The aim of this research was to gain deeper understanding of how military personnel with a record of participation in international operations experience the interaction between daily uplifts, daily hassles, coping strategies and stress reactions over time. Interviews were conducted with 15 Norwegian veterans who were guests at the Norwegian Armed Forces Veteran Centre, who had served in different international military operations between 1978 and 2012. Using the grounded theory method, five time periods were identified showing evolving patterns. The theoretical model developed showed that over time, the veterans could be categorized in four sub-groups according to how their everyday lives were affected by daily uplifts, daily hassles and different coping strategies. The research identified several factors which immediately, and over time, can evolve in such a way they lead to stress reactions and PTSD. Mentionable factors are training and education of non-combatant personnel, lack of follow-up, the duality of pride and deprivation of cohesion after duty. Identifying these factors is important for future development of educational systems before deployment and for better follow-up systems afterwards.