also had a breakdown at one point and got very little help from the military. 'Take these pills and don't bother us!'

On one level I do not know you at all, at another - being old enough to be your parents - Grump and I are just holding you in love.

Ranger, we are truely sorry to hear your news, but we hope this is offers some reassurance.

Okay, I'll come clean, I have been 'mentally' unwell recently too, since having our little one. I think anything like this is difficult to come to terms with due to the stigma's which get attached to mental illness. Work in particular have been bloody awful! (Don't get me started ).

The truth is that it is just the same as any other illness, you have to treat it, come to terms with it and get the support you need to get through it. And accept that these things happen and try to see the positive that will come out of it.

J and I have been forced to go through a terrible time, but it has also made us stop and re~evaluate our relationship. We are now closer, have better understanding of each other and love each other more than we ever have in the past 10 years. Also I guess we would never have found F&E if I had not been ill!

It sounds silly but you must make sure that you do accept it and that it is okay. And you must think positively, honestly everything has it's positive side ~ wait and see. Good luck for whatever comes next.

G x

Hey Ranger, can we get a medical discharge for our Commander-in-Chief? Sweetie, those of us who have been on this board for any length of time love and respect you, and Frog too! We all look forward to your being home with your family, real and extended. Just think, you've accomplished what Corp. Klinger spent a career trying unsuccessfully to do. Were women's clothes involved?

Hey Ranger, much love to you, Ang and the kiddos. I know you must have been going through a rough time, so I have tried to just let you know my thoughts were with you now and then. I'm glad we had the chance to hang out when we did. It was a lot of fun, made some good memories and great pictures. Everyone here in Bucheon still asks after you and we're all pulling for you. We wish you love and happiness in your future and for the Holiday Season. Take care, get some rest, and keep in touch! Hugs darling!

not sure wether to offer a woohoo you're coming home or to a Oh my goodness thats not how it was supposed to play out. I know you love what you are doing but at the same token hate being away from the family.
This could be the blessing in disguise we've all been waiting for (I know not a nice disguise). On the plus side though this happened at work so they will offer you resources to help and I know PTSD doesn't fully go away but they can help you learn to manage it.
Good luck with assimilating back into civilian life the forces world is just a little different (I miss it somedays) and I wish you guys all the best.
Take care guys
Tigz
XXXX

Just for the sake of having posted it,

I LOVE MY HUSBAND.

This isn't how we planned for our life to go, and we're being forced into a less than ideal situation awfully soon, but there are silver linings on clouds and we'll work our way through it. Together.

The great news is we'll be within a 6 hour drive of darling SciFi and will probably be able to actually drive down instead of fly to EEB next year. With at least one kid in tow, but we'll work that out.

I guess Ranger and I can both be disabled veterans now.

~Ang

quote:

Well... the Air Force in its infinate wisdom has determined that yours truly is no longer mentally fit to serve in the military. Yup... Medical Discharge.

Yeah, like it took the Air Force to figure THIS out!

You'll both do great in civilian life, no doubt, and I agree with Ang that the opportunites and challenges will more than reward to change. And hey, EEB is only 6 months away!

Ranger, sorry to hear you went out before you were planning on it, but I'm sure you'll make the most of it and come shining through, better than before .

Best of luck to you both.

Ranger: I understand how strong yet fragile the mind is. I had a visit to the psych. hosp. for a week this past summer. But, I'm better for it, and I'm sure you'll be too! Thanks for serving your country. John (fotonutz)

Ranger,
I'm just glad you will be back on the boards to make me laugh my ass off!

This new page in your life will open the roads of opportunity for you and Ang. The best is yet to come.

All of love,
I&A