I haven't talked to him in a year but yes, he's always done that. Why? Just curious as to why you asked.
Because he is trying to keep his mind occupied. He doesent know it but he is. When people often have stuff on their mind that, either they want to forget or want to talk about but is currently off topic, they talk 90 miles per hour and joke about the weirdest things from stupid jokes to morbid humor. If he sneaks things about the military in on the conversations he wants to talk about his service. Civilians will hear him speak and not respond to him and or leave him alone because his stories and jokes are both taylored toward the military and, lets face it, how do you talk to a guy who's seen what he has and lived how he lived? Not too many people can match such a conversation with a related story. This shuts him off from the outside world. A simple conversation among friends back home isnt going to intreige him much. When he hangs around vets though he will talk for hours. It is important that you ask him about his job, training, travel, etc, and let him open up to you. HOWEVER, if you only THINK he has PTSD and do not know for sure, do not assume that he does and do not accuse him of having it! This will piss him off as it did when my crazy sister attempted to do the same thing to me. Also DO NOT assume you know what his life is like because, lets face it, his life is more his service to his country than his family. Thats why military service does not end with the service member. PTSD isnt necessarily a bad thing. In many cases its a condition that you develope to keep yourself alive. But that PTSD that comes from guilt is the worst. Only he can determin that he needs help in this reguard and if he does you or someone else in the family will know it because he will ask for it if they pay attention. Anyway I could go on for hours about this stuff but it is real important that when he is home he doesent run in to alot of stress whether it be bills, the cleanlyness of the house, or people asking him to devote his time to something he doesent want to do. Time with family between deployments and training cycles should be a peacful time for the servicemember. He busts his ass and the last thing he wants is problems when he comes home. Damn I'm rambleing but be advised that I am not a doctor and I am not qualified to speak on these matters. I just know alot of combat vets in combat arms jobs. Most people who have PTSD will refuse to admit to it and most people who admit to it are lieing after they get out for some quick VA money. What does this mean? No one knows how to treat PTSD. But then again, I'm not a doctor.
