My DF finally talked to me this weekend about being over there. He was on an airbase for his deployment, but was still being shot at/ mortared/ rocketed every day, of course.
He finally talked to me about the stress of having the rockets burst through the walls, how he started smoking to deal with it, how hard it was to quit when he got back.
He doesn't talk about it much, and never complains. He's been back for almost a year now and is doing well, thank goodness. I was crying and couldn't let him see...he went through more than he will probably ever tell me.

But I just wanted to give a :hugehug to everyone whose SO is dealing with PTSD or combat stress. This weekend, I had a glimpse of what our men and women live through every day over there, no matter their branch or their job. I admire all of you for the great love, care, and patience you have for your SO's that are still suffering from the war, and as I enter this life myself, I will be remembering you as my examples in the hard times that may come.

i'm glad he is doing well...and i too would like to give :hugs to anyone whose SO is having to deal with PTSD...it's a terrible thing to have to deal with and i hope they are able to get the treatment necessary to relieve some of their suffering :hugs:hugs:hugs

A heartfelt :hugs to those that have gone through this. Be strong, you are an important part of SO, DH's life. I appreciate each of you. Hang in there. This stuff it tough. I know you can get through it.

i am so glad that he opened up to you a little bit about it. i swear that is the hardest thing to deal with, not being able to help them because they won't open up. of course we (those of us who have never been there) will never fully understand what they have been through, but getting them to talk to you about it is such a huge step! that is great he's doing well!

my db just got home from iraq his second tour in september, and now he's out of the military, so we are dealing with ptsd big time and it is SO HARD!!!

:hugs :hugs :hugs to everybody dealing with this!