Sebastian Junger: Why veterans miss war

Why veterans miss war

Civilians don't miss war. But soldiers often do. Journalist Sebastian Junger shares his experience embedded with American soldiers at Restrepo, an outpost in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley that saw heavy combat. Giving a look at the "altered state of mind" that comes with war, he shows how combat gives soldiers an intense experience of connection. In the end, could it actually be "the opposite of war" that soldiers miss? 

Many soldiers return from war and find themselves missing it, not because they crave violence, but because they long for the intense bonds formed in combat. In Afghanistan's Korengal Valley, men faced daily danger, yet what many missed most was the profound sense of brotherhood and mutual trust. Civilian life, by contrast, can feel isolating, as it rarely offers the same level of shared purpose and connection. Understanding this longing is crucial for helping veterans reintegrate and for building a society that fulfills those deep human needs.