It is by returning to some of the basic principles engrained during active duty service that Veterans can learn to both survive and ultimately thrive in the civilian world. Just like shooting, by changing habits, they can change the course and trajectory of their lives. While great strides have been made to translate occupations like combat medics to civilian medical training, it is often the harder to define character traits of discipline, initiative, leadership, and service that are the most important components of success in veterans transition.

Sleep became an issue and I started drinking so much Nyquil that it was cheaper to buy the big packs at Costco. During the day I was drinking coffee and 5-hour Energy shots, left and right. I wasn’t addressing any of my emotional issues and the depression was really kicking in. Scarier questions and thoughts popped into my head and I figured if I worked out even harder, I would be too tired to even think about them.