What are simple little things you enjoy doing as a civilian that you couldn't do in the military?

SGT Rodger Armstrong — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 08:19:25 -0400

So after six years of service I get med boarded. It's taken me a year to realize some of the little things that you couldn't do in the military (Army for me) In The civilian world nobody give two s@#*s about. For me it was hands in your pocket. How about any of you other VETERANS.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 7 at 2014 2:28 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 02:28:01 -0500

Headgear inside. Makes me crazy still.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 8:34 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 08:34:03 -0500

Lack of a gig line. Belt/buckle not lined up. Most civilians could care less unless you're in a high powered position where everyone wears a $2500 suit with a tie that cost $400.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Nov 7 at 2014 11:11 AM

SPC James Mcneil — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 11:11:12 -0500

Having my hands in my pocket was never a big deal for me as long as I wasn't in uniform. I didn't do so in uniform past basic training (actually past the day the DS caught me like that and had me pushing for a while), but in civvies, I didn't care.

For me, it's the way civilians act when the flag is going by in parades. Drives me crazy!

Response by SSG William Patton made Nov 7 at 2014 12:49 PM

SSG William Patton — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 12:49:13 -0500

Many of the things I learned in the military are still part of my life 44 years later. I still have a gig line and my suits are not $2500, but more like $300. Even in casual attire, my gig line is straight if I have a button shirt. I still wear a military haircut, shave, and try to maintain a professional appearance, even though I am now retired. The little things point to self discipline and self image that projects professionalism in how we conduct our lives. Without the influence of the military, my life could have gone to hell in a hand basket quickly.

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Dec 4 at 2014 11:54 AM

SFC Melker Johansson — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 11:54:30 -0500

I definitely will grow a full beard. I'm 41 years old and have never seen myself in a full beard.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Feb 27 at 2015 6:09 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 18:09:16 -0500

My kids can't figure out why I don't want them to walk and text at the same time.

Response by SSG Adam Reed made Feb 27 at 2015 11:15 PM

SSG Adam Reed — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 23:15:13 -0500

Walking on the grass in the military gets you smoked. Walking on the grass in the civilian world gets you there quicker.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Feb 28 at 2015 1:00 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 01:00:45 -0500

I wear my hat indoors a lot!

Response by SPC Charles Griffith made Feb 28 at 2015 3:14 AM

SPC Charles Griffith — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 03:14:41 -0500

Head gear. For the most part it goes on when I get out of bed and stay's there till I get back in bed.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2015 6:52 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 06:52:09 -0500

Wearing my hair however I wanted. Bright red lipstick if I desire dark eyeliner.

Response by SGT Rik Thibodeau made Feb 28 at 2015 8:33 AM

SGT Rik Thibodeau — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 08:33:46 -0500

Being able to use an umbrella when it rains.

Response by MSgt Joanna Clute made Feb 28 at 2015 9:23 AM

MSgt Joanna Clute — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 09:23:50 -0500

Not having to wear a hat, wearing my hair down, nail polish. The best thing though is not having to put on the uniform when it's over 100 degrees out.

Response by SGT John Rauch made Feb 28 at 2015 9:33 AM

SGT John Rauch — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 09:33:14 -0500

growing a beard.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2015 9:40 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 09:40:10 -0500

I was an Army Brat for 17+ years, then spent 5 1/2 either at USMA or in ROTC before being commissioned in the Army where I have been for the past 22+ years; what is 'Civilian?'
:-)

Response by SGT Dale Brown made Feb 28 at 2015 9:51 AM

SGT Dale Brown — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 09:51:54 -0500

Building big (ridiculously big) fires while camping.

Compared to donning a Vietnam Era poncho and sitting on a heat tab while trying not to breathe any of the vapors. :)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2015 11:05 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 11:05:33 -0500

Wearing colorful socks at work!
I can call in sick if just want a mental health day and don't need to give an explanation. I can wear crazy nail polish and not have to wear my hair in a bun.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Feb 28 at 2015 1:04 PM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 13:04:02 -0500

Going home every day.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Feb 28 at 2015 6:58 PM

SPC Christopher Smith — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 18:58:49 -0500

-Walking and talking on a cellphone
-Working out (running or lifting) with headphones
-Walking outside with no head gear on (I hate hats with a strong passion)
-Being able to get a problem handled by the person who can fix it, instead of using a "Chain" and the problem getting lost along the way.
-Hands in my pockets
-Picking what color socks I want to wear
-Wearing short sleeves to work in the Summer
-The use of an umbrella
-The ability to purchase work cloths at a reasonable price
-A job promotion system that actually made sense

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Mar 1 at 2015 1:11 AM

SPC David Shaffer — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 01:11:03 -0500

I love sporting my two day beard and not always wearing a hat but I still don't walk on the grass. I just started letting my hair grow a few months ago and I have been out for some time.

Response by SGT John Rauch made Mar 5 at 2015 12:46 PM

SGT John Rauch — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 12:46:40 -0500

eating as much meat as I want to. stupid chow halls. hahaha "only one meat"

Response by SFC Charles W. Robinson made Mar 5 at 2015 7:58 PM

SFC Charles W. Robinson — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 19:58:43 -0500

Bushy mustache & eat want I want - LoL!

Other than that, I really, really miss the Military and the deployments. After the second tumor though, it was time to go.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2015 8:09 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 20:09:48 -0500

How about grow a massive Goatee and bread it on both sides!!!

Response by PO2 Alana Nielson made Mar 5 at 2015 8:19 PM

PO2 Alana Nielson — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 20:19:12 -0500

Painting my nails any color I want

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 1:18 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 01:18:11 -0500

Walking around in bdu pants, my hands in my pockets and wearing a Motley Crue t-shirt.

Response by SGT Kirk Fiorentino made Mar 11 at 2015 3:15 PM

SGT Kirk Fiorentino — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 15:15:58 -0400

Coach youth soccer

Response by MAJ Michael Robbins made Mar 11 at 2015 4:40 PM

MAJ Michael Robbins — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 16:40:14 -0400

Riding my motorcycle without a safety vest or a helmet if I so choose.

Response by PO1 Cameron Rhyne made Feb 2 at 2016 12:17 AM

PO1 Cameron Rhyne — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 00:17:39 -0500

Walk and talk on a cell phone.
Walk outside with a plain white shirt on.
Put hands in my pockets.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Feb 2 at 2016 3:19 AM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 03:19:04 -0500

growing out this epic beard.