Are you an Old Fart?

SSG Timothy McCoy — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 10:20:37 -0400

I never really liked the terminology "Old Farts" but this makes me feel better about it.
And if you aren't one, I'll bet you know one!
I got this from an "Old Fart" friend of mine!

I'm passing this on as I did not want to be the only 'old fart' receiving it. Actually, it's not a bad thing to be called, as you will see.

1) Old Farts are easy to spot at sporting events; during the playing of the National Anthem, Old Farts remove their caps and stand at attention and sing without embarrassment. They know the words and believe in them.
2) Old Farts remember World War II, Pearl Harbor , Guadalcanal , Normandy and Hitler. They remember the Atomic Age, the Korean War, The Cold War, the Jet Age and the Moon Landing. They remember the 50 plus Peacekeeping Missions from 1945 to 2005, not to mention Vietnam .
3) If you bump into an Old Fart on the sidewalk he will apologize. If you pass an Old Fart on the street, he will nod or tip his cap to a lady. Old Farts trust strangers and are polite, particularly to women.
4) Old Farts hold the door for the next person and always, when walking, make certain the lady is on the inside for protection.
5) Old Farts get embarrassed if someone curses in front of women and children and they don't like any filth or dirty language on TV or in movies.
6) Old Farts have moral courage and personal integrity. They seldom brag unless it's about their children or grandchildren.

It's the Old Farts who know our great country is protected, not by politicians, but by the young men and women in the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, serving their country.
This country needs Old Farts with their work ethic, sense of responsibility, pride in their country and decent values.
We need them now more than ever.
Thank Goodness for Old Farts! AMEN

I was taught to respect my elders. It is starting get harder to find them.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 21 at 2015 10:23 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 10:23:13 -0400

Apparently at 47 I am an old fart according to the definition!

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 21 at 2015 10:23 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 10:23:48 -0400

I prefer "Geezer Power"

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Jun 21 at 2015 10:28 AM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 10:28:12 -0400

For the most part, yes I am and I'm damn proud of it!

Response by SGT Mike Rudd made Jun 21 at 2015 10:30 AM

SGT Mike Rudd — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 10:30:21 -0400

I like this post it gives special meaning to old fart and did not realize or heard the story behind it thanks for sharing this I'm getting to be a old fart being a retired disabled vet my self

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 10:39 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 10:39:51 -0400

I like it! I'm a wannabe. I just don't have the age. Otherwise, I'm in!!

Response by SPC Stan Harrington made Jun 21 at 2015 10:49 AM

SPC Stan Harrington — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 10:49:11 -0400

I'm an "Old Fart" and runner up to "Geezer" at 69 and my body feels it too.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 11:30 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 11:30:41 -0400

I am only a 1/2 a gross. But, I am proud to say I fit much of the description. MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca We'll consider you an old fart in training.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 11:36 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 11:36:21 -0400

I am not an "old fart", but I must have been raised by one.
I do a number of those things because they seem to me the right thing to do.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 11:44 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 11:44:45 -0400

Well at 36 i'm nowhere near OLD FART status. I do some of the old things these old farts do. I look forward to eventually reaching this status.

Response by Cpl Kristoffer Mischel made Jun 21 at 2015 11:59 AM

Cpl Kristoffer Mischel — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 11:59:20 -0400

I think I am an "Old Fart" at heart. I can relate to most of the definition even though I am only coming up on my 30th birthday. I do have plenty of friends that are "Old Farts". My personality and way of doing things makes me relate to the more experienced people out there.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Jun 21 at 2015 12:08 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 12:08:39 -0400

Damn! Based on the description provided, I guess I am! :-) But then ...

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 21 at 2015 12:14 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 12:14:20 -0400

Yes, and it is also getting harder to find my elders; it seems like they used to be seen everywhere I looked. Maybe its my eyes going dim.

Response by SSG Eric Trace made Jun 21 at 2015 1:05 PM

SSG Eric Trace — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 13:05:35 -0400

I am assuredly an "Old Fart"

Response by Sgt Jay Jones made Jun 21 at 2015 1:36 PM

Sgt Jay Jones — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 13:36:57 -0400

And some of my farts are pretty old too! (LOL)

Response by SSG John Erny made Jun 21 at 2015 1:40 PM

SSG John Erny — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 13:40:03 -0400

I knew General Anne Dunwoody when she was a Major, does that make me old?

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jun 21 at 2015 1:42 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 13:42:41 -0400

While my farts are an often enough occurrence that most of them are new, I myself am an "Old Fart".

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jun 21 at 2015 2:12 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 14:12:19 -0400

I am an OLD Fart in my generation. I just didn't belong in this Army. I thank the OLD Farts for teaching me discipline. It was the sign of the times to move in life. I thank the OLD Farts as described in the thread to lead by example.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 21 at 2015 2:59 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 14:59:23 -0400

I'm 68 and identify with most off the characteristics. I was raised with the old values in a military family. Patriotic and unashamed to be. Yes, I am an old fart.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 3:31 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 15:31:45 -0400

I guess I am an old fart

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made Jun 21 at 2015 4:03 PM

SSG Paul Setterholm — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 16:03:25 -0400

I was an old guy at 37. I would run to the gym, workout, and run back to the barracks. The young kids would drive to the gym. One day this kid comes up to me and said,"you're in good shape for an old guy!" "Old guy? FU!"
Later that day some of my soldiers were talking about going to a concert that weekend. I told them I was going also. One of them said,"aren't you a little old to be going to that?" Wtf? That's twice in one day! Then I realized I had been in the Army 19 years and my soldiers were 19-22. Shit. I am the old guy.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jun 21 at 2015 4:38 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 16:38:59 -0400

'A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.' At some time in my life, the LT's kept getting younger. My physicals began to include people doing 'bad touch.' Doctor's started being concerned with me falling apart from the inside, more than from the outside. Conversations with peers often started with who recently died, what had been recently replaced in our bodies and discussing time off needed for future overhauls. The best places to eat were now based on acceptable levels of cholesterol and fiber content vs taste. Getting out of bed now sounded like eating a bowl of rice krispies (snap, crackle, pop) and often required comments. I prefer seasoned, old school, even crusty. One thing stands true....the older I get, the better I was.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 21 at 2015 4:40 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 16:40:22 -0400

SSG Timothy McCoy, I meet all the criteria, and my age qualifies me as well, but I'm really struggling with the title!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 21 at 2015 5:22 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 17:22:10 -0400

Well this is an interesting question. I was born in the 1950s and have been dealing with the Hershey squirts this afternoon. Based on this experience I think I have graduated well beyond being an old fart to actually producing something besides methane or whatever other gas humans emit. :-)
Since I am considered to have exposed to Bovine spongiform I think methane would be appropriate for the gas. :-)

Response by 1SG David Lopez made Jun 21 at 2015 5:34 PM

1SG David Lopez — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 17:34:12 -0400

Hell Yeah, and damn proud of it.

Response by SGT John Wesley made Jun 21 at 2015 9:18 PM

SGT John Wesley — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 21:18:24 -0400

I know an old fart, but at 51, I am not an old fart nor do I feel like one! Still have the "Army Strong " mentality!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 21 at 2015 10:26 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 22:26:14 -0400

I'm only 40 so I guess I don't qualify as an "old fart" though I emulate most of their behavior!

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Jun 21 at 2015 11:06 PM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 23:06:27 -0400

I don't remember anything before Viet Nam. I have vivid memories as a kid of watching Dan Rather in a flak vest reporting about a battle as M113's roll past in the background. I'm an avid student of military events (but NOT a professional historian).

Other than that caveat, I AM AN OLD FART, and PROUD of it!

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Jun 21 at 2015 11:18 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 23:18:04 -0400

I am 46...

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jun 22 at 2015 12:04 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 00:04:14 -0400

I'm older now than I was then and I fart everyday! Like an "old" guy once told me and I quote: "A fartin horse never tires, and a fartin man is the man to hire."

Response by SFC Jeff Stevenson made Jun 22 at 2015 8:53 AM

SFC Jeff Stevenson — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 08:53:18 -0400

I like to think I am, at 52 and having 3 grand children. I guess its nice to pass the torch.

Response by SSG John Jensen made Jun 22 at 2015 8:54 AM

SSG John Jensen — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 08:54:05 -0400

like the cheese and the wine - we aren't getting older, we're getting better

Response by SGT Guillermo Vega made Jun 22 at 2015 11:38 PM

SGT Guillermo Vega — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 23:38:13 -0400

Why not, in encompass experience, knowledge, and is not your fault if your body can keep up with your brain, or is it the other way around?

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 23 at 2015 2:05 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 02:05:46 -0400

My Grandfather taught me behavior in this arena. He was the head of produce for Kroger back in the day. He fired an 18 year old punk named Jimmy Hoffa. He lead the development of the "White Fleet" banana boat and rail car refrigeration that brought freshies to dinner tables. He also racked up a couple million air miles when it was 300kts at best and slower on the China Clippers.

The reason I listened to him was how he lived worked. It was just the right thing to do. He'd also chew my ass for not doing it how he would. His negative reinforcement could be intense. I didn't like some of it, but it stuck.

Some things I just felt were right. I always hold my wife's hand when we're out and about. Guess I'm not going to change much any time soon.

Response by BG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2015 6:50 PM

BG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 18:50:09 -0400

Totally me.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Jun 23 at 2015 7:23 PM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 19:23:59 -0400

I'm proud to be an old fart. I believe in patriotism and God and Country. I feel blessed everyday that I was born in the United States of America. I lived during the time of woodstock, the PENN State incident, Vietnam War and beyond. I remember Elvis Presley and never said who is Elvis Presley? I saw the best and worse in our country. I made my own contributions by serving in the military. I don't like a lot of what I see but I will always love America. I helped defend her.

Response by SSG Daniel Deiler made Jun 24 at 2015 10:12 AM

SSG Daniel Deiler — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 10:12:37 -0400

Do you have this in email format? (Since RP is apparently not allowing anyone to copy and paste (or even edit) our own posts)

Response by CPT Bruce Beattie made Jun 24 at 2015 9:36 PM

CPT Bruce Beattie — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 21:36:23 -0400

I prefer to be called a Curmudgeon. It is a fitting description per my family and friends. I fear that I am guilty of all of the attributes ascribed to Old Farts in the original description above. I learned these life lessons well from the old Colonel who was my Commandant of Cadets in high school and from the example set by my father both in, and out of uniform. Fortunately, starting in my youth and continuing throughout my life I have always sought to assist others in need of medical attention due to acute illness or trauma. This has resulted in my always belonging to a FIRST AID RESCUE TEAM. Having done that for over 55 years, it has been described as an OLD FART! :)

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 5:50 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 17:50:35 -0400

I am a Jr. Old fart and know that demands OJT but I am hip! <--- 0ld fartedness right there.. Awesome piece! One of the best in fact, thanks so much. Larry

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jul 8 at 2015 11:10 AM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 11:10:57 -0400

Okay I knew was in during the cold war (1982), Grenada, Panama, Wall Fell, Desert Storm, Denuclearization of Europe (we pulled all the nukes out, as did the Russians), Breakup of Yugoslavia, a bunch of hurricanes, crap in the middle east, more crap in the middle east, I figure I am on the verge of old fart with 33 year of service.

Response by SPC Michelle Nelson - Thompson made Jul 15 at 2015 10:51 PM

SPC Michelle Nelson - Thompson — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 22:51:22 -0400

At 43 I just miss everything before the Cold War. Hit most everything else on the nose including holding doors open (chivalry isn't dead it just changed hands.) My mother and I both being disabled veterans are physically old farts, she's one up on me because of age:) One of us came up with a new word as we were pulling into a handicapped space. Handicrapled. Pretty sure it was me with mouth overriding mind syndrome. Progression - Handicapped (too PC), Handicrippled to Handicrapled. Most days I can make it without a "blue spot" but she can't. So now that's become a ritual with us. Definitely an old fart in training from a verified old fart.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jul 15 at 2015 11:40 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 23:40:40 -0400

What? Who? Where are my pants?

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Jul 16 at 2015 9:57 AM

SPC David Hannaman — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 09:57:03 -0400

Well, there were three moon landings in my lifetime but I'm too young to remember them, do I guess I don't qualify. Maybe I can get extra points toward my "old fart badge" because I have a tendency to not only stand and sing at the national anthem, but also elbow the person next to me that doesn't?

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made Jul 16 at 2015 10:40 AM

CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:40:10 -0400

I'm an old fart! I have the privilege of escorting my father in law (age94) with 41other WWII vets to Washington DC on an honor flight starting tomorrow. These old farts make this 69 year old feel young.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Jul 16 at 2015 10:45 AM

SFC Christopher Perry — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:45:31 -0400

Yup

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jul 16 at 2015 11:53 AM

MSgt James Mullis — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 11:53:39 -0400

I am officially one of the many aging retiree's that fill up the Commissary on Saturday afternoons.

Response by A1C Charles D Wilson made Jul 16 at 2015 4:06 PM

A1C Charles D Wilson — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 16:06:35 -0400

Naturally but we also call it old school.

Response by MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht made Jul 24 at 2015 9:40 PM

MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 21:40:20 -0400

At 82 I qualify. Best word ever spoken. ALL TRUE. You could add, we --nah forget it. I will hurt somebody's feelings.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 28 at 2015 9:32 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 09:32:58 -0400

No I am a creeper.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 28 at 2015 10:42 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 10:42:26 -0400

I've always looked young for my age and most other Old Farts eye me with suspicion. They only recognize me when they see me doing and knowing the things mentioned in this posting

Response by LTC Marc King made Oct 5 at 2015 7:23 PM

LTC Marc King — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 19:23:01 -0400

I prefer the term "Gray Beard" to Old Fart - however both convey great wisdom and experience that you young whipper snappers should head

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2017 11:08 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 11:08:46 -0400

Damn straight, I'm an Old Fart...and proud of it.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2019 12:38 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 00:38:57 -0400

Damn right, seems I've been one all my life!