Life after door kicking.

Tag: Veterans

  • Two Wars, One Generation: Why Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans Deserve Proper Recognition

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    For more than twenty years, American service members fought across two completely different battlefields: Afghanistan and Iraq. A lot of us — myself included — served in both. But the way our awards are structured, you’d think those deployments were all part of one single conflict. Anyone who actually fought in them knows that’s not…

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    lifeafterdoorkicking

  • From Duty to Dad: Navigating Fatherhood After War

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    I never really knew my dad.If you added up all the time I spent with him, it wouldn’t make six months. The first time I saw him, I was around eight, and I don’t remember doing much with him. The next time was as a preteen, and that round didn’t do me any favors —…

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    lifeafterdoorkicking

  • A Different Assignment – A Different Fate

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    Today marks a day I can never forget. Twenty three years ago, the squad I was in before we deployed, hit an AT mine. I was moved to weapons squad as soon as I got in country. I’ve carried the weight of that randomness, the loss of my team, and the disillusionment that followed. I…

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    lifeafterdoorkicking

  • I’m not bitter

    Some people might think I regret my time in the Army. Truth is, I don’t. I volunteered, reenlisted, and if my body held up, I’d still be in. I even loved the deployments—the rush, the purpose, the brotherhood. But I didn’t join to serve a noble cause. I joined to escape. I’d like to say…

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    lifeafterdoorkicking

  • Opening old wounds.

    This Is Gonna Hurt No matter how hard you tug, it’s not coming off fast. I’ve been picking at these scabs for a long time. Every now and then, after I get good and drunk, I find myself walking down memory lane with someone. Enthusiastically recalling my glory days. By the end, I’m half, maybe…

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    lifeafterdoorkicking

  • Transitioning.

    My life after door kicking. I’ll be coming up on 10 years post military life. I thought I made the transition within a few months of seperation. Now, almost 10 years out, I have realized that in some ways I am still transitioning. From my expectations of co-workers, the way I attack both my personal…

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    lifeafterdoorkicking