Dude, get out and do something positive for yourself or someone else.

I think the hike is an excellent idea. When I was leaving my ex I highly considered going on a 6 month survival hike from California to Canada.

Everyone is right... you should lay off the booze... tempting as it may be and find a more constructive mode of coping. Don't beat yourself up about decisions you made in your past. Everything happens exactly as it should... if anything else was supposed to have happened it would have. You know the saying follow your bliss? Well... I think it stands to reason that you shouldn't have to give up your passion for someone else.

Out of curiosity... have you spoken to her about any of this before now? Is it possible that she wouldn't want you to leave the military... is it possible that the break up could have been avoided... or that the relationship could be repaired simply through greater communication?

Have you considered counseling?

Sarge, if you go away, where am I going to get links for all my kinky sex needs? I need you!

On a more serious note, as a military ex-wife myself, I can say that YES, deployments suck. YES, it's hard on the family, especially when there's kids involved. But personally, it is not an abandonment. I'm sorry your ex-wife saw it that way, and it blows that she was unable to realize the sacrifices YOU were making by doing what you thought was right. Leaving the military is not easy. You're tossed out on your own with no assistance transitioning, no job, and no advice. You go from ON ON ON to off, and no help getting there. I wouldn't recommend giving up your career for your ex; it will honestly make things worse in SEVERAL directions. You'll end up resenting her eventually, when you realize that once again YOU are the one sacrificing. You'll STILL have a hard time transitioning, which will make tension between the two of you worse. Please, PLEASE, think before you do anything. And if you need a pair of comforting arms and a place to stay and someone to keep an eye on you for a while, there's an empty cabin here with your name on it. Let me know.

do you have a farm that you could ride your ATV around, and maybe some big tires you could flip over to prove your love for her?

go get your wang wet.

Sarge, you ok?

I only just saw this thread. I've read it with mounting concern.

I've no advice to offer beyond what's been said, but I'd like to echo the offers of support *hugs* Let us know you're ok.

We'd like to hear that you are OK, Sarge. Please check in.

Sarge sighting ... talk to us, we're here for you matey.

bumpity
Hey Sarge ....

yeah. We need him to check in.

C'mon big guy.

Big Sarge, CHECK IN. We're very concerned about you and want to know you're okay. PLEASE check in.

Add me to the list of the concerned... I hope he just went "walkabout".
Please let us know how you are, Sarge.

Me too. :(

If Big Sarge posted while drunk he might be embarrassed by this thread.
But if you read this, please update us Sarge - people have shared far more intimate things and also have posted some real crap, especially while drinking. There is genuine concern here - if you don't want to rake up bad feelings by giving us details, just tell us you're still alive and we'll back off until you're ready.

Sarge is probably "tied up" as Treasenuak would put it. ;)