Ping. A week+ old, but something I’d be curious to see your thoughts on, given your vantage point.
Even though I'm not in the military, I can so relate to this:
'I Don't Have Anything Else to Talk About'
At home, I found few people could understand the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many say it's just too complicated, and are convinced that America is losing. In polls, two-thirds now say they oppose the war. As these polls were being taken in July, I was in Kabul, where Army Lt. Col. Michael J. Loos, on his fourth deployment, told me: "I know we are making effective progress. I see it every day. This may be the most important thing I've ever done in the military.''
It's even becoming more difficult for soldier and civilian to converse. Army Capt. Stefan Hutnik, a company commander in Afghanistan, recalls being home from a combat tour and being told by his wife, as they were headed out to a family dinner, please don't talk about the Army or the war.
"But,'' he said sadly, "I don't have anything else to talk about.''
I've been here a long time now. It's part of my life's fabric, but nobody back home wants to have any of it peppering my conversation. There's a definite disconnect and I sometimes feel like a visitor when I'm home.
I feel forced to discuss what everyone else is discussing, comment on everyone else's life, but Heaven forbid if I open a little peek into my own. And it is my life now, but I feel a little stifled.
Other people who have been over here a long time, both military and civilian have said the same things.
We see and experience these amazing things, and nobody back home wants to hear about it. And as the article says, we don't have much else to talk about afer having been here so long.
So, we have a tendency to withdraw.
Or come back.