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Going straight from the battlefield to civilian life can certainly be a jarring experience for active duty troops, and the transition is often difficult. In an effort to make the process go a bit more smoothly, the Air Force Deployment Transition Center at Ramstein Air Base in Germany gives returning servicemembers the opportunity to decompress before heading back to the states, Stars and Stripes reports.

The center is the only one like it offered by the Department of Defense, and has so far helped an estimated 6,000 troops make the transition from combat. Airmen first began taking part in the program more than three years ago it has seen considerable success. Attendees are asked to share their experiences and are also given the opportunity to travel to Trier or Heidelberg to ease the transition back to crowded cities, something that can be difficult for servicemember battling post-traumatic stress disorder. 

"We will continue to support returning airmen … as long as we have a need to do so," Lt. Col. Robert Rossi, the center's commander, told the news source. 

Although there are no centers quite like the one at Ramstein Air Base, servicemember do have some resources available once they enter the U.S. The Transition Assistance Program, for instance, provides counseling and can help troops find employment opportunities.