homicide-erumpent
Notebook

Adjusting to home

September 4th, 2006 by Double Tap

I’m been home on leave from Iraq for four days now, and the adjustments have been interesting. In many ways, I feel like I’ve been dreaming and just woke up.

Even after being gone for nearly 12 months, my house hasn’t changed that much (aside from a step-daughter now living with us). My son, who was 2 when I left and is now 3, talks a lot more than I remember and I can actually hold somewhat of a conversation with him now. He was very much happy to see me, and makes a point of telling everyone that he sees that his Daddy is home now. My wife hasn’t changed that much, although she is much more independent and self-sufficient than I remember (a good thing). Driving wasn’t that big a change for me, although I do enjoy the acceleration of my car compared to that of a fully-armored HMMWV. Some soldiers who come back have issues with driving – mostly because they are used to dodging VBIEDs and IEDs in Iraq - but I was able to make the intellectual leap pretty easily. I know the cars around me aren’t going to explode and that there are no IEDs planted on the clean highways we have near my home.

One thing that struck me is that I am no longer carrying a firearm with me everywhere I go. In Iraq, as part of my base security duties, I carried a loaded M9 pistol on me every where I went – even on base. I don’t currently have a concealed carry license, so I’m not packin’ here at home. That first hit me when I was walking into a store and I noticed a group of teenagers hanging around outside the door looking like they were plotting no good. My mental alarm went off, which it often does in a war zone, and I suddenly realized I wasn’t armed. Nothing happened, but still, I can understand why a lot of soldiers end up getting CCWs when they come home. There’s something comforting in knowing that you can defend yourself.

tag Category : Uncategorized
tag Tags :
tag Similar Posts:

Leave a Reply

Subscribe without commenting