NPR Military Interview

NPR Military Interview

“A Rest Stop On The Road From Soldier To Civilian”

by Rachel Martin and Tom Dreisbach

            This article titled “A Rest Stop On The Road From Soldier To Civilian” by Rachel Martin and Tom Dreisbach tells the story of 182^nd Infantry Regiment of the Army National Guard and their journey home in March 2012. They have just returned from Afghanistan after being deployed overseas for a year. When they arrive at the airport, they are overjoyed to be back in the United States, but they are not allowed to go home immediately.

            Instead, they head to Camp Atterbury, a military base just south of the airport. At this base, they must undergo many tests and assessments in a process called demobilization. The army has to check them before allowing them to return home. They must see how the soldiers have reacted and will react to entering society again after being gone for such a long time. The men will be there for as long as they need to be, many wishing only to get home right away. One says, “You get excited about being in the United States but then you realize you have to be here for like five days, and that's even more depressing. So yeah, I'm basically checked out right now. I'm already considered a civilian, trapped in a military uniform.” However, the soldiers have to stay and listen to briefings, some as much as six hours long.

            They listen to Colonel Tim Newsome tell them about the process of reentering society. He says, “But listen, something is no kidding going to slap you right across the face when you get home within the first 72 hours, and it's going to let you know that life has continued on in your absence.” He tells them straight up that it is going to be difficult at first, but he also encourages them to get any help they need while they are at Camp Atterbury, whether they need help physically or mentally. He reassures them not to be afraid to ask for help.

            They also must see a doctor for checkups to ensure they are stable enough to be allowed to go back home or on another deployment in the future. Specialist John Nestico is one of the men who asks for help. He realizes how hard it is going to be for him to go back to society and a normal job. He thinks that he will feel out of place, since he is leaving the men he has grown so close to in the past year. They are like family, and he feels it will be hard to leave and resume a regular life. “And it's kind of like going from a family to an environment full of strangers,” he says. He is obviously overwhelmed by the quick change in environment. He felt out of place at first, but after getting some help, he feels better about returning to his situation back at home.

            These men relate to Paul and the other men in All Quiet on the Western Front. They feel out of place when they return home, just like Paul does. They have all been through so much that so many people don’t understand. Paul has trouble fitting back into society even for a few weeks. These men were deployed for a year and now have to figure out how they will reenter society in a way that they will be okay.

            These men having to wait to go home also relates to Paul and the other soldiers. Even when Paul and the others know that the end of the war is near, they have to continue battling, waiting to hear of an armistice that does not come in time.

            Also, the men have grown so close that they are like a family. This is the same with the men of the 182^nd Infantry. They have become brothers over time, and they feel that no one could know them any better than each other. They have been through difficult times together, and made lasting friendships.

            Both the men returning home from Afghanistan and the men in All Quiet on the Western Front have been greatly affected by war. Both will have troubles getting used to life out of the battlefield, but they will have each other to help them along the way on their journeys home.