I recently received an honorable discharge from the military after 12 years of service and felt that as I would no longer be using firearms in my work place, I felt I should have at least one for home defense. In the last few months I have bought a few different firearms, and have open carried in a few places as well. I think it's awesome the welcome reception other gun enthusiasts have shown me, and what a great feeling of belonging with everyone I encounter at the range. Are there any local Hampton Roads clubs? I'm not a hunter, but I do enjoy using various types of firearms at the range.
Justine, one really great thing about military training is that you become familiar with carbine rifles and semi-auto handguns. From then on you will be comfortable with these for the rest of your life.
It is indeed true that everyone who is trained and familiar with firearms should own and possess at least one at home. Most people opt for a semi-auto pistol, which is good news, since the recent US Supreme Court decision in Heller affirms the right to keep and bear a popular firearm in the home as a premise for legal interpretation of the 2nd Amendment, according to Scalia, in his own words.
http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/07pdf/07-290.pdf
During my own tour of duty, my duty weapon was the Springfield 45ACP, and that is the firearm I love the most now. It is my best friend, at home, when hiking, camping, and anytime I need it.
Not everyone hunts, and not all former-military become hunters, although if you served in the combat arms (infantry, tanks, artillery, special warfare) then you were a hunter, hunting other soldiers.
Hunting wily animals is actually more challenging than hunting other solders. Other soldiers are normally undiciplined and their smoking and chatting habits give away their positions very easily. Animals do not make these mistakes, although they have other habits and requirements that make it possible to hunt them in one way or another.
The hunting firearm of choice is normally the 1903 Springfield-esque bolt action scoped rifle. It possesses the long range accuracy and power for a killing shot on any animal, from the biggest bears (grizzlies and polar) to the biggest ungulates (moose, caribou, and elk).
Killing is something that everyone does anytime they go to a grocery store and buy meat, or to a burger barn or chicken hut. It's just that with hunting the killing is up close and personal, with gutting and butchering at the same time. I love hunting.
I love my 45ACP and my .300 Remington Ultra Magnum rifle as well. I also have a pump action shotgun, in case I ever need to deal with a riot in my neighborhood, as well.
Good luck to you, as a new firearms owner, and keep up your training. There are classes you can take by NRA instructors at most ranges that are very worthwhile. You will find that as a veteran you will get along best with other veterans. So try to find an instructor who is also a vet as well. Your closest friends at work and at play will also be vets. That's just the way it works. Likes attract each other and get along best.
Dont be too surprised if it takes a long time to shed some of your military ways. Some habits never leave you. Others take a really long time, like 20 or 30 years.
