"Once a person stays in the military for a large number of years...

[Smith_3]

...he becomes so used to that structure taking care of him, that it becomes increasingly hard for him to cope with a life on his own, outside of the military, where he has to make all his decisions on his own."

What do you think about this statement? I heard someone say that a few days ago.

[bryant69]

1. Humans are naturally adaptable, and it's probably not much more than tendancy

Like saying "Acedemics tend to look at things in abstract terms, and aren't able to understand the practical real world implications of their ideas." True in some cases, false in others.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[InkAddict]

9. Bell curve...

Adaptation occurs over time - For some, adaptation is easy; others, not so.

There are those that don't adapt to the military-structured life as well, even over time.

What the OP heard is patently untrue with, I'd imagine, rare exceptions, one-way or the other, over time.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

2. Military retirees have an alarmingly high early death rate. nt

[babylonsister]

3. My DH got out 2 days after he did 20 years; he's coping just fine. nt

[Throd]

4. Sounds like crap to me.

My dad served in the USAF for 24 years. He is doing quite well all these years later.

[VP505]

5. There is a grain

of truth to that statement but having been around many retired military including my own father my experience doesn't support saying that.

[sampsonblk]

6. That's bull, written by someone who probably didn't serve-nt

[liberal N proud]

7. I wouldn't say that at all

Many career military people go on to second careers and do quite well because of their discipline and structure.

That statement sounds like someone stereotyping all the military because of those who come out brainwashed and follow the right wing talking points.

[Warpy]

8. I've seen a lot of retired military do very well

as long as they didn't spend too much time facing bullets. They often become double dippers, getting another government job like postal worker, gaining them another government pension to add to the military pension. Others either retire on the pension and enjoy life or take civilian jobs.

Don't forget our military also have lives outside the military. They have wives/husbands and kids. There are plenty of life decisions that have to be made by someone who isn't in the military chain of command.

This sounds like the basic argument against socialism, that people who are guaranteed jobs and healthcare and the benefits of living in a civilized culture become weak and incapable of making decisions and caring for themselves.

Better the rugged individual, a dog to eat all other dogs first. That doesn't sound like the kind of world I want to live in. I'm just amazed that it's being sold by statements like that in the OP.

[matcom]

10. I saw it when I was in

but careful not to paint TOO broad a brush. my experience was that your "lifer" NCO's in combat brigades (I was in tanks specifically) did have trouble adjusting.

the officers on the other hand not so much

[leeroysphitz]

11. It may be true for some but I've known plenty of career soldies who had no problem

making the transition.

[Avalux]

12. My SO retired after 23 years. He admits there's a definite adjustment but he's doing well.

He got a government job after 3 months doing nothing and is back working in the military environment; however it's different since he's no longer AD. He gets to wear whatever he wants and is growing his hair. It's kinda cool. He does still have his uniform and boots in the trunk of his car though; it is hard to let go (he admits).

Towards the end of his career he became very disillusioned with the military; he believes Bush ruined what was once an honorable career.

[Submariner]

13. I saw a few of those guys in the Navy - late '60s

They would do 8 to 12 years and get out, then I would see them on the sub base 4 to 6 months later. They said it was easier knowing that by re-enlisting they would 'always' have a bunk and 3 meals a day. They could not adapt to the rigors of civilian employment and dropped out to sometimes come back to the same boat.

Another 8 to 12 tears as a 'lifer' and they would get to retire in 20 with a pension at 38 years old. They usually looked like they were 50 by then. I can see why, the 18 to 20 hour days at sea were a MF'er.

[rubberducky]

14. I have always thought that there was a warrior mentality in the "services".

Perhaps, "orders" are a part of that mentality. But, when people are taught to be warriors, it only seems to make sense that war is thier goal. It seems to me that the warrior mentality is wrapped in the flag of patriotism. Glory, patriotism, "freedom" == war on the "enemies".

[genie_weenie]

15. This is something my SgtMaj

said to a hall full of marines back in 2001, in order to scare them into re-upping.

The theme is it's a big bad scary world out there, stay in the Corps... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psi_Corps">The Corps is Mother, The Corps is Father.

[Ikonoklast]

16. Meh. Broad-brush statement made with no supporting evidence

Many military are the self-motivating type, sometimes stifled by the restrictive echelons of rank, and do quite well on their own. Others needed the structure of military discipline to keep them on track, to be able to succeed.

I've known both types. I think the temperament of the individual has more to do with it.