I left out one other feature of our experience from combat: survivor's guilt. I spent years grieving for the friends who died and asking God why I was allowed to live. (That's a bit more personal than I intended - but it's real, nonetheless). It is what it is.
I have never even thought of applying for some sort of VA assistance because I don't look at it as a disability - just a feature of the experience. I actually prefer "hypervigilance". It keep me aware of my surroundings - and as we used to say "paranoia is just common sense when somebody really is after you".
Hypervigilance is a good term. I’m like that everyday all day.
I have survivor’s guilt, especially due to one situation, but I realized I don’t have control over that. God had other plans for us, and here we are.
I’m with you 100% on paranoia. It’s not paranoia if they’re really trying to get you heh. I use that one quite often.
What drives me to real anger is when guys do themselves in though. The last friend that did that left behind a wife and two very young kids. That’s the absolute most selfish thing a person can do, no regard for others at all.