Once A Warrior, Always A Warrior

Here I am again sitting in front of my computer getting ready to talk about another topic for my blog and this kind of piggy backs some of my other posts and yet again I'm wrestling with talking about this topic. Knowing fully that I'm opening myself up here more and more. The title is from a book I'm reading and it's very powerful the effect it's having on my life.

I really don't know how to explain this to so many people who haven't been in the military, but the reality is as I read this book I've learned many areas of my life that I've been trained or conditioned to function in combat. So in essence this book talks about how to retrain your mind and your body so you understand how to function in a world where warriors aren't needed. The reality is the knowledge we needed in combat doesn't really transfer over into this world. I find it rather frustrating at times when I'm reading this book simply because there is much realization that is happening for me. This book continues to show me that it's not by my strength that I will change and move forward from here, but that it's by God's strength that I continue to change. To push forward when the times get tough and all you want to do is crawl under a rock to just hide from everyone else.

The books talks very openly about how soldiers; men and women who were trained to fight for their country go through retraining and conditioning on how to function in combat and under stress. It also talks about mTBI and PTSD how both play a part in reintegration with soldiers and society. These are topics that take some time getting used to talk about as a soldier and as a civilian as many people are interested to know what I did when I was in the military or if I have any lasting effects.

I do have last effects from my time in the military and from Iraq as well, but that doesn't bother so much. What bothers me is when people make assumptions about veterans who they don't have a clue about what they are going through. It's difficult to see all the combat skills come to light when you're in a society that doesn't understand the purpose of it's warriors who fight, bleed, burn, and die for there country. Yes, there is a lot of support for our troops right now which is great! I've had flashbacks, memories which are unpleasant, and other effects from my time, but that doesn't change what God is doing in my life.

Many veterans who are doing what they need to do to reintegrate into society are realizing that they may have the warrior mentality for the rest of their life which is true for many combat veterans. We learned a pretty unique skill set while training for combat and some of the skills will be with us for the rest of our lives and that's just the reality. Doesn't mean that we just let them run our lives, but that we do what we can to get a grasp of our combat skills. There maybe be times when our skills that we learned for combat may have some use in our world. I loved what I did when I was in the military and I would never change that nor the experiences which I've been through while in Iraq. I know it sounds crazy, but what is happening in my life right now tells me it's all worth it for what God is doing right now!

I will forever have that warrior mentality and I'm okay with that. I'm learning how to handle the training which was used to keep me alive in combat and how I can use it if necessary in this world which I live in now. I love my God, my country, my military experience, my church, my family, my friends, and my enemies. This is not easy to say especially the end talking about loving my enemies those who tried to take my life when I was in the military. They do not know what they  were doing and won't till it's to late for them.

Well this has been a work in progress and I must say that I enjoyed writing it and I hope that you enjoy reading it. Please and I mean please if you have been a long time reader or just recently started reading my blog I would encourage you to post or send me an email @ bigfah@gmail.com or if you're a facebook friend then post a comment on my page or a message. Whichever is comfortable for you! Thank you and God bless you!!

© Nathan Fahlin