People always say that when soldiers get back from deployments the have "changed" they arent the same man as they were when they left.

Do you think thats true? Has your SO changed a lot since deployment? Like mentally?

I think it depends ...My husband was the same as before ...but I am sure everyone is different ...My husband is deployed 9 months out of the yr . every yr. so I guess he has gotton used to it

I think their mind changes to adapt the circumstances. It has to. So when they come back it takes a little time for them to adjust again. I remember dh came back from his last deployment and he would jump at loud noises- or duck. He was real touchy. He ended up being back to himself. But im sure he will go through the same thing this year too.

hmm. well mine hasnt been deployed yet but just being in the navy has changed him drastically

ok, my one sisters husband just took time to adjust and hten he was back to his old self....but....and i don't want to scare you b/c this is just once and its not everyone but my other sister's husband came back and started drinking and he NEVER drank before, he also had a hard time sleeping and now took up a night job, and is seeing a counselor. but once again THIS IS NOT EVERYONE! i hear most guys are fine, but just make sure you are paciant and understanding. good luck

my dh was a little different when he got back from deployment...but about a month later he was his old self again!

Well, now all of his stories start with "In the desert..." :lmao Ha-ha!

But otherwise he's pretty much the same. We no longer have 2-3 hour phone conversations every night, so in a lot of ways, he more reserved. That might have more to do with us, or in general, settling back into things. He's been all over the place since he got back, is moving, and has no routine yet, I think that might also have to do with it. But personality-wise, he hadn't really changed at all.

We no longer have 2-3 hour phone conversations every night, so in a lot of ways, he more reserved.

just being in the navy did that to Pete. i dont like it much

I think it depends a lot on the person and the specific deployment. My dh hasnt had to do anything on deployment but fix planes in a remote area. I'm sure the Marine on the ground in Iraq would be much more changed than my dh.

This is the first time that i have gone through a deployment with Jon but from what he has told me and from what his parents have told me... it changed him a lot. I know that dh still has PTSD w/o a doubt. He was very depressed when he got home and he medicates by drinking. I have seen him change for the better since we have been together but he still needed to make a lot of progress. For instance, he finally stoppped having to sleep with his gun on the end table. Im worried about when he gets home this time b/c he never got the help he needed last time.

Im just concerned about it. DF has a really good head on his shoulders, he is preparing himself the best he can, but all these guys from the unit he got put in, keep telling him all the horrer stories about being in Iraq. And sometimes I wonder if they tell him because they want him to be prepared, or they are doing to try and get under his skin.

I know in some ways he will change, because being in the military in general he has changed. HIs personality is still the same, he is still my timmay. But Im just worried it will depress him, and he will try and drink. But I know if I am there, which I will be. I dont allow him to drink so much.

I just dont want him coming back and being a completly different person.

He will always be your df. I know dh told his guys the stories from Iraq b/c a lot of them were very green and thought of going to Iraq as a video game. Is your df rear-d?

No he isnt Rear d

mine changed a bit. At first it felt like he changed, but then i realized that LIFE changed for both of us. We go that long living by ourselves that living together is hard to begin with. For the most part he comes right back to being the man i fell in love with.

it depends.... last time DH was in Iraq he was in a VERY dangerous place and saw a lot of horrible things. Those kind of things stick with you. In my opnion all of our past experiences help make us who were are today.

With that said DH has a strong mind and a strong sense of control of his mind. He has his degrees in psychology and that is his strength. So I don't think he let what he saw and did take over, but he carries it with him. As he prepares to leave for Iraq again in a couple of weeks I see him chagning in many ways. I think he is preparing himself again. I hope he comes back the same love of my life. War changes people.... some more than others. All we can do it pray, you know?

I think it all depends on where they go and the type of deployment.
When my dh went on a ship he was "normal" when he came home.
But after the Iraq deployment he is different some are good some are bad.

My DB tells me about how his first deployment to the sandbox changed him. He is much more sensitive, forgiving, and thankful. His family contests to this as well. He also tells me about how he always keeps his weapon in a certain place and when he's home, when there is a loud noise, his arms automatically reach for it. I know that there is alot of trauma that will live with him forever, but I think that despite the signs of PTSD, he is gaining a perspective on the world that will allow him to live life to the fullest when he gets back.