Help Me Become a Civilian Again

Well, its about that time folks. After graduating high school in June 1999, I enlisted in the Air Force and shipped off to basic in August. I joined the AF to get job skills, serve the nation, and maybe get some travelling in. Upon graduating tech school as a 1N2, (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjob1n2x1.htm">Description),

I was sent to Fort George G. Meade between DC and Baltimore, where I spent the two best years of my life.

In July 2002, I was sent over here, Misawa, Japan, and I've been here since, except for 57 days in 2003 when I went home to get married.

Now, the wife and I are moving back to the Ft Meade area, except that I'll be a civilian for the first time since pretty much high school. I've avoided alot of the military's brainwashing, but, I'm human and I have alot of habits that are native to military life.

So. I need your help, DU, since the vast majority of posters here are like-minded compared to myself.

When I left the states, there wasn't a war on, we were in 9/11 mode, this that and the other, and our president had the support of most of the nation. Obviously things are different now, but how? What's changed? What's the attitude of the American public, etc.

Thanks. :)

is all over the place. Some people think George W is the Second Coming. Others see him as the Anti-Christ.

What you'll find different about civilian life is that there's a wider range of expressed opinion and lifestyles compared to the military.

The DC area in general is a pretty decent area to live. Do you have a job yet?

I guess, just in case you run into idiots who will give you grief for having been in the military at all, you might not want to mention it first off to everyone you meet.

Welcome back!

smoke weed.

Well you have a great security clearance you could get a job in Denver and most other places if you do not like No Street Address

but, I'm an east coast kind of guy, and I love Washington, much more than anywhere else I've been. My family, and my wife's, lives in Pittsburgh, so that's nice too.

Our leader started an illegal war, and the sheeple believed in his cause. While the rest of us know the truth, and don't support this illegal war, since we know why the US invaded Iraq, it's not to 'free' the Iraqis, it's to gain control of their oil.
Stay with DU to keep your head clear of lies you see in the media, since the huge corporations will tell you what they want you to hera, not neccessarily the truth..

I'll take a stab. I think there are 3 major categories for attitudes of Americans at this point.

The first group of Americans oppose the Iraq invasion, think the troops have been sent there illegally, ineffectively or just mis-guidedly.

The second category includes people who are mixed on the Iraq war, don't think they have enough information to form a strong opinion for or against it. Just willing to put their heads down and accept it.

And the third includes people who support the Iraq invasion, believe it IS a worthwhile part of the vaguely defined 'war on terror'. They may believe Saddam was involved with 911 but for whatever reason they are willing to accept the war on Iraq as a substitute for the pursuit and capture of OBL.

What percentage fall in each of those, I don't know and it probably varies by region.

that around here on base, and no offense to any fellow servicemen, but it seems like the vast majority of the people around me, and shockingly even in my careerfield, are totally ignorant to proven facts about the war on terror, Iraq, social security, etc. From what I know, awareness of politics and world events is higher in the DC area, but really, is the American population really that ignorant?