Posted on Jul 30, 2014
OFF DUTY, do you still act like a soldier or like a regular civilian?
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I'm not talking about conducting yourself with respect or acting like an idiot whenever off duty (I believe you have to conduct yourself with maturity and be responsible regardless of military service or not). What I mean is if you still act or do stuff as if you were still wearing the uniform?
For example:
I see allot of people that "run" they're house like it was the military. They refer to they're spouses as they're CO's, or punish they're kids by doing push ups or stuff like that.
Whenever I'm off work I like to "forget" that I'm a soldier. First of all, in my house, my wife is my wife, not my CO, not my 1SG or anything like that. And if anyone ever tells her something like that, she will stop them right then and there, she doesn't like it AT ALL. I don't run my house or treat my kids like they're in "boot camp". I don't speak military "lingo" in my house (no "roger", "tracking", or none of that). Maybe since we speak spanish in my house, maybe that helps with avoiding the "lingo" lol. My wife doesn't wear ANYTHING that has ANY reference to the military, no "Army wife" stuff or ACU pattern crap, and she definitely doesn't wear any of my clothes. And I don't wear ANYTHING regarding the military when I'm in civilian clothes.
I like to separate my work, from my private life (I'm an EXTREMELY private person). Since I'm Active Duty, joined the military pretty "late" (I was turning 26 when I joined) I guess I cherish my civilian life too much to mix it with my military side.
How do you guys do? Do you separate military from regular life? Or not?
For example:
I see allot of people that "run" they're house like it was the military. They refer to they're spouses as they're CO's, or punish they're kids by doing push ups or stuff like that.
Whenever I'm off work I like to "forget" that I'm a soldier. First of all, in my house, my wife is my wife, not my CO, not my 1SG or anything like that. And if anyone ever tells her something like that, she will stop them right then and there, she doesn't like it AT ALL. I don't run my house or treat my kids like they're in "boot camp". I don't speak military "lingo" in my house (no "roger", "tracking", or none of that). Maybe since we speak spanish in my house, maybe that helps with avoiding the "lingo" lol. My wife doesn't wear ANYTHING that has ANY reference to the military, no "Army wife" stuff or ACU pattern crap, and she definitely doesn't wear any of my clothes. And I don't wear ANYTHING regarding the military when I'm in civilian clothes.
I like to separate my work, from my private life (I'm an EXTREMELY private person). Since I'm Active Duty, joined the military pretty "late" (I was turning 26 when I joined) I guess I cherish my civilian life too much to mix it with my military side.
How do you guys do? Do you separate military from regular life? Or not?
Posted in these groups: 
Off Duty
Military Life
Off Duty Military Life
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 22
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I would not refer to my wife to be by any rank or title for sure. I also would not treat my kids as though they are Soldiers (in terms of corrective training), but they will show respect to others as well as myself and their mother. My house is clean and orderly, but that has little to do with the military, but more to do with my up bringing. I don't wear uniform item other than maybe my PT shorts when working out or running, outside of work.
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SSG (Join to see)
People peg me for a soldier (or a cop) everywhere I go regardless of attire. So...might as well act the part all the time.
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MAJ (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) God, back when I was single every girl I met would say "are you a cop or military?". Must have been asked that a thousand times.
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SGT (Join to see)
SPC Fredette I get the same thing and I used to ask them how they knew I was a soldier and it was always the same answer.
1)My haircut
2)The way I conducted myself (always walk straight, looking forward and)
3)My serious face (Not the military's fault, I've always had a serious face)
And that's inevitable. My question is though, how do you act at home, around family and friends (non military). Do you still act and talk like a drill sgt or like you used to before you joined the military
1)My haircut
2)The way I conducted myself (always walk straight, looking forward and)
3)My serious face (Not the military's fault, I've always had a serious face)
And that's inevitable. My question is though, how do you act at home, around family and friends (non military). Do you still act and talk like a drill sgt or like you used to before you joined the military
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Those who say we are on duty 24/7 have it a little twisted. Sure we are on a potential recall 24/7 but there is a time and place for parade rest and there is a time and a place to let your hair down, so to speak. If you attempt military life 24 hours a day you will shun those around you, military too who just want to be human when out of the ACUs. Quickest way to burn out or mental break down is to try and hold the military persona 24/7. Remember the military machine is stocked with people first, not Soldiers.
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I learned a great deal about LDRSHIP growing up, but my Army service really solidified it. I will always be a soldier, even if I can't continue wearing the uniform as one.
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