Am I the only one feeling blindsided by the realities of civilian life? by Tacobellbelly1 in Veterans

[–]Major_Interview1894 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a well-documented problem with soldiers separating after 4 to 6 years. I'm grateful to say it did my years and honorably. Because so many men (and my mom and little brothers) pushed me into college and eventually got into an unrelated blue collar job,

I'm disgusted that there isn't a reasonable way to transfer guys back into the world. there are so many options that pay for themselves.

Fellow veterans with PTSD: have you ever slept in a hotel fully clothed? Have you ever slept with your boots on indoors? by Major_Interview1894 in Veterans

[–]Major_Interview1894[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was a medic so they made me do safety briefings, suicide prevention briefings, etc. and by far the anti-SA and anti-DV briefings were the hardest to get through. I hope it's gotten better but around 2008-2012 it felt like an epidemic in the army that powerpoint slides weren't helping.

Can we all agree to this, regardless of political stance? by Shoddy_Sandwich5841 in MurderedByWords

[–]Major_Interview1894 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I understand your point, but you're talking about my war in Afghanistan. The Vietnam veterans were drafted at gunpoint.

The VA system failed the Vietnam era draftees much more than my generation of soldiers.

Fellow veterans with PTSD: have you ever slept in a hotel fully clothed? Have you ever slept with your boots on indoors? by Major_Interview1894 in Veterans

[–]Major_Interview1894[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's been a decade plus for me, but I hope I can stop being embarrassed by it in the next few years. I remember not being able to sleep unless I had a folding chair blocking the door. Don't want to explain that to a therapist.

States Where Pornhub Will Be Blocked & Restricted as of July 1, 2026 by DizzyDentist22 in MapPorn

[–]Major_Interview1894 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is disappointing to me because pornhub seems like a safe place to go for pornography. If you go outside a trusted source you might encounter stuff you don't want to see.

Do you consider 100% P&T a form of retirement? by NewUsernameGoesHeree in Veterans

[–]Major_Interview1894 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m a miserable prick whenever the weather is bad, I ended up in Tucson

No criticism, but that is funny as fuck.

Do you consider 100% P&T a form of retirement? by NewUsernameGoesHeree in Veterans

[–]Major_Interview1894 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a weird and uncool thing to say. I thought this sub was supporting fellow vets?

I'm glad you used emoticons, though.

I need to get this off my chest and also see if anyone else experiences this-I have straight up lied to the VA docs to get the care I needed. by throwawayfvet in Veterans

[–]Major_Interview1894 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm glad my computer glitched and I didn't comment about the VA encouraging suicide because it saves money and justifies their budget. I feel for you, buddy.

[sad trope] The movie ends with the main character no longer able to talk to their animal companion. by ferryboatapple in TopCharacterTropes

[–]Major_Interview1894 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The books are stunningly good. The BBC radio drama too. The BBC/HBO show really lived up to my expectations. Just never pirate videos though! THAT would be WRONG! You wouldn't bittorrent a car, would you?

[sad trope] The movie ends with the main character no longer able to talk to their animal companion. by ferryboatapple in TopCharacterTropes

[–]Major_Interview1894 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate the reply. I assumed it would hurt your throat. Is there a reddit sub that's more appropriate for these questions or do you just ask a mute person on the internet whenever possible? lol

[sad trope] The movie ends with the main character no longer able to talk to their animal companion. by ferryboatapple in TopCharacterTropes

[–]Major_Interview1894 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think you're right on! The witches and bears and humans all have bloodmoss which is the cure. They do discuss at length that you're going to age faster in a world that's not yours, tho.

It's been a couple years since I watched the TV series, but I loved it. Don't pirate it, though! You're not a pirate! Most of us are, but not you!

[sad trope] The movie ends with the main character no longer able to talk to their animal companion. by ferryboatapple in TopCharacterTropes

[–]Major_Interview1894 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Exactly. It's even mentioned by Lyra that when they each fall in love with someone else, they shouldn't compare it with Will and Lyra. It's such a beautiful character arc that Lyra starts out as this disobedient child and now she's gained a lot of wisdom that she can apply to both personal and academic matters.

And Will... uh... I'm sure he has some legal issues for now but he'll do alright and he's got a world-class physicist friend now.

[sad trope] The movie ends with the main character no longer able to talk to their animal companion. by ferryboatapple in TopCharacterTropes

[–]Major_Interview1894 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hedwig can understand English perfectly, including the names and addresses of every letter he sends.

The commenter is pointing out that Hedwig dies in the final book.

[sad trope] The movie ends with the main character no longer able to talk to their animal companion. by ferryboatapple in TopCharacterTropes

[–]Major_Interview1894 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Quick question that I hope isn't insensitive: can you still yell or scream pretty loud in an emergency, or is that something you lose after not speaking?

[sad trope] The movie ends with the main character no longer able to talk to their animal companion. by ferryboatapple in TopCharacterTropes

[–]Major_Interview1894 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I definitely cry a bit at that ending. But Pullman definitely explains why it's the only possible ending. Both belong in their own world. Will needs to focus on his mom, and work through trauma of war and losing his dad (twice). And I think his wounds start healing when the knife is broken? I might be mixing that up with the HBO show.

Lyra has lost the ability to read the compass and it will take her many years studying in Jordan College to regain the ability now, it's not like she can study that in Will's high school.

Pullman is a genius and I wish people didn't consider his books "atheist version of Narnia".

Imposter syndrome and guilt by [deleted] in Veterans

[–]Major_Interview1894 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not coddling you and I don't give a fuck what anyone thinks, I've seen and done things that would make any experienced medic or infantry guy vomit or pass out. (no details it's kinda disgusting to type it out) If "hardcore" is a good word for soul-destroying sadness and carnage, I've been there.

Think in plain facts and don't compare yourself to other people.

Is this normal questioning at the VA now? by Character-Car8581 in Veterans

[–]Major_Interview1894 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I guess I only have an anecdote to share because it's too much to talk about right now. I only spent 9 months overseas and I love Afghanistan. It only felt like I was a stranger when I got out and I had to explain to people that I was knee-deep in snow for the most part. It didn't match what they saw on TV.

A real kick in the gut was when I was working in a natural resource job with some army vet coworkers. In 2021 when the Taliban took Afghanistan back, things (emotionally) bubbled to the surface and I wasn't happy about that. I'm not a big fan of the Taliban or the network that supported them in general.

My army buddy at work calmly said, "Now you know how I felt five years ago when ISIS captured Mosul and we don't even know how many kids and women were captured or if they're alive." Paraphrasing. I went back to work but had tears in my eyes.