Hello, I'm NOMAD from the video! First of all I'd like to thank Azeal for giving me this opportunity to bring my stories to everyone's attention and to offer me to meet this amazing community of people that I get to know in my life. I'd also like to thank everyone for your heartwarming comments: I was really anxious on how people would react to this video, but your kind words have encouraged me a lot! I hope people who go through similar struggles, military or not, to know that you're not alone and to always reach out to people.
Hey I just wanted to say thank you for being brave by sharing your experiences, for serving your country, and for giving us an insight into your culture. Personally, stories like yours are reasons why I want to become a therapist. I want to prevent the isolation that so many go through. Hearing this motivates me to do well in school so I can accomplish my dream. With that your video had such a positive impact on me and others. I hope this message from a stranger puts a smile on your face and I'm sending you the biggest electronic hug! 🫂 You matter so much.
Literally balling my eyes out. Especially at the end with the hug and saying "You did good." F*ck man. You did do good. And we're all so proud of you. Thank you, soldier.
Duuude..... i had the good fortune of meeting a Vietnamese veteran from South Vietnam. Its nightmare fuel listening to him i cant imagine what this dude went through that he isnt comfortable talking about. Respect good sir much love.
BTW when he says "ammo pp suits" he is saying MOPP (Mission Oriented Protective Posture) Suit or (at least here in the states) they're just called mop suits.
Hey Nomad, I don't know if you'll see this or not but I just wanted to say, one Sergeant to another I'm proud of you and respect everything you did and went through for your country!
@@Azeal, have you ever thoought of becoming a therapist, or are you currenntly one, i woul think that this is what therapy should be like, just helpful, someone listening to you can sometimes be the thing that can help the most.
man i went from smiling about the jokes he made, to crying my eyes out.. hearing him cry and hearing his voice cracking is so heartbreaking and i really wish i could just give him a hug and be there for him
I love the fact that this chanel exists. We can hear and listen to peoples experinces and learn about them. This channel truly is a miracle, they fuse both a popular media with humanity and stories that can be heard by thousands and millions of people. This is a way for someone to finally say what they needed to say or feel free in a way where it may be comfortable and where they will be heard. Not overloocked. All of these stories, all of these, experiences, all of these people, Players. They can have a platform where they can share their story, and we will listen. **People can share through a platform where they can express their hardships and pain.** Share Your Story. In any way.*
It honestly is amazing that they have a platform and the anonymity to be able to do this. They’re saying what they need to say and people hear what they need to hear. Doesn’t get much better than that
Was in the military. Didn't do anything special though. The DMZ can't hold forever. I really hope that the world gets better peacefully. I don't want to see young people die needlessly like other world events going on now.
Geez his story hit me pretty damn hard. I was stationed in Camp Humphrey in South Korea and I've heard those types of stories from katusas and from ROK soldiers as well, it was always heart breaking that sometimes they don't get that "thank you for your service" and stuff like that. Even their training exercises just seem so brutal. But I was just a coms guy but I would get attached to infantry battalions as well. Even the part where he was told his PTSD was just stress and normal, that same thing happened when the pan hit. I needed behavioral health care and the captain that was supposed to be my care provider had the virus so they had a civilian doctor come in and he said "it's just stress your fine, you strong American soldier" nope it was childhood PTSD that was hiding in my mind all these years by a narcissistic twin sister it's a long story. I hope he's doing alright. Stay strong man.
I'm sorry to hear that you had to experience something similar to mine, I felt that the general mental counseling in Korea is pretty conservative in a sense they wouldn't admit military service to be a factor of their mental disorder. I wish you all the best as well!
That story is heartbreaking to hear. Just to think how many more people have stories like that😔 thank you for sharing. I think I learned a lot from hearing it.
I hope the best for him! Recently they allowed soldiers to use their phones during the free time, so hopefully you can get in touch with him more often
Military men are needed to be able to give the privileged life we live Look at history no matter the how far we go back if there’s no military/army or a weak one you will get conquered and destroyed. Tell him you proud of him and love him sure he’s never heard thoes words if he an awful brother. Military men should be respected and thanked witch they are not anymore who’s else gonna fight the war because it will always happen
I had a Politics teacher give a lecture about North Korea pretty recently. He was talking about their Nuclear Weapons as well as how many promises they broke over the years. I asked later what he believes America could do to ensure that North Korea doesn't keep breaking promises. His response, to quote him, "Off the records, but in my editorial opinion, let them eat plutonium. Their people are already starving anyway."
@@Nicole-zf1rg He is referring to weapons grade plutonium, it’s used in thermonuclear warheads. The bomb that leveled Hiroshima carried a lot of uranium-235, another “weaker” material.
What a powerful story! If you’re reading these comments, I wanted to say, I think you were very brave. I don’t have experience with the Korean military but I understand that it must have been unbelievably stressful to serve so close to the enemy border. I struggle with PTSD too, and I understand the feeling of helplessness and sleepless nights all to well. But with enough time, you will begin to heal. I’ve seen that with my own experience. Thank you for sharing your story, and I wish the very best for you in the future.
oh damn... I know that serving in the military is tough, so this entire thing didn't really hit me... but that was until he broke down at the end, if I were a little more awake, I would have started crying too when he did. my heart goes to him and everyone else from his squad, no matter what type of experience they went thru as well... I feel for everyone. but mostly you Nomad, getting thru all that and being able to talk about it this quick, you got my respect and my deepest regards💜
Thank you! I was hesitant to bring this story up, since there's little to no video about mental traumas the people in Korean military members have, but I felt like it's something worth telling so that people who experience the similar struggle won't feel alone in this.
i feel so much for this man, i was laughing at first but when i heared that last story i just couldn't help but start crying. If he's reading the comments, i dont even begin to comprehend what you went through, but i hope you are better now, i wish i could hug you. i hope it helps somehow knowing you did a great job sharing your experience and delivering a message, even across the world where our cultures are severely different. Hugs and love from Argentina 💖💞
Aww thank you so much for your kind words! It's amazing to know how people around the world finds my story interesting, and share such heartwarming comments!
A lot of people when they think of South Korea only think of the kpop and k drama but rarely ever look at their military. You guys are one of the toughest in the world and you deserve all the respect and support in the world, and it's sad to see that you don't get it even from your fellow countrymen. Respect from Indonesia.
Of all that I've read of South Korea's military. They are some badass dudes that fight worth 5 men. I only hope they get better support at home than our veterans do right now.
seems this kind of VRchat's conversation allows those who experience emotional suppression to express it. and I think you really help that. I feel empathy for that type of person so I'm happy to see that someone is able to do like this.
MAN! These interviews are *SO* good. Maybe I just have a bias because I joined the USARMY solely out of desperation because of the Recession and got stuck at Camp Humphreys during the worst time of my life emotionally, but this takes me back to that time from 2008 until 2016, and hits a new kind of emotion. You illustrate a feeling that most non-military are aware even exists in the armed forces of any country, and that's boredom, frustration and redundancy. I can't get enough of these. Thank you so much for this. I hated the military, but damn do I miss my battle buddies.
Thank you for your service! I couldn't agree more on your take about the boredom and frustration while in the military. Since there's so little things going on other than training, people end up being really stressed or try to find fun in everything we do lol. While I don't plan on returning to the military, I do miss the times being there time to time!
in the military, i've talked to guys who have ptsd and never seen combat, it's a thing that happens... some people witness suicide, some people lost loved ones, some people have childhood trauma they're hiding... at the end of the day you just need to talk about it and just let it out, otherwise it will eat you from the inside. i hope you will feel better one day. thank you for your service
My guy, you had to be front and center to, even as you call him, your little brother nearly die of hypothermic shock. It doesn't matter if it was combat or not. If a traumatic event has occurred, PTSD is always possible. Traumatic could even be getting in a car accident at a young age. Those other men? Yeah, they're not fine. They're exactly like you until someone smart enough to see the symptoms told you the truth. They themselves don't want to admit it, but I guarantee others are the exact same way, they just haven't had to be told what their experience has actually done to them.
Thank you for mentioning that, when I met up with some of my buddies after we discharged, they also brought up some "aftermath" from the military as well which I never thought they'd have
Thank you for saying that! That's the way I try to think more recently, but it's still something I try to remind myself to be a better person as it wouldn't completely go away
Ex-USAF, did a year in Korea, as SOON as he said CBRN I audibly said "noooooo" in my empty living room. Those exercises were the worst part of military life, absolutely FUUUUCK doing that as a day job. Big respect to you, Nomad, thank you for doing what you do 💪
@@nomad821 thank you for yours as well. Our RoKAF colleagues were always quality people and Korea was a beautiful land. Would love to go to another KBO game some day.
To be serious though it's astoundingly how stories are kinda fun and all at the start and up to the middle, and then there's that part with the training which drastically changes mood
Thank you Nomad for telling your story, and thank you for your service 🧡 It's totally understandable to feel regret about not going back to continue that snowy mission. But I think it's good to remember that you were already struggling mentally for a long while, and there wasn't really much mental health support for you- and physically as well. Just because you weren't struggling just as much as the rookies doesn't mean that the cold wasn't tough on you, enough to make it mentally difficult to head back in. Plus, with you being injured, it's okay to take it easy and not push yourself too hard. You could always do the mission again after your knee healed. I think even if it was because you just weren't practiced at pushing through comfort or whatever level you were at, or circumstances just lined up against you, it was still the right thing for you to take care of yourself. I feel the situation you'd just been through may have just added to your need to rest, body and especially mind. So it may have also just been too much for you mentally to go back out as well, if you'd already been through enough to make it that difficult to go outside comfort. After all, you're trained to do that. Again, not as much help in the mental health care side of that. But it's still something you already had practice with. And as you know now, that situation Did give you PTSD. So, in my opinion, I think you really did probably need to rest.
Thank you for telling me this, I feel like I've recovered mentally a lot compared to when I was in this video! Having to look back at myself helped me reflect on many of my behaviors and state of mind I had at the time. It's really heartwarming to see comments like this, so again, thank you for your warm comment!
Shit I feel him as someone who lives in a country with mandatory military service and it doesn't matter if you're a soldier or a police officer, things will get to you from the training to the people around you and if you're not mentally prepared or if you are it will still get to you and you just have to learn to hide it or you will get flagged for it like he said so I hope you're doing well my dude and thank you for your service from a military discharge officer from another country props man
I laughed with you, I chuckled, I giggled, but I also sobbed, I whimpered, I broke down in hysterics towards the end feeling overwhelming amounts of empathy for you Nomad. You are a hero, while I can't ever comprehend the guilt you must feel. You saved that young man's life. I'm beyond proud of you, I hope in whatever you are doing now you are looking after yourself. Thank you for being a role model to many, thank you for your service. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you, Nomad. For everything.
I'm honestly surprised that I've only seen two heartbreaking videos end in a hug, this one and the son of a serial killer video. Don't know if other videos have em, only other heartbreaking one I watched was the juvie kid in isolation which didn't include a hug.
Nomad, having PTSD is hard, and know youre not alone. I'm currently trying to get an official diagnosis of it(with a 10 month waitlist, thanks america) and when my doctor told me that what i was experiencing was symptoms of PTSD, I cried because I finally had a word for it, and I could get resources for myself. What you did was amazing and I'm glad you can find comfort and help. Of course, I'm not saying what I went through was comparable to what you went through(I haven't served, lol) but I'm glad that you're able to tell your story. there is so much stigma about mental illness and I'm super happy and thankful that I was able to listen to your story. I wish you nothing but the best! :)
Hey cosmic! No! I completely understand that frustration and isolation you must've felt until things were "official", where you get to say and realize what you were feeling weren't just to yourself. I am happy to hear that you were able to get the diagnosis for it, and I want you to know that you're not alone!
@@Azeal technology is amazing aint it,also I love the way you tell people's stories by just sitting down and letting em vent they must really appreciate it.
I hope Nomad is doing a little better today than he was yesterday, trauma takes on many forms. There'll be days that are harder than others, it's all but certain, but if you keep being as open as Nomad here - people are willing to listen and support you. Thank you for sharing, Nomad.
I haven't been online much on vrchat and I haven't even seen Azeal much, but what he does amazes me every time. and to make us all aware of things that can be happening with a person and I want him to thank him for that
all the people you talk to are telling their stories and healing and crying with others and its just so beautiful. I cant imagine the validation they feel when they tell people something and they believe them without a single question. You're real, your story is real, I'm listening to you and I'm crying with you. You are not alone and your reactions are not abnormal. NOMAD, I'm not sure if you've heard of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. It's the base needs every human has. On the bottom, the foundation of everything a human needs to survive, is food, water, warmth, and rest. You were not selfish to want those things.
This goes to show how much emotional strain can do to a person. This guy has not fought in physical battles, but obviously in mental ones. And that leaves you with scars and PTSD too. Just not what‘s typically seems as traumatic. From what I‘ve heard seeing who he called their little brother almost die is definitely scarring and it‘s ok to not be able to go on like before after such an experience
Thr fact that that enjoying that little comfort in the aid tent upset you so much when your men were out in feild...is exactly what made you an excellent leader
I appreciate you for saying that, it's been more than a year since the video came out but coming back to see comments like this gives me energy to get through my day
12:00 this feels really strange for me too I work in the french military and we have the same thing about soldiers being invisible when off duty. It's actually prohibited to wear for example clothes that look like it could be military stuff. It feels really weird to see soldiers in america wearing camo when off duty and civilians saluting them.
Nice to see a fellow service member! Thank you for sharing your side of the story as I was interested in how military is portrayed in different countries :)
It's baffling to me that this kind of thing still happens despite there being no war. That there would be people to consider losing someone in your care or someone caring for you who is close to you as not something worth a PTSD diagnosis. Emotional ordeal can get to that point - war, physical violence, or not. I'm just glad he's out of there and getting help.
it takes a lot of guts to volunteer yourself to the military. it takes more guts to talk about the trauma's that you've experienced while serving. In the military they try to strip you of your humanity so that you can better perform your duties. but in the end we're all still human. I'm sure it was very difficult for him to let it all out like that. but I'm glad he did and i hope it helps remove some of that weight off his shoulders.
Thank you for sharing your story Nomad. I can't relate to your experiences, but I appreciate the courage it took for you to tell your story and I am honored I could listen.
My grandpa was a marine in Vietnam. He didn't have a problem with the people whatsoever. Never back then and never did on his last days. He was in a hospital in 2019. One day I asked him this: "What did you think of the people in Vietnam?". He said "They weren't nice people. They are now. But they didn't experience the war". That was the only question I ever asked him about. Passed away Jan 2020.
My thought and prayers go for him, a lot of people from our older generations weren't able to get the treatment and appreciation they deserve and I hope that gets improved over time.
Yes! I'm taking regular counseling now which helps me significantly and through this video, I am very grateful and happy that many people find my story enjoyable to watch!
I highly doubt you will see this but to nomad and others like you thank you and I am glad your able to get help as I said thank you not only for sharing but your service I can honestly not thank you enough.
This guy’s a real soldier. Volunteered to do his part, and when the tough times came, he got tough. A lot of people could learn from him. “A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thank you for praising me like that; I can't say that I'm a person for people to look up to, but it makes me happy when I know there are people that had moments to become better of themselves through meeting me
Bro... this was the most real thing I've ever heard on my life, it was not something about the superiors being so rude or very serious men, just a bunch of normal who are living a rough life, and some of them can't take it because its too much. That poor guy, as you said, even if you had stayed with him it wouldn't change a thing for him, but you thought it was the right thing to do but your body didn't let you. I'm really sorry for you, for all you experienced and lived in that time.
I really hope you know that I don’t think staying back with warm food and comfort was wrong of you. I’m very glad you rested, so I hope your guilt eases with time.
You did your job mate, we all make mistakes in our command. But you kept your men alive and stepped back when you were unsure of your ability to lead them. For that you have my respect and praise, and know that you are not alone in dealing with that kind of trauma.
I fully admire that Nomad was able to talk about how struggles. I admire the strength he has to cry in front of people, to be open and honest about his mental health, and to talk about an experience as difficult and rewarding yet traumatizing as being in the military. I wish you all the best, and I hope you get the help you need. And for what it's worth, this random internet person is proud of you.
@@nomad821 thank *you* for being brave enough to not only face war and the terrible things you've seen, but for also having enough strength to talk about it.
When he just looked over at Azeal offering a hug and he just...started to cry again. Thats my breaking point. You did enough NOMAD you did enough. Please please don't think less of yourself because of staying in the aid stations. Its not on you okay?
That happened too! while we waited for the rations to heat him up, a squad of us kept rubbing his body and covering him with our coat. While we were doing that, the NCOs told the rest of the company to check on each other to make sure no one else is passing out from the cold
@@Skibidibugs It would be an interesting experience if you get the chance to get stationed at the border! Nothing much happens and for most of the times it's just boring routine but it'll definitely be something you can tell others about once you discharge lol
Even though he didn’t go through combat or anything, one of his friends had a near-death experience, and after that he felt like he had ‘abandoned’ his friend by not rejoining him afterwards (for the record nomad, you didn’t abandon him). I’d say that would give a fair few people a PTSD response.
I appreciate you saying that, even to this day I still question myself whether I have PTSD or not, but my symptoms and my test results tell me that I do, and that's how I just go with it. Until I got an actual professional telling me that I do have PTSD, I always felt (and I still do) that I don't "deserve" such titles, as I am aware there are so many others that has gone through worse than I did. Now, the idea that everyone's traumas aren't weighted by comparing it with others helps me cope and prevent me from putting myself below others.
Great video, I cried toward the end. also side note, idk if you manually do the subtitles but 25:08 “water feed” doesn’t sound right lol, transcript and everything else is clean afaik 👍
The stuff Nomad went through reminds me of the western front in the first world war. It might just be that Armistice Day was last week, but I find myself thinking a lot about that war lately and the trauma our world went through, the scars it left, and the suffering it still causes to this day. Shellshock, PTSD, have been soldiers' grim companion for many generations. Thank you for your story, Nomad.
Hello, I'm NOMAD from the video! First of all I'd like to thank Azeal for giving me this opportunity to bring my stories to everyone's attention and to offer me to meet this amazing community of people that I get to know in my life.
I'd also like to thank everyone for your heartwarming comments: I was really anxious on how people would react to this video, but your kind words have encouraged me a lot! I hope people who go through similar struggles, military or not, to know that you're not alone and to always reach out to people.
Hey I just wanted to say thank you for being brave by sharing your experiences, for serving your country, and for giving us an insight into your culture. Personally, stories like yours are reasons why I want to become a therapist. I want to prevent the isolation that so many go through. Hearing this motivates me to do well in school so I can accomplish my dream.
With that your video had such a positive impact on me and others. I hope this message from a stranger puts a smile on your face and I'm sending you the biggest electronic hug! 🫂 You matter so much.
Keep pushing brother. It does get better. Many of my vet friends with combat experience can attest to that. Hang tough mate
hello nomad! i'm former uk Royal Air Force it is good to know that militaries are like this everywhere. hope you are good now man. great stories.
@@kaitr.8658 Thank you so much for your kind words! I wish you best of luck in your persuit of career!
@@herrikudo Thank you for your support!
No one is talking about how Azeal went up and hugged the guy at the end.
Honestly that was easily the most wholesome part of the video.
I know!
I nearly cried watching that but it was also really funny the hight differences were
That's the biggest part of this video for me too. "You did good, really good. I'm proud of you, and a lot of other people are too."
He probably really needed that hug. and no one really cares if you feel it, Its about support
It sucks when the hug isn't felt.
Literally balling my eyes out. Especially at the end with the hug and saying "You did good." F*ck man. You did do good. And we're all so proud of you. Thank you, soldier.
Thank you for saying that ;-; and thank you for watching the video!
that hug. only in vr.
It's amazing how warm a hug can be even in virtual reality.
Duuude..... i had the good fortune of meeting a Vietnamese veteran from South Vietnam. Its nightmare fuel listening to him i cant imagine what this dude went through that he isnt comfortable talking about. Respect good sir much love.
That’s why my grandpa never told his stories. Even though he was a Major in the ARVN, he saw some shit.
Thank you for your kind words!
@@nomad821 of course man anytime!
My grandpa was an Vietnamese war veteran on the Vietnam war but he never told me any stories
@@Taishisama same for mine. He was a Major in the ARVN.
BTW when he says "ammo pp suits" he is saying MOPP (Mission Oriented Protective Posture) Suit or (at least here in the states) they're just called mop suits.
I tried looking up what it was and I couldn’t find it, so I just put exactly what I heard, sorry about that!
Thanks for the clarification, myself and vivid do occasionally miss stuff so I'm glad someone caught it :)
Ammo penis suits?
Yeah, it happens the transcripts for RUclips don't do too well with certain accents or slang and tend to get what's said wrong too with CC.
I just scrolled down to see if anyone else noticed that. I think NBC training is something everyone remembers.
Hey Nomad, I don't know if you'll see this or not but I just wanted to say, one Sergeant to another I'm proud of you and respect everything you did and went through for your country!
thank you for the same :)
Thank you so much for your appreciation, and thank you for your service!
@@Azeal, have you ever thoought of becoming a therapist, or are you currenntly one, i woul think that this is what therapy should be like, just helpful, someone listening to you can sometimes be the thing that can help the most.
man i went from smiling about the jokes he made, to crying my eyes out.. hearing him cry and hearing his voice cracking is so heartbreaking and i really wish i could just give him a hug and be there for him
Thank you for enjoying this story!
@@nomad821 thank you too for sharing this story with us! i love you bro and i wish you all the best
I love the fact that this chanel exists. We can hear and listen to peoples experinces and learn about them. This channel truly is a miracle, they fuse both a popular media with humanity and stories that can be heard by thousands and millions of people. This is a way for someone to finally say what they needed to say or feel free in a way where it may be comfortable and where they will be heard. Not overloocked. All of these stories, all of these, experiences, all of these people, Players. They can have a platform where they can share their story, and we will listen.
**People can share through a platform where they can express their hardships and pain.**
Share Your Story. In any way.*
It honestly is amazing that they have a platform and the anonymity to be able to do this. They’re saying what they need to say and people hear what they need to hear. Doesn’t get much better than that
Was in the military. Didn't do anything special though. The DMZ can't hold forever. I really hope that the world gets better peacefully. I don't want to see young people die needlessly like other world events going on now.
Geez his story hit me pretty damn hard. I was stationed in Camp Humphrey in South Korea and I've heard those types of stories from katusas and from ROK soldiers as well, it was always heart breaking that sometimes they don't get that "thank you for your service" and stuff like that. Even their training exercises just seem so brutal. But I was just a coms guy but I would get attached to infantry battalions as well. Even the part where he was told his PTSD was just stress and normal, that same thing happened when the pan hit. I needed behavioral health care and the captain that was supposed to be my care provider had the virus so they had a civilian doctor come in and he said "it's just stress your fine, you strong American soldier" nope it was childhood PTSD that was hiding in my mind all these years by a narcissistic twin sister it's a long story. I hope he's doing alright. Stay strong man.
I'm sorry to hear that you had to experience something similar to mine, I felt that the general mental counseling in Korea is pretty conservative in a sense they wouldn't admit military service to be a factor of their mental disorder. I wish you all the best as well!
wow these 30 mins felt like 10 seconds i think its because you meet so many ppl with great stories like this one
yeah the stories r amazing
The mre solution for hypo was clutch.
I know right! He's a total legend
That story is heartbreaking to hear. Just to think how many more people have stories like that😔 thank you for sharing. I think I learned a lot from hearing it.
I am Korean, my brother is going to the military soon. Even though he's an awful brother I hope he's okay
I hope the best for him! Recently they allowed soldiers to use their phones during the free time, so hopefully you can get in touch with him more often
@@nomad821 Thanks
Military men are needed to be able to give the privileged life we live Look at history no matter the how far we go back if there’s no military/army or a weak one you will get conquered and destroyed. Tell him you proud of him and love him sure he’s never heard thoes words if he an awful brother. Military men should be respected and thanked witch they are not anymore who’s else gonna fight the war because it will always happen
I had a Politics teacher give a lecture about North Korea pretty recently. He was talking about their Nuclear Weapons as well as how many promises they broke over the years. I asked later what he believes America could do to ensure that North Korea doesn't keep breaking promises. His response, to quote him,
"Off the records, but in my editorial opinion, let them eat plutonium. Their people are already starving anyway."
Tough truth.
I’m sorry, but what is plutonium?😭
@@Nicole-zf1rg He is referring to weapons grade plutonium, it’s used in thermonuclear warheads. The bomb that leveled Hiroshima carried a lot of uranium-235, another “weaker” material.
You should tell that "teacher" about mutually assured destruction
tbh, replace North Korea's current leadership and you'll have a better time with things.
What a powerful story! If you’re reading these comments, I wanted to say, I think you were very brave. I don’t have experience with the Korean military but I understand that it must have been unbelievably stressful to serve so close to the enemy border. I struggle with PTSD too, and I understand the feeling of helplessness and sleepless nights all to well. But with enough time, you will begin to heal. I’ve seen that with my own experience. Thank you for sharing your story, and I wish the very best for you in the future.
Thank you for sharing your expereience and your kind words!
oh damn...
I know that serving in the military is tough, so this entire thing didn't really hit me...
but that was until he broke down at the end, if I were a little more awake, I would have started crying too when he did.
my heart goes to him and everyone else from his squad, no matter what type of experience they went thru as well... I feel for everyone.
but mostly you Nomad, getting thru all that and being able to talk about it this quick, you got my respect and my deepest regards💜
Thank you! I was hesitant to bring this story up, since there's little to no video about mental traumas the people in Korean military members have, but I felt like it's something worth telling so that people who experience the similar struggle won't feel alone in this.
i feel so much for this man, i was laughing at first but when i heared that last story i just couldn't help but start crying. If he's reading the comments, i dont even begin to comprehend what you went through, but i hope you are better now, i wish i could hug you.
i hope it helps somehow knowing you did a great job sharing your experience and delivering a message, even across the world where our cultures are severely different.
Hugs and love from Argentina 💖💞
Aww thank you so much for your kind words! It's amazing to know how people around the world finds my story interesting, and share such heartwarming comments!
A lot of people when they think of South Korea only think of the kpop and k drama but rarely ever look at their military. You guys are one of the toughest in the world and you deserve all the respect and support in the world, and it's sad to see that you don't get it even from your fellow countrymen. Respect from Indonesia.
Thanks for saying that! It's crazy how many kind words I get from ppl around the world~
Of all that I've read of South Korea's military. They are some badass dudes that fight worth 5 men. I only hope they get better support at home than our veterans do right now.
This man should be properly labeled as "South Korean Soldier Chad" cause he just casually sprints up a mountain while his squad can barely manage.
that reach for a hug was just so heart warming
seems this kind of VRchat's conversation allows those who experience emotional suppression to express it. and I think you really help that.
I feel empathy for that type of person so I'm happy to see that someone is able to do like this.
MAN! These interviews are *SO* good. Maybe I just have a bias because I joined the USARMY solely out of desperation because of the Recession and got stuck at Camp Humphreys during the worst time of my life emotionally, but this takes me back to that time from 2008 until 2016, and hits a new kind of emotion.
You illustrate a feeling that most non-military are aware even exists in the armed forces of any country, and that's boredom, frustration and redundancy. I can't get enough of these. Thank you so much for this. I hated the military, but damn do I miss my battle buddies.
Thank you for your service! I couldn't agree more on your take about the boredom and frustration while in the military. Since there's so little things going on other than training, people end up being really stressed or try to find fun in everything we do lol. While I don't plan on returning to the military, I do miss the times being there time to time!
my support to everyone who has to put up with this kind of stuff. i cant even imagine.
This is rough, getting ptsd practically from serving at training capacity and seeing colleague almost freeze to death. :(
I hope he gets better.
Thank you for your concerns, I'm doing much better now!
Thank you for sharing these stories with more people!
I'm so thankful for the opportunity to do so :)
dude that hug at the end was so heartwarming and you could tell that nomad felt comfort from it
I've talked to Nomad thanks to you, and I was so surprised just seeing the amount of perspective the guy had. Glad to have met him through you
Hey Flan! It's good to see you here! Thanks for stopping by and watching this video!
in the military, i've talked to guys who have ptsd and never seen combat, it's a thing that happens... some people witness suicide, some people lost loved ones, some people have childhood trauma they're hiding... at the end of the day you just need to talk about it and just let it out, otherwise it will eat you from the inside. i hope you will feel better one day. thank you for your service
Thank you! I agree with you about how it's like a boiling kettle, you gotta let it out sometimes otherwise it will overflow
My guy, you had to be front and center to, even as you call him, your little brother nearly die of hypothermic shock. It doesn't matter if it was combat or not. If a traumatic event has occurred, PTSD is always possible. Traumatic could even be getting in a car accident at a young age.
Those other men? Yeah, they're not fine. They're exactly like you until someone smart enough to see the symptoms told you the truth. They themselves don't want to admit it, but I guarantee others are the exact same way, they just haven't had to be told what their experience has actually done to them.
Thank you for mentioning that, when I met up with some of my buddies after we discharged, they also brought up some "aftermath" from the military as well which I never thought they'd have
everyone would have done the exact same and would be selfish, dont blame urself for that, u did the best u could
Thank you for saying that! That's the way I try to think more recently, but it's still something I try to remind myself to be a better person as it wouldn't completely go away
Ex-USAF, did a year in Korea, as SOON as he said CBRN I audibly said "noooooo" in my empty living room. Those exercises were the worst part of military life, absolutely FUUUUCK doing that as a day job. Big respect to you, Nomad, thank you for doing what you do 💪
Thank you for your service! Thank you for enjoying my story and my respect goes for you as well!
@@nomad821 thank you for yours as well. Our RoKAF colleagues were always quality people and Korea was a beautiful land. Would love to go to another KBO game some day.
That hug at the end, i think he really needed that and it will stick with him for some time. Another good video.
I think we all need a hug sometimes ❤ just a powerful sense of reassurance and compassion from a stranger is so wholesome and human.
so true :)
To be serious though it's astoundingly how stories are kinda fun and all at the start and up to the middle, and then there's that part with the training which drastically changes mood
Just like the Full Metal Jacket
Thank you Nomad for telling your story, and thank you for your service 🧡 It's totally understandable to feel regret about not going back to continue that snowy mission. But I think it's good to remember that you were already struggling mentally for a long while, and there wasn't really much mental health support for you- and physically as well. Just because you weren't struggling just as much as the rookies doesn't mean that the cold wasn't tough on you, enough to make it mentally difficult to head back in. Plus, with you being injured, it's okay to take it easy and not push yourself too hard. You could always do the mission again after your knee healed. I think even if it was because you just weren't practiced at pushing through comfort or whatever level you were at, or circumstances just lined up against you, it was still the right thing for you to take care of yourself. I feel the situation you'd just been through may have just added to your need to rest, body and especially mind. So it may have also just been too much for you mentally to go back out as well, if you'd already been through enough to make it that difficult to go outside comfort. After all, you're trained to do that. Again, not as much help in the mental health care side of that. But it's still something you already had practice with. And as you know now, that situation Did give you PTSD. So, in my opinion, I think you really did probably need to rest.
Thank you for telling me this, I feel like I've recovered mentally a lot compared to when I was in this video! Having to look back at myself helped me reflect on many of my behaviors and state of mind I had at the time. It's really heartwarming to see comments like this, so again, thank you for your warm comment!
Shit I feel him as someone who lives in a country with mandatory military service and it doesn't matter if you're a soldier or a police officer, things will get to you from the training to the people around you and if you're not mentally prepared or if you are it will still get to you and you just have to learn to hide it or you will get flagged for it like he said so I hope you're doing well my dude and thank you for your service from a military discharge officer from another country props man
Thank you for your service! It's really cool to read comments of those who experience similar experience in another country :O
I laughed with you, I chuckled, I giggled, but I also sobbed, I whimpered, I broke down in hysterics towards the end feeling overwhelming amounts of empathy for you Nomad. You are a hero, while I can't ever comprehend the guilt you must feel. You saved that young man's life. I'm beyond proud of you, I hope in whatever you are doing now you are looking after yourself. Thank you for being a role model to many, thank you for your service. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you, Nomad. For everything.
Your replies gave me chills! Thank you for enjoying my story and I hope you have a great day :)
I'm honestly surprised that I've only seen two heartbreaking videos end in a hug, this one and the son of a serial killer video. Don't know if other videos have em, only other heartbreaking one I watched was the juvie kid in isolation which didn't include a hug.
Nomad, having PTSD is hard, and know youre not alone. I'm currently trying to get an official diagnosis of it(with a 10 month waitlist, thanks america) and when my doctor told me that what i was experiencing was symptoms of PTSD, I cried because I finally had a word for it, and I could get resources for myself. What you did was amazing and I'm glad you can find comfort and help.
Of course, I'm not saying what I went through was comparable to what you went through(I haven't served, lol) but I'm glad that you're able to tell your story. there is so much stigma about mental illness and I'm super happy and thankful that I was able to listen to your story.
I wish you nothing but the best! :)
Hey cosmic! No! I completely understand that frustration and isolation you must've felt until things were "official", where you get to say and realize what you were feeling weren't just to yourself. I am happy to hear that you were able to get the diagnosis for it, and I want you to know that you're not alone!
I've watched so many of your videos I can tell by there voice when a dark time in there life is coming up or when a happy time is coming up
it's amazing how people can see social queues like that, even in a vr avatar :)
@@Azeal technology is amazing aint it,also I love the way you tell people's stories by just sitting down and letting em vent they must really appreciate it.
He just said: One guy severed his own leg off with a saw and put it on an officers desk asking to go home...
that was terrifying, but a few toes would have been fine too
that soldier... HES FORKLIFT VERIFIED
Hi Azeal, please never stop doing this. The world needs people like you
I cried at the end , I’m happy he made it out even if he’s got some scars . I’m proud that he was able to tell his story
Thank you for saying that!
that hug at the fucking end tho- I'm not crying, my eyes are just sweating.
I hope Nomad is doing a little better today than he was yesterday, trauma takes on many forms. There'll be days that are harder than others, it's all but certain, but if you keep being as open as Nomad here - people are willing to listen and support you. Thank you for sharing, Nomad.
Thank you for your kind words~!
whenever people cry in these videos i want to give them a big hug
Azeal, you were too wholesome at the end
I haven't been online much on vrchat and I haven't even seen Azeal much, but what he does amazes me every time. and to make us all aware of things that can be happening with a person and I want him to thank him for that
Please keep this series going! I’m addicted! I’d love to share my story as well.
all the people you talk to are telling their stories and healing and crying with others and its just so beautiful. I cant imagine the validation they feel when they tell people something and they believe them without a single question. You're real, your story is real, I'm listening to you and I'm crying with you. You are not alone and your reactions are not abnormal. NOMAD, I'm not sure if you've heard of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. It's the base needs every human has. On the bottom, the foundation of everything a human needs to survive, is food, water, warmth, and rest. You were not selfish to want those things.
Thank you for saying that, I really appreciate your words of comfort!
This story really opens your eyes, say thanks to him for me.
Thank you for listening to the story!
This was amazing, thanks for talking about this!
Thank you for watching!
THE HUG AT THE END!!!
stories like these are so fucking good to listen to...
Thank you for liking the story!
@@nomad821 no worries homie! You take care of yourself!
My teacher was telling a story and she said thank you to a Vietnamese veteran and he said that was the first time he was ever thanked for his service.
Honestly the first time I was thanked for my service was also in America, which gave me a really weird feeling lol
This goes to show how much emotional strain can do to a person. This guy has not fought in physical battles, but obviously in mental ones. And that leaves you with scars and PTSD too. Just not what‘s typically seems as traumatic. From what I‘ve heard seeing who he called their little brother almost die is definitely scarring and it‘s ok to not be able to go on like before after such an experience
14:07 I know you serve in a completely different country from me but thank you for your service
Also thanks for saying that! Thank you for watching the video!
Thr fact that that enjoying that little comfort in the aid tent upset you so much when your men were out in feild...is exactly what made you an excellent leader
I appreciate you for saying that, it's been more than a year since the video came out but coming back to see comments like this gives me energy to get through my day
Love the long form videos.
12:00 this feels really strange for me too
I work in the french military and we have the same thing about soldiers being invisible when off duty. It's actually prohibited to wear for example clothes that look like it could be military stuff. It feels really weird to see soldiers in america wearing camo when off duty and civilians saluting them.
Nice to see a fellow service member! Thank you for sharing your side of the story as I was interested in how military is portrayed in different countries :)
It's baffling to me that this kind of thing still happens despite there being no war. That there would be people to consider losing someone in your care or someone caring for you who is close to you as not something worth a PTSD diagnosis. Emotional ordeal can get to that point - war, physical violence, or not. I'm just glad he's out of there and getting help.
Man got to hug another little brother at the end of this video.
it takes a lot of guts to volunteer yourself to the military. it takes more guts to talk about the trauma's that you've experienced while serving. In the military they try to strip you of your humanity so that you can better perform your duties. but in the end we're all still human. I'm sure it was very difficult for him to let it all out like that. but I'm glad he did and i hope it helps remove some of that weight off his shoulders.
The hug at the end amplified the love by like 20x
That hug was so needed and appreciated.
Thank you for sharing your story Nomad. I can't relate to your experiences, but I appreciate the courage it took for you to tell your story and I am honored I could listen.
You don't need to relate to the story! I appreciate your interest and your kind words!
My grandpa was a marine in Vietnam. He didn't have a problem with the people whatsoever. Never back then and never did on his last days. He was in a hospital in 2019. One day I asked him this: "What did you think of the people in Vietnam?". He said "They weren't nice people. They are now. But they didn't experience the war". That was the only question I ever asked him about. Passed away Jan 2020.
My thought and prayers go for him, a lot of people from our older generations weren't able to get the treatment and appreciation they deserve and I hope that gets improved over time.
That hug as the end was so needed. Hope he keeps working on himself ❤️
Yes! I'm taking regular counseling now which helps me significantly and through this video, I am very grateful and happy that many people find my story enjoyable to watch!
I highly doubt you will see this but to nomad and others like you thank you and I am glad your able to get help as I said thank you not only for sharing but your service I can honestly not thank you enough.
aww thanks! I appreciate your gratitude~
This guy’s a real soldier. Volunteered to do his part, and when the tough times came, he got tough. A lot of people could learn from him.
“A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thank you for praising me like that; I can't say that I'm a person for people to look up to, but it makes me happy when I know there are people that had moments to become better of themselves through meeting me
@@nomad821 For what it’s worth, I am certainly impressed with what you did. Thank you.
Bro... this was the most real thing I've ever heard on my life, it was not something about the superiors being so rude or very serious men, just a bunch of normal who are living a rough life, and some of them can't take it because its too much.
That poor guy, as you said, even if you had stayed with him it wouldn't change a thing for him, but you thought it was the right thing to do but your body didn't let you.
I'm really sorry for you, for all you experienced and lived in that time.
Thank you for watching the video, and your kind words!
@@nomad821 It's the best that I can do, thank you for sharing your story
The hug at the end. 😭😭😭
I have no idea how I found this channel but it's the best thing I've found on RUclips
I really hope you know that I don’t think staying back with warm food and comfort was wrong of you. I’m very glad you rested, so I hope your guilt eases with time.
Thank you for your kind words and worrying for me :)
If he goes missing the next day you know where to find him
You did your job mate, we all make mistakes in our command. But you kept your men alive and stepped back when you were unsure of your ability to lead them. For that you have my respect and praise, and know that you are not alone in dealing with that kind of trauma.
Thank you so much for saying that, I hope you have a great day and I hope you know that you've made my day feel better!
I fully admire that Nomad was able to talk about how struggles. I admire the strength he has to cry in front of people, to be open and honest about his mental health, and to talk about an experience as difficult and rewarding yet traumatizing as being in the military. I wish you all the best, and I hope you get the help you need. And for what it's worth, this random internet person is proud of you.
That's very kind of you to say that! Thank you for watching the video and I wish you all the best as well!
@@nomad821 thank *you* for being brave enough to not only face war and the terrible things you've seen, but for also having enough strength to talk about it.
I gotta say, props to whoever remembered the MRE heater packs
I think it was our platoon sergeant..? but I agree, it was genius at that moment... tho we weren't able to have our lunch that day >
He was probably a member of South Korean 3rd Infantry Division.
@NOMAD Thank You for your service man. Honestly one of the best stories I've heard, I wish you a long happy life. 💕
Thank you! I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed the story~ I wish you the same fortune as well!
20:39 Imagine your buddy walking in and saying this. I would be like: "No thanks, I choose life."
When he just looked over at Azeal offering a hug and he just...started to cry again. Thats my breaking point. You did enough NOMAD you did enough. Please please don't think less of yourself because of staying in the aid stations. Its not on you okay?
Thank you so much for your heartwarming comment~ I'm getting much better through counseling so don't worry!
You have the most interesting and insightful channel on youtube sir!
thank you!! :)
If I was him I would've said EVERYONE HUDDLE AROUND HIM because that's what penguins use to stay warm
That happened too! while we waited for the rations to heat him up, a squad of us kept rubbing his body and covering him with our coat. While we were doing that, the NCOs told the rest of the company to check on each other to make sure no one else is passing out from the cold
@@nomad821 omg wow I know this is not a good idea but I wanna get deployed to the DMZ even though I'm not a veteran
@@Skibidibugs It would be an interesting experience if you get the chance to get stationed at the border! Nothing much happens and for most of the times it's just boring routine but it'll definitely be something you can tell others about once you discharge lol
Even though he didn’t go through combat or anything, one of his friends had a near-death experience, and after that he felt like he had ‘abandoned’ his friend by not rejoining him afterwards (for the record nomad, you didn’t abandon him). I’d say that would give a fair few people a PTSD response.
I appreciate you saying that, even to this day I still question myself whether I have PTSD or not, but my symptoms and my test results tell me that I do, and that's how I just go with it. Until I got an actual professional telling me that I do have PTSD, I always felt (and I still do) that I don't "deserve" such titles, as I am aware there are so many others that has gone through worse than I did. Now, the idea that everyone's traumas aren't weighted by comparing it with others helps me cope and prevent me from putting myself below others.
Right after he talked about almost falling asleep from hypothermia I got an ad for an app that helps you sleep. RUclips is evil sometimes.
lolol RUclips knows what they're doing 👀
Been waiting for this one
I really hope that guy is okay after going into shock. Everyone needs a hug ;-;
using MREs heaters, thats actually genius, but i can understand the guilt of having a warm meal over being with a buddy
if I ever could go back to that moment, I would've made a different decision. Also thanks for watching the story!
@@nomad821 hindsight is 20/20, but even so, i hope youre doing better now, taking care of yourself and living the best you can
I almost fucking cried bro we're proud of you don't ever forget that
Thank you for saying that! I'm happy to get the chance to talk about it in the video and have so many people appreciating it
I just wanna hug this man😢❤️
Virtual hug received! Thank you for watching the video~
Great video, I cried toward the end.
also side note, idk if you manually do the subtitles but 25:08 “water feed” doesn’t sound right lol, transcript and everything else is clean afaik 👍
Thanks for enjoying the story!
@@nomad821 all i wanna say is, respect.
its 4:07 am for me i was about to go to sleep but i saw this vid in my notifs so i clicked it now im going to watch it
aww thank you! Make sure to get enough rest!
I’m getting all quiet on the western front vibes
NOMAD we Americans say thank you to our military personnel because, we’re a volunteer army
The stuff Nomad went through reminds me of the western front in the first world war. It might just be that Armistice Day was last week, but I find myself thinking a lot about that war lately and the trauma our world went through, the scars it left, and the suffering it still causes to this day. Shellshock, PTSD, have been soldiers' grim companion for many generations. Thank you for your story, Nomad.
Thank you so much for listening it through, I'm happy to know that my story is helping people widen their views!
Thanks so much for your story!
Thank you for enjoying it!
You done good boy,real good. Maybe even better than anyone ever has before.