I am sorry. I don't have any problems with civilians. I AM one and have been so since 1994 when I left the reserves (thanks to the Clinton RIF). However one of the things I have found is that the training and experiences of that fairly long association as well as my continued association with present day soldiers and marines and "operators" imprints itself on my mindset, reactions and overall personality. I find this to be a pretty common phenomenon with many folks of military experience. My "warped" (my family, friends and students seem to think it's warped) sense of humor is a direct link to that, too. That training coupled with the training and experiences I had in my brief stint as a Law Enforcement Officer has kept me safe in civilian life, too. Especially as a teacher in the inner city.
It took a very long time for me to find out just who and what all this training and life experiences made me and why I'm sooooooo different from 99% of all the teachers I've met over the last 20 years: WHAT MAKES ME A SHEEPDOG? I find this defines me to the last molecule in my being. I have found so many sheepdogs, too, that have never served in the military or had anything to do with it. Never been a cop or worked as a parole officer (my LEO effort). Folks who came to being a sheepdog because they found the long dormant warrior spirit that I think defines the free man and woman and especially the free American through some trauma in their lives or in the life of somebody close to them. ExSoldiers are just able to tap into it a bit easier. that's all. lol Sorry for the rant.
“However one of the things I have found is that the training and experiences of that fairly long association as well as my continued association with present day soldiers and marines and “operators” imprints itself on my mindset, reactions and overall personality.”
They were fighter pilots, not “operators”, a very long time ago.