What constitutes being "old school" in the military?

Brown shoes, tan pants, [oh, I sorry, that is today's uniform] Ike jackets, OD fatigues. Air Force--1505s, 505s, the horse blanket, winter dress blues, ball caps. Navy--the "Cracker Jack" uniform.

Old School is a subjective statement. My uncle was a WWII and Korea veteran (1940s - 1980s) His version of old School was different from my father (1950s - 1980). I served from 1974- 1994 my definition was mostly similar my father's but different. I thought it odd when I heard that trainee got time out cards in BCT and imagine today's troops will have their own idea of what Old School is differently that those that preceded them.
To me now anyone who was prepared to lay their life on the line, whether they did of not, is Old School.

Cant offer much about "old school" other than duty; honor; country. We had no identity problems; no men wanting to be women; whippy it hurts or uniforms for drill and exercise. If you wore fatigues; had a tee shirt on then that was good enough for exercise.
We were proud; self confidence was built by hard as brass drill instructors; and if you questioned anyone with why or no your answer from them was "what part of no do you not understand."
No personal time; if you used drugs; most likely you were places in psychological floor in hospital for 48 hours and that is where LSD and all the harsh things that destroy souls and minds were placed. Usually, after experiencing brain dead; eye gouged out; fingers bitten off; ears missing from use of drugs, cured those experimenting. But alas, in todays military, all things that comfort and cuddle insecure troopers must be considered before the task of becoming the worlds best military, and getting ones head screwed on straight must be undertaken.
That's all I got to say about that.

Somehow my post jumped before I finished. Old school to me is much the same as CSM Feick. I will add that the leadership of the Vietnam era NCO and Officer, was passed on for a few decades, into the 80’s and 90’s. Passed on by those trained and led by those great leaders.

Having said that, old school is now something else to a group of men and women who have face their own hell, their own demons. Combat tested (again), utilizing a structure of development and education that enhances the skill sets learned in the heat of battle.

The challenge for today’s old school are the many structural changes in the military. We now have political leaders that believe all rule should apply equally in and out of the military. These are challenges face throughout the history of the military. I get it, however the most senior leadership needs to look back on what made them the leaders they are today. All of the education and training in the world does not help if there is no discipline in the ranks.

I had a Colt 1911A1 as my side arm, a Colt M16A1 for my rifle

If you have to ask, you're too young

Wore the starched fatigues.
Wore fatigues without blouse and cap for PT.
Drove a GammaGoat for Sgt of the Guard.
Changed sleeve rank to collar rank.

OD Greens old school enough?

Before joining the Coast Guard I was in the Army and took Basic and AIT at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii in 1960 when RA was the only way and US they had to drag you here. Thank God I was RA. That was 16 weeks of "in your face" jungle. The DIs did not care what your personal problems may be only that you could successful close with and kill the enemy and they were going to show you how to do it. Running the "Hill" was a twice a week episode where you carried a BAR, ammo pouches, web gear and weighted down packs going from Quad I to the top of Kolekole Pass non-stop and back and you had better not fall out. I was familiarized with a 11-1/2 boot. Language from the DIs were very colorful and effective. After Basic/AIT you went to the Division and slept in a Platoon Bay that consisted of a cot, wall, and footlocker. You were in the jungle running FTXs, Escape & Evasion, Survival, Battalion Problems or Armor/Infantry FTXs. The Army in those days were not about creature comforts, it was about being a lean, mean, killing machine. The notion then was, if you think I'm (DIs) mean and bad, you ought to see what Charlie can do. You pass an officer you rendered a smart salute. When you went to the Orderly Room you didn't diddy bop and a weekend pass was earned. Unless you were E-4 over 4 you needed the "Old Man's" permission to get married. The idea was if the Army wanted you to have a wife, they'd have put on in your initial issue. OCS was designed to drive you out. NCO Academy was designed to smarten you up and make you hard core. I could go on, but you get the idea. It was not the kinder, gentler, woke Army it is today where "feelings" matter. We were tight and a team and it was because that is what our training and unit's commands expected of us. Now you know why we lived in Platoon and Squad Bays. In short, "Old School" was suck it up and get over it.

Duece and a half. 3*4 ton trucks with radio or teletype gear, metal canteens, PT in combat boots and t shirt, fatique pants. Cleaning grease trap outside mess hall. C Rations, not too bad toeat. P38. Dress greens that were wool, and looked sharp. Tent halfs.Steel pot, wash in, do laundry in the field, take a weird shower with, protected ur head, give u headaches from weight. Maybe more later.