Having served 6 years as a grunt in the USMC, I can say with absolute certainty that this is a great way to honor / support vets. After toting a machine gun (two tours in Iraq), its a hard adjustment to make, to get out and ride a desk. The military kind of changes the way you are wired... your excitement threshold gets bumped up a couple levels (a job as a computer drafter just doesn't make you feel the same way you did when you were getting shot at). Not to mention, you feel an overwhelming sense of isolation... because no civilian really knows what you're going through.

I know I could have benefited greatly from such a "retreat."

Now, people still don't understand me (and why I climb), but at least now, I know that I have a brotherhood that does. For as much bickering and "elitism" that take place amongst the climbing ranks, climbers are probably the most tight knit group of people, next to marines. There is something about holding someone's life in your hands, that just brings people closer together.

effectsofaltitude wrote:Having served 6 years as a grunt in the USMC, I can say with absolute certainty that this is a great way to honor / support vets. After toting a machine gun (two tours in Iraq), its a hard adjustment to make, to get out and ride a desk. The military kind of changes the way you are wired... your excitement threshold gets bumped up a couple levels (a job as a computer drafter just doesn't make you feel the same way you did when you were getting shot at). Not to mention, you feel an overwhelming sense of isolation... because no civilian really knows what you're going through.

I know I could have benefited greatly from such a "retreat."

Now, people still don't understand me (and why I climb), but at least now, I know that I have a brotherhood that does. For as much bickering and "elitism" that take place amongst the climbing ranks, climbers are probably the most tight knit group of people, next to marines. There is something about holding someone's life in your hands, that just brings people closer together.

Thank you for your service!

If you get to California, I would be very pleased to show you some long up-hill deals, bring your own heavy load, I have one.

welcome to SP.

gk

Having served 7+ years in the Army Special Operations (Task Force 160th) In Panama, the first Gulf War, and Somalia, this is good news to me. I had a horrible time adjusting to life after the military. The SC is helping vets realize that they are not alone after their terms of service are up. By the way, when I was in the military the SC was not a club that was condoned by the DoD.

Our Natural Resources program at the college for which I teach has a very active veterans component. It's impressive how many want an outdoor job and life after they come back. Kudos to them!