What constitutes being "old school" in the military?

SSG Selwyn Bodley, "Old School" means anything more than 20 years ago. In my short 18 years of service so far, I have seen more than three uniform changes from the BDU to DCUs in Iraq, then bluish-gray ACUs and now back to a green ACU, not to mention to changes to service uniforms and PT uniforms. I have seen the Army and the military in general change to where the previous generation would not recognize it. So for me, "old school" constitutes the previous generation of servicemen and before.

Wore od green fatigues with so much starch in them you could not bend your knees or elbows.

I'm old school. came in Oct 21st, 1978. we were taught differently then.

Teaching soldiers to waste time spit shinning the boots/shoes when a just good maintenance (a shin) will do. Yelling at soldiers when assertive behavior works bests. Yelling in the new school is only when a safety issues needs an immediate warning. The Science of Assertiveness theory -- aka folk knowledge (trial and error science)

Assertive (Leadership) behavior by humans: Builds relationships

Will the long-term affects be worse than any short-term discomfort I may feel if I am assertive in the first place?

An angry and loud communication can be assertive if one is expressing feelings (Using the word "I", ( I am really god damn anger at you ...)

vs. HOSTILE behavior-destroys a relationship: for example, ... “You dumb ass, didn't your mother teach you to report to work on time, etc. etc. Why, didn't you do such and such.... You should do such and such”

If someone has a habit of saying, "Why, don't you do such and such..." we all understand this to mean "I want you" to do such and such. There seems to be some kind of a taboo in our culture against people saying straight up, that they want.
On the use of the word YOU:

...the use of the word "you" is assertive when a person is acting in the role of boss, parent, or leader, for example, a law enforcer, a teacher, the chair of a meeting.

"You are expected to" (follow the rules, etc) , then every time the other person comes up with excuses, sob stories, etc, repeating this phase again and again ("You are expected to" (aka using the broken record shows the other person that you are not afraid to stand your ground and they need for them to rethink their poor behavior.

But remember being skeptically silent is assertive. Meaning, if I try to get the last word.. will I get punched in the nose or some other bad result.

Speaking up in a group to speak is assertive because one is taking the "psychological space" of the whole group.


Hostile behavior: A person uses sarcasm and intimidation to get what they want. One may get what they want, but destroys the relationship afterwards.
It is easy to give up the benefits of hostile behavior when I value myself enough to avoid getting agitated over minor issues and when I am imperfect and incorrect.

Non-assertive behavior: (shy behavior) doing nothing about unpleasant situations and simply try to ignore ones feelings and desires. While it may prevent conflicts with others, one probably will wind up feeling helpless, exploited, angry, and disappointed with one’s self. Being “too shy” to do something.



For example, “I am sorry to bother you.” This is an example, of how being NICE sucks us into a non-assertive down-hill fall. vs. “I want to talk to you.” “ I need your help or I need or want to talk to you.”

or "It was nice talking to you." (when it wasn't and you didn't enjoy talking to them).

Basic Assertive Rights:

1. The right to act in ways that promote my dignity and self-respect as long as others’ rights are not violated in the process.
2. The right to be treated with respect.
3. The right to say no and not feel guilty.
4. The right to experience and express feelings.
5. The right to take time to slow down and think.
6. The right to change my mind.
7. The right to ask for what I want.
8. The right to do less than I are humanly capable of doing.
9. The right to ask for information.
10. The right to make mistakes.
11. The right to feel good about myself.
Must I always assert my rights?
No, I am always free to choose not to assert myself, assuming that I am also willing to take the responsibility for whatever consequences may then occur.
Source: The Assertive Option by Patricia Jakubowski and Arthur J. Lange
and NO TRESPASSING by Barker and Barker.
Richard McManus
Chief Warrant Officer-3/counterintelligence special agent, and combat paramedic, Vietnam, US Army retired, Everett, WA

20 year letter and you're still serving!

Talking on the 1mc from dc central

Calling home from ship using MARS & hearing a growler

Blanket party's & soap on a rope

If you can recall smoke breaks just to smoke alongside your company commander, living off gee dunk, and when standing watch with a trusty 45 sidearm was the only option in town.
Someone said when you drank beers with lunch- you mean your not allowed to do that?

For me being old school means wearing BDU's and being afraid when you hear the E-7 wants to talk to you when you were an E-3. It meant smoking in military vehicles and aircraft in flight (sitting on the ramp).