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I don't know if this is still true, but at least when my brother was serving, History of mood disorders requiring outpatient care for longer than 6 months by a physician or other mental health professional, or inpatient treatment in a hospital or residential facility is automatic disqualifying.
18 years of firefighting, along with 13 years of dispatching and law enforcement I have some thoughts. I should type this from my computer and not a tablet. Anyway, military and law enforcement spend much of their careers in a hyper state of vigilance. They see the worst of the worst day in and day out. They maintain that state, the pendulum swings fast the other direction leading to depressed states. Managing the swings helps to maintain good physical health and mental health.
It is partly why law enforcement has higher rates of divorce and health issues. Learning to mange that stress is difficult. I try to keep my work life and personal life separate but, it seems to follow along. I attempt to treat everyone fairly and with respect. When I do have to take enforcement action I try to do so in a way that they can walk away holding their head up high.
Can't really argue with this post at all, very balanced stuff.
18 years of firefighting, along with 13 years of dispatching and law enforcement I have some thoughts. I should type this from my computer and not a tablet. Anyway, military and law enforcement spend much of their careers in a hyper state of vigilance. They see the worst of the worst day in and day out. They maintain that state, the pendulum swings fast the other direction leading to depressed states. Managing the swings helps to maintain good physical health and mental health.
It is partly why law enforcement has higher rates of divorce and health issues. Learning to mange that stress is difficult. I try to keep my work life and personal life separate but, it seems to follow along. I attempt to treat everyone fairly and with respect. When I do have to take enforcement action I try to do so in a way that they can walk away holding their head up high.
I definitely appreciate guys that do these jobs, much like the military, I got a lot of respect for men that do the tough jobs. I always have the back of cops same goes for firefighters, EMT's and the like.
I have always supported our military vets I thank my lucky stars that we have the brave men and women that have the courage and conviction to protect our freedoms and liberties and to do the sacrifices and the hard work.
Can't really argue with this post at all, very balanced stuff.
Managing stress and the depressed swings becomes important. Physical activity and a hobby or activity are great for mental, emotional and physical well being.
For me, I divorced, transferred duty stations, changed jobs three years later. I remarried, moved to a place I like, lost 85 pounds and developed healthy habits. My new job is a thinking game where I am learning new things all the time, the hours are better than before as a dispatcher.
18 years of firefighting, along with 13 years of dispatching and law enforcement I have some thoughts. I should type this from my computer and not a tablet. Anyway, military and law enforcement spend much of their careers in a hyper state of vigilance. They see the worst of the worst day in and day out. They maintain that state, the pendulum swings fast the other direction leading to depressed states. Managing the swings helps to maintain good physical health and mental health.
It is partly why law enforcement has higher rates of divorce and health issues. Learning to mange that stress is difficult. I try to keep my work life and personal life separate but, it seems to follow along. I attempt to treat everyone fairly and with respect. When I do have to take enforcement action I try to do so in a way that they can walk away holding their head up high.
Man, you sound like my brother. He wears so many hats in the first responder field and everything you wrote is dead on.
Managing stress and the depressed swings becomes important. Physical activity and a hobby or activity are great for mental, emotional and physical well being.
For me, I divorced, transferred duty stations, changed jobs three years later. I remarried, moved to a place I like, lost 85 pounds and developed healthy habits. My new job is a thinking game where I am learning new things all the time, the hours are better than before as a dispatcher.
We often recognize the service members for the sacrifices they make, but sometimes we forget about the sacrifices their children and whole family make. We thank the service men and women who serve our country when we see them. I do believe we should start appreciating the sacrifices our police officers, fire fighters, are making on daily basis as well.
I am not really religious, but I really like a prayer I heard a long time ago,
"Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we give you praise and thanksgiving for all the first responders and military personnel in our communities around the world who bravely serve to protect us from harm. Be with them tonight and protect them always as they continue their diligence on the streets and battlefields. We ask Our Blessed Mother to always be their Mother ready to protect them. For those who have given their lives, we ask that their families are healed and protected from more harm. Amen."
It doesn't matter if we swing left or right, it certainly doesn't matter if we believe in Jesus or God, being kind to your fellow citizen is never a bad thing.
I have a little bit change of heart about OP, I would say Go for it girl, don't let anybody stopping you from loving a man in uniform. =)
Man, you sound like my brother. He wears so many hats in the first responder field and everything you wrote is dead on.
Now...pile 5 kids on there.
Uffda.
It is what I do, I love what I do. It isn't about being brave. However, I do have a strong type A personality.
The worst moment was an officer involved shooting. The officer didn't get to go home. That was my hardest struggle. It almost was a career ender for me. Even though I did everything I could, it took me realizing that my actions could not change the outcome. However, it did prevent others from becoming hurt and it kept the situation from becoming worse.
It came to a point that I had to walk away from the whole situation. Change my circle of friends, find something else to do on the anniversary of the incident.
Yeah. My brother almost ended firefighting after finding the remains of a family huddled together right in the begining of his career. It took him down pretty hard, but he also has a strong type A personality.
My hats off to you guys. I'm a first responder in a foundry, but I'm not likely to run into thinks like that.
18 years of firefighting, along with 13 years of dispatching and law enforcement I have some thoughts. I should type this from my computer and not a tablet. Anyway, military and law enforcement spend much of their careers in a hyper state of vigilance. They see the worst of the worst day in and day out. They maintain that state, the pendulum swings fast the other direction leading to depressed states. Managing the swings helps to maintain good physical health and mental health.
It is partly why law enforcement has higher rates of divorce and health issues. Learning to mange that stress is difficult. I try to keep my work life and personal life separate but, it seems to follow along. I attempt to treat everyone fairly and with respect. When I do have to take enforcement action I try to do so in a way that they can walk away holding their head up high.
Just addressing the part I put in bold. Although the statistics are there to support what you've stated I know that there are still many couples who marry and stay married. Retired LEO here with over 30 years in LE working nights, weekends, holidays and so on. My wife and I met in high school and we waited to marry after she finished college. I'd already been a police officer for 3 years at this point. We've now been together over 36 years total. I worked with plenty of officers who did go through divorces but I also worked with plenty who have been married for a long time with no signs of slowing down. Just wanted to point out that a relationship with someone in a uniform is not a sure sign of a divorce.
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It doesn't matter if we swing left or right, it certainly doesn't matter if we believe in Jesus or God, being kind to your fellow citizen is never a bad thing.
