Is there a trait you picked up in the military that you had to leave behind in the civilian world?

CPT Christopher Coker — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 09:43:30 -0400

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Nov 3 at 2017 9:50 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 09:50:51 -0400

Saying "copy" all the time. I guess it's not used all that often in the civilian world and people do notice that.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2017 9:51 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 09:51:21 -0400

Sure I have one I remember in basic when I would sit down and get five minutes to eat and would start shoveling food down and when I graduated people thought I was poorly fed when I'd go to family dinners and do the same thing it was just a habit to eat and leave.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Nov 3 at 2017 9:51 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 09:51:22 -0400

I wouldn't say I "picked it up" in the military, but I sure honed my swearing skills there. That only makes it more difficult for me to not drop verbal bombs in the office.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Nov 3 at 2017 9:51 AM

SGT Philip Roncari — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 09:51:37 -0400

All the "Traits" I picked up in the Military stood me in good stead in civilian life,just maybe not how to set up an L shaped ambush civilians were a little squeamish on that one.

Response by MAJ Monique Ruiz made Nov 3 at 2017 10:09 AM

MAJ Monique Ruiz — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 10:09:36 -0400

Cursing. I never cursed before joining the service. In a predominately male organization, I adapted. However, men sound manly and tough when they curse. Women sound whiny, immature, crazy, or unprofessional. It is what it is.

Response by SPC Brett Curry made Nov 3 at 2017 10:14 AM

SPC Brett Curry — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 10:14:31 -0400

My violent tendency....it's the hardest thing I have had to deal with without a doubt

Response by SSG Stephan Pendarvis made Nov 3 at 2017 10:18 AM

SSG Stephan Pendarvis — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 10:18:11 -0400

In the Army you could get to the point and say things a certain way and not hurt feelings. Now I have to speak with tact and be careful of feelings. I always consider others point of view when speaking to them...always. but I have had to kind of soften my words or consider my audience when I am speaking. Being in a supervisor position at times you have to be the bad guy to get the job done. I work in a DoD facility so I in a way still get to speak like an old NCO...sort of....lol!!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Nov 3 at 2017 10:19 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 10:19:42 -0400

Some many- expecting discipline, folks doing a days work for a day's pay. Teamwork, etc. When you retire from hard charging units and find civilians often want to coast thru or just do the minimums, it can drive you up the wall.

Response by SFC Craig Dalen made Nov 3 at 2017 10:25 AM

SFC Craig Dalen — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 10:25:24 -0400

We will see in about 6 months lol

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2017 11:01 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 11:01:53 -0400

Expectations of conduct.
Also I can't say certain phrases without triggering people.
Got a job where I am in charge of myself and report to a Supervisor once a week, he's prior Navy so it works out.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Nov 3 at 2017 11:13 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 11:13:00 -0400

There are many traits I have picked up and while I wish I could have left them behind, their roots are still too deep...can't leave them completely behind but hope I am able to curtail them enough as not to offend too much.

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Nov 3 at 2017 11:50 AM

PO3 Phyllis Maynard — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 11:50:25 -0400

Strict attention to detail did not go over very well with a toddler. :0)

Response by Sgt Martin Querin made Nov 3 at 2017 1:11 PM

Sgt Martin Querin — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 13:11:03 -0400

A great question CPT Christopher Coker; my basic training hardened my resolve and gave me a better understanding of just how far I could really push myself. But with every experience in my life I have tried to reconcile what is asked of me with what I believe is right. I really didn't pick up any traits in the military that I needed to discard.

For example, my wife got the rebellious wild-child to go to church and turn his life around as a senior in High School. So when I joined I had already quit a lot of the traits I would have carried into the Corps and some I probably would have reinforced there. I bootcamp I refused to join in certain songs, when the Drill Instructor busted my chops, I simply explained that I had a moral issue with some of the words. You might expect the DI to really hand my butt to me in a basket, but my performance was enough that they gave me a pass.

I did find it difficult not to swear in the Corps; sometimes Marines don't think you are serious about a command, or get a sense of urgency, if it isn't reinforced with a few expletives. But it didn't take long for those under my command to understand that when I just said something, I meant it, or I wouldn't have said it. And I always had a sense of urgency when I gave a command; as opposed to a request, which carried a very different conversational tone. So nope, nothing but good character, commitment and dogged tenacity came from my time in the military. Semper Fi
Martin

Response by MSgt Brian Williams made Nov 3 at 2017 1:58 PM

MSgt Brian Williams — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 13:58:49 -0400

Not a trait but a habit. Smoking.

Response by CA Delete D. made Nov 3 at 2017 2:20 PM

CA Delete D. — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 14:20:22 -0400

Speaking in 24-hour format complete with phonetic alpabetical time zones....being patient when people walk at a snail's pace side-by-side through high-traffic, throughfare areas....correcting dudes with an off gigline.....toning down the repeat-backs and dealing with people that don't speak concisely (i.e. too many verbal tics or can't finish a grammatically correct sentence and then get frustrated when you ask them to repeat what they said)....eating whatever I want, knowing that I would burn it off during PT

Response by Maj John Bell made Nov 3 at 2017 4:40 PM

Maj John Bell — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 16:40:44 -0400

Blunt honesty - up, down, and sideways; I miss it beyond my ability to express.

and

It is far easier to beg forgiveness (with positive results in hand) than to beg permission (with sound planning in hand).

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2017 5:34 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 17:34:58 -0400

Tone down intensity at more Jr. positions. Will spook the herd. Tone down “command” presence if not in a leadership role.

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Nov 3 at 2017 7:19 PM

Cpl Mark A. Morris — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 19:19:17 -0400

I was ordered to stop saying Roger and Over. So, I said I read you Lima Charlie.
The first sentence is true. The second, not so much.
Yea, do you know what is wrong with the military? It's letting too many civilians in!

Response by CWO2 James Mathews made Nov 4 at 2017 12:23 AM

CWO2 James Mathews — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 00:23:24 -0400

One of the things I learned in the submarine service was that I could trust my shipmates with my life! When I left submarines, I found myself surrounded by those whom I neither knew, not could trust to that degree. It made me very much aware of what I had lost, as I gained Warrant rank, and was forced to leave the boats without choijce!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2017 12:44 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 00:44:35 -0400

Getting up at o dark 30 to PT

Response by CPL Anthony Slaughter made Nov 4 at 2017 9:15 AM

CPL Anthony Slaughter — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 09:15:03 -0400

I struggle to be sensitive to my co-workers feelings, because apparently simple phrases like 'are you fucking serious?' or 'quit whining and get on the damn ladder!' are just too much for these little snowflakes.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Nov 4 at 2017 10:50 AM

MSG Floyd Williams — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 10:50:11 -0400

The trait I picked up in the Army is "Team Work", no longer "Me, myself, and I" mentality.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 4 at 2017 11:18 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 11:18:01 -0400

The private sector demands a level of diplomacy that may be difficult for some service members. On active duty, your mission probably had clearly defined objectives and an analysis of enemy and friendly forces (all part of a good Operations Order). In the private sector, things aren't quite so clearly defined. The relationships among companies in the same sector, such as Defense contractors, are complex. I had to learn that today's competitors for a piece of Government work may be tomorrow's partner. The web of prime and sub contractors across the market sector makes it necessary for employees to tread with diplomacy throughout the network. You can't publically say, "we could do that job better and cheaper than company X" because company X may be the Prime contractor and your company a subcontractor on a team. A misplaced public statement could cost your company work in an area you don't even know about. You learn the marketing or business development departments are the "-2". They should provide information about contract relationships to employees apt to make public statements or attending trade shows. If they aren't forthcoming in advance, you'll need to ask for the information.

Response by Tia Mitchell made Nov 5 at 2017 12:24 PM

Tia Mitchell — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 12:24:17 -0500

Hmmm, interesting

Response by SGT Chris Stephens made Nov 5 at 2017 10:41 PM

SGT Chris Stephens — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 22:41:36 -0500

Waking up before 0600. I don't do too much of that anymore.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2018 5:08 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 17:08:26 -0400

Telling the truth when asked for my opinion.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2019 7:12 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 May 2019 07:12:23 -0400

The level of attention to detail that allows problems to be successfully solved... and a sense of duty, that I guess I have before basic training. I guess the Army really put that sense of duty on steroids. :)

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 12 at 2019 2:28 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 12 May 2019 14:28:41 -0400

I miss helping NCOs and soldiers grow professionally and personally.

Response by MSgt Brian Williams made May 30 at 2019 1:20 PM

MSgt Brian Williams — Thu, 30 May 2019 13:20:26 -0400

Also, being more concious of time. I hate to be late so I am always early. My wife and I were going to Jamaica on vacation. Our flight was at 0730 so we had to be to the airport NLT 0500. My daughter was going to drop us off so she asked if I wanted to go around 2200 the night before so we wouldn't be late. HA FN HA.

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Dec 13 at 2019 1:31 AM

SGT Robert Pryor — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 01:31:47 -0500

Counting on others.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2019 5:37 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 05:37:24 -0500

My &#%^$# *$#!@^ nasty mouth.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 13 at 2019 3:18 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 15:18:29 -0500

I couldn't be bossy anymore. I can't even boss my family.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 13 at 2019 10:03 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 22:03:22 -0500

CPT Christopher Coker PLEASE ! Just say YES or NO!

And please tell me when you have completed that assignment! Don’t fade away, there is just one thing I need you to do!

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Dec 14 at 2019 1:49 AM

SPC Stewart Smith — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 01:49:11 -0500

There were a couple:
1 - Saying exactly what you mean without it being misconstrued or taken as an attack. It seems like you have to triple think anything you say in the civilian world for fear of hurting someones feelings. It sucks. My intent is not to hurt your feelings, but to help the situation so we can proceed in a more positive and efficient manner.

2 - Teamwork: I understand there is teamwork in the civilian world, but it is not the same. In the army, teamwork was essential to the completion of the "mission". In the civilian world, teamwork is often preached, but not practiced. You hear so many people complaining about things or just trying to get something completed themselves. There are so many "knowledge hoarders" because they have this mindset that it makes them irreplaceable. People need to understand that working together and sharing knowledge is for the good of everyone. If you can teach 14 people to do the job you do, you will be sought after by so many employers. They understand that a teacher can get more accomplished through others rather than "one man" teaming it. Help each other. Come on. WTF is going on here....

Response by SPC John Smith made Dec 14 at 2019 8:25 AM

SPC John Smith — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 08:25:24 -0500

Saying F@*K every other word.

Response by SGT Brianna MacKinnon made Dec 20 at 2020 11:44 AM

SGT Brianna MacKinnon — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 11:44:18 -0500

I have been told at work that some of my Supervisors want to clone me because they KNOW that I would get the work done. Unlike many of the non-Veterans, I take pride in my work and it shows. I do have the feeling that my preference for Gallows Humor is not appreciated by some though. :)