Guardsman adjusting to civilian life

Guardsman adjusting to civilian life/


By Mary Jo Balasco - The (Rock Hill) Herald via The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Dec 20, 2008 14:22:17 EST

ROCK HILL, S.C. — South Carolina Army National Guard Capt. Bill Berry spent his last holiday season on an Army base in Afghanistan, packing equipment for a mission to teach soldiers how to handle roadside bombs. During his 13-month deployment, the Rock Hill man often had to leave the base, sometimes for days, placing him in jeopardy nearly every day.

“The hair stood up on the back of my neck a few times,” said Berry, 47. “Any time you’re outside of the gate, there is danger.”

Berry and the 175 other soldiers of the 178th Engineer Battalion arrived home in May. This year, they will celebrate the holidays with their families as they continue to adjust from serving in the war zones.

Readjusting to civilian life can be fraught with problems for returning soldiers. Military officials say they may face issues that vary from mild to severe, depending on their experience.

And the adjustment for National Guard soldiers like Berry can be even more difficult than for active military soldiers. That’s because, unlike active soldiers, guardsman go home to communities where most people can’t relate to their experiences, said Chief Warrant Officer Terry O’Conner, reintegration program director for the South Carolina Army National Guard.
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