What habits (good OR bad) have you kept after leaving the military?

To answer the title question: most all of the things listed above. And a few more. And this 45 years after EAOS.

Amended: I don't drink like I used to; I don't field strip my butts (I quit smoking); my cursing is (sometimes) controlled; I no longer shine my shoes as often (except dress shoes).
 
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Crazy Carl said:
Definitely this. Zero tolerance for bullshit, either.

I still fold my drawers & meticulously fold & hang everything else. When we travel, I have to pack the missus' suitcase since I can fold & pack everything so neatly, it comes out wrinkle free.

I won't enter the woods without clean, dry socks, drawers & shit tickets in ziplock bags in my day pack.

I can't speak without swearing & can still drink about anyone who was never a paratrooper under the table.

Past that, I think I escaped relatively unscathed ;)
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Uhhhhh....

Funny, I picked up on @thrillhill and i walking in the woods even with his gigantor strides that I'd have to conform to his step, or the OCD would take over. Squirrel hunting in dry leaves was when I'd notice it the most.
 
MostWanted said:
That straightforwardness, intolerance for BS, sometimes confrontational demeanor got me in trouble a few times when I got out.
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Sounds like me.

When people skirt around a question or lie, BS me, or get all emo when they get called out for doing said things or not using reasoning in the most basic of forms.... straight up infuriates me. Those things make a bad situation worse.

That and of course gig line.
 
I was a E6 on the fast track but my Father had a stroke and my Mother could not take care of him.

Well worth it.

Look at the big picture before deciding.
 
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MostWanted said:
That straightforwardness, intolerance for BS, sometimes confrontational demeanor got me in trouble a few times when I got out.
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It still does. It's amusing to see those with no military service see us get together. They think we are going to kill each other with kind, gentile delivery we address others with. If they only realized that's the friendly side of our personalities.

I have a close friend who retired a Bosun (sp) from the submarine service and my wife was ready to hide the first time I saw him out in town. We tend to be rather impolite. Like brothers - don't get between us!

Stupid squid!
 
Derek8404 said:
What else are you doing in the shower to take that long? 8 mins is a very long shower.
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I like taking a long shower because I went a lot of time either using baby wipes in the field or not being able to shower due to the absence of one

Same with eating slowly. I intentionally don’t eat quickly after having to gorge myself in 60 seconds or starve.


Let’s see....cursing? Good or bad I guess it depends on who hears it. It’s a habit regardless

A lot of specific phrases I still use. I write the date a certain way like today is “21 NOV 2019”.

I also clip (or burn with a lighter) threads poking out of new clothes

I write my blood type on things (like range equipment Etc)

Plenty of other things also
 
1. Short Hair
2. Short showers
3. Clean the heck out of all weapons
4. Still drink (but not as much)
5. Quit smoking the day I retired (1991)
6. Always on time
 
@Crazy Carl ; I know,right? Recruiting videos are great:

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MostWanted said:
That straightforwardness, intolerance for BS, sometimes confrontational demeanor got me in trouble a few times when I got out.
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It's still getting me in trouble at work, so many snowflakes these days...

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SSgt75 said:
Uncovering as soon as I pass through the hatch. Drives me crazy to go into a restaurant and see grown men sitting there with their caps on.

I'm sure there are other habits I've carried over, but since they are now ingrained in what I do I can't really separate them out from mil service.
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I'd like to hear your reasoning behind this...

In the Coast Guard, I was told that we never wear a cover on the mess deck because in the history of naval battles, during a mass casualty event, the wounded would have been laid on the tables for surgery. And, many sailors had died in that way, so a mess deck on a ship was a place you always respect and remove your hat... I get that.

But nobody died from wounds sustained in battle on a table at the local Denny's.

In a restaurant, I take off my hat to pray, but then it goes right back on.
 
Alabamacoastie said:
I'd like to hear your reasoning behind this...

In the Coast Guard, I was told that we never wear a cover on the mess deck because in the history of naval battles, during a mass casualty event, the wounded would have been laid on the tables for surgery. And, many sailors had died in that way, so a mess deck on a ship was a place you always respect and remove your hat... I get that.

But nobody died from wounds sustained in battle on a table at the local Denny's.

In a restaurant, I take off my hat to pray, but then it goes right back on.
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I guess it's a Marine thing. we were taught in boot camp (PISC) to uncover indoors and that meant as soon as you passed through the hatch. We had a DI who would stand at the doorway of the squadbay as we came in from "outside activities" and had a swagger stick in hand to remove head covers if they weren't off when we got to him. Quit a few recruits "accidentally" banged their heads on the hatch as they entered.
That, plus I'm "old school" who was raised during the time that gentlemen all wore hats. Hats were removed indoors and also tipped to respect a lady in their presence. Lots of old common courtesies that have disappeared.
 
I agree that many common courtesies have disappeared and it makes me sad.

I'm 37 and I've noticed that most men younger than myself don't even shake hands. And the ones that try, usually limp wrist it and look at their shoes instead of looking me in the eye.

But, it is what it is...
 
Alabamacoastie said:
I'd like to hear your reasoning behind this...

In the Coast Guard, I was told that we never wear a cover on the mess deck because in the history of naval battles, during a mass casualty event, the wounded would have been laid on the tables for surgery. And, many sailors had died in that way, so a mess deck on a ship was a place you always respect and remove your hat... I get that.

But nobody died from wounds sustained in battle on a table at the local Denny's.

In a restaurant, I take off my hat to pray, but then it goes right back on.
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Definitely a Jarhead thing!

He was brought up that he would be "in the corner" for extended time if he did not!
 
SSgt75 said:
I guess it's a Marine thing. we were taught in boot camp (PISC) to uncover indoors and that meant as soon as you passed through the hatch. We had a DI who would stand at the doorway of the squadbay as we came in from "outside activities" and had a swagger stick in hand to remove head covers if they weren't off when we got to him. Quit a few recruits "accidentally" banged their heads on the hatch as they entered.
That, plus I'm "old school" who was raised during the time that gentlemen all wore hats. Hats were removed indoors and also tipped to respect a lady in their presence. Lots of old common courtesies that have disappeared.
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Yep, I was raised this way, no exception ! And, Marine here too !
 
Ben Jefferson said:
You guys are reminding me of more shit I still do and hadn't even realised!

I've been retired almost 25 years so I figgered I would've gotten out of the habits.
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Yep! I never come home the same way I left! Drives my wife insane!
Still cut my hair the same
Still iron and starch all my own clothes!
Roll my underwear and socks
Still pack for a trip like a Combat op! First in the vehicle is my rifle case with ammo, then my harness bag with ammo and vest with plates and IFAC, then my SHTF bag with ammo and an ammo bag with whatever calibers I’m carrying, then suitcases and rucksack if there’s room.
On a trip or just around town, I look at my surroundings and keep situational awareness. You know, just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean that they aren’t out to get you!
Always keep vehicle on a full tank
My shop and den is immaculate!
Still lead off with my left foot!
I walk faster than “normal” people and keep my military bearing.
I don’t handle Bull Shit well!
I’m still a take charge kind of a guy. In the absence of a plan, charge the machine gun!
I still wear my bud/acu/ OCP bottoms and boots with either a black t shirt or a polo shirt most of the time as they fit me better and I can’t stand jeans anymore.
I couldn’t be the “Grey Man” if I tried!
 
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Hammer21b said:
Yep! I never come home the same way I left! Drives my wife insane!

On a trip or just around town, I look at my surroundings and keep situational awareness. You know, just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean that they aren’t out to get you!
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It's not "paranoid". it's "prepared".
Friend of mine, cop forever, didn't take the time to toss his G27 ( which he carried on the job for years, and was authorized off-duty carry) in his belt one night. He and the wife got accosted by a pack of wolves in a parking garage. He was already down and bad things were about to happen to his wife, when another car thankfully picked that exact moment to pull into their row and park. The wolves ran off. It's bothered him for years that he failed to prepare that night.
 
All of the above - and especially gig lines and irish pennants. I take the dog out for walks 2-3 times per day, and treat it like roving sentry duty. I've been known to hit unfamiliar cars parked on the street with the brightest setting on my Fenix PD32 and one hand on the pistol under my jacket. If there's anyone in the car, they're gone in a flash.
 
xtp308 said:
It's not "paranoid". it's "prepared".
Friend of mine, cop forever, didn't take the time to toss his G27 ( which he carried on the job for years, and was authorized off-duty carry) in his belt one night. He and the wife got accosted by a pack of wolves in a parking garage. He was already down and bad things were about to happen to his wife, when another car thankfully picked that exact moment to pull into their row and park. The wolves ran off. It's bothered him for years that he failed to prepare that night.
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I’ve only had to draw my weapon a couple times while in civilian clothes. After my last deployment, I couldn’t sleep as i was still on Afghanistan time. I would drive to Walmart across town to just walk off some of the edge of the day. It was about 0200 in the morning and as I was leaving, 3 thugs were sitting on the hood of a car and made a snide remark about my combat boots. I kept walking as they slide off the car. I stopped and drew my coat back and palmed my M9 Beretta and they hustled back to their hood and left me alone. I’m not taking an ass whipping from anybody much less several anybodies in the middle of the night while minding my own business.
 
I show up 2 minutes early and leave 2 minutes later. You only get a 4 minute window. Still eat fast, quick showers and always scanning. Walk fast with a purpose and determination, keep situational awareness. Always backwards planning and with PACE. Preform maintenance of equipment coming back in from hunting, fishing, camping etc before anything else.

CD
 
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SSgt75 said:
Uncovering as soon as I pass through the hatch. Drives me crazy to go into a restaurant and see grown men sitting there with their caps on.

I'm sure there are other habits I've carried over, but since they are now ingrained in what I do I can't really separate them out from mil service.
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This isn't even military, this is a southern thing so you don't get switched by your mammy.
 
Based on having met a few of you and seen pictures of others I suspect that many of you have maintained your habit of eating as if you might need to carry a 60lb pack for 20 miles later in the day. If you look down about a foot below your chin and just above where you used to see your penis you might notice that it’s been a while since that actually happened.
 
JimB said:
Based on having met a few of you and seen pictures of others I suspect that many of you have maintained your habit of eating as if you might need to carry a 60lb pack for 20 miles later in the day. If you look down about a foot below your chin and just above where you used to see your penis you might notice that it’s been a while since that actually happened.
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Ouch. That's pretty rude.

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JimB said:
Based on having met a few of you and seen pictures of others I suspect that many of you have maintained your habit of eating as if you might need to carry a 60lb pack for 20 miles later in the day. If you look down about a foot below your chin and just above where you used to see your penis you might notice that it’s been a while since that actually happened.
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Coffee, smokes, and booze??? Hardly touch the stuff anymore
 
Most of the prior service members I know are in deep denial about the hazing they experienced while they were in. "It's not hazing, it's tradition!" Sure, if I punch you in the face once it's assault, but if I do it every day then it's tradition and I have to keep doing it.

It's not even that I object to mistreatment of junior enlisted, just be honest and call it what it is: hazing.
 
JimB said:
Based on having met a few of you and seen pictures of others I suspect that many of you have maintained your habit of eating as if you might need to carry a 60lb pack for 20 miles later in the day. If you look down about a foot below your chin and just above where you used to see your penis you might notice that it’s been a while since that actually happened.
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I can still look down and see my penis!

I just need to use my left hand to push in my stomach and my right hand to pull on my wiener while I'm looking down...

But, thanks for reminding me... I need to go get another beer... I might need to party like it's a port call later...
 
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