What Customs, Courtesies, or Traditions did you carry on after leaving the military?

SFC Rich Carey — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 10:33:36 -0500

Do you find yourself sitting or standing to the left of a person senior to you, like your boss? I have a habit of correcting the placement of the U.S. Flag and or service Flags. I was in a dealership and they had the precedence order of the flags incorrect. I called attention to it and explained why it was wrong and they asked me to fix their display. (Be polite & courtious pointing out mistake) As I was explaining, a customer spoke up, also a Veteran, and she validated my comments.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Dec 11 at 2013 10:59 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 10:59:48 -0500

Just like you, I have brought to the attention when there is an issue with a flag that was flying and things like that. For example when I started at AAA, I noticed the flag was in pretty bad shape. I told my boss I would like to correct it so I went out, purchased a new flag and we replaced the old flag which I then took to a flag retirement ceremony.

The other "tradition" I maintain is the hair cut. After 8.5 years I just can't let my hair grow all that long. If I go longer than 14 days, I swear I can still hear my 1SG's voice yelling at me to get it cut. :)

Response by SSG William Patton made Dec 11 at 2013 6:13 PM

SSG William Patton — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 18:13:03 -0500

Rich, I have also found myself doing that. Before I retired I discuss flag etiquette with the superintendent of the building I worked in and why it was important. Even though it cost him money out of his budget, he made the changes necessary to ensure Old Glory was flown properlty. On another occassion a business was flying the flag, but had it on a staff that was slightly lower than the other staff, which held the state flag. I went into his business and explained what I saw and he immediately changed the flags around. Another thing I do and did not realize it until my son, also a veteran pointed it out, and that is when I walk, I have my hands slightly cupped as if marching. Before I retired I would break starch every day and would not let my wife iron my shirts or pants. She would not or probably could not get the creases straight or in the right location. Just silly littlle things I did some forty plus years ago that are still apart of my personna today.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2013 9:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 21:11:51 -0500

Im still in Reserves but LOYALTY is one of the few things that gets me going. I also believe that DUTY has a major role in my being.

Response by SPC Barrett Tillison made Dec 12 at 2013 10:19 PM

SPC Barrett Tillison — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 22:19:00 -0500

I as well had to make a correction with a Flag. There's this high school down the road from me, I was heading to the store, and noticed their Flag had most definitely seen better days. It had two huge tears in it, and was no longer Red, White, and Blue, but had become off white, light blue, and pink. They didn't like what I had to say so I kept coming by and confronting the principal about it, after a month they finally retired the Flag, and replaced it with one that was in far better shape. I also find myself needing to wear a hat of one sort or another whenever I go out, and I take it off indoors just as I did my cover...I never feel right without something on my head while outside!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2013 5:18 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 17:18:37 -0500

Well... I suppose I'm an odd duck of sorts... I grew up in KS, OK, and TX, so I learned to tip my hat (pretty nearly a salute) and respect the flag from a young age.

Even BEFORE I joined the Army, I was really big on Flag etiquette. I distinctly remember stopping some Middle school boys who were folding the flag like a bedsheet, and explained a more correct way of doing it.

On another occasion, I had to call a business I saw from the freeway, because they were flying their company flag higher than the US flag! (Turns out, they had just accidentally not gotten the US flag raised all the way...)

Response by SSG Jeffrey Spencer made Dec 14 at 2013 8:30 PM

SSG Jeffrey Spencer — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 20:30:00 -0500

My hangers are evenly spaced and organized by color, etc.

Well, there are many. Like the others, I especially like to dress down folks who do not know how to display or care for our flag.

I still shine my own shoes. I still make military creases. There are a lot of carryovers. Most of all, I sound off when I really need to make a point.

Response by CPO John Dupee made Dec 14 at 2013 8:57 PM

CPO John Dupee — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 20:57:16 -0500

Hair cut every fourteen days - skin tight flat top.

If pockets have buttons - they are ALWAYS buttoned

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Mar 29 at 2014 9:34 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 21:34:59 -0400

I grew up the son of a 1st Sergeant/Master Sergeant and learned customs and military courtesies from him. As a result when I went in I still had them ingrained in me. To this day I still salute officers even though I am a veteran I feel it is the least I can do for those who still serve. I address all military personnel I meet as sir or ma'am as a sign of respect for what they are dong. My children learned these same manners and hopefully are passing them along when I am away from them.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Apr 3 at 2016 4:03 PM

Maj Mike Sciales — Sun, 03 Apr 2016 16:03:15 -0400

I don't have a Boss, but I stand to the left of my wife, because she's senior to me. I call anybody I don't know Sir or Ma'am, I stand for women entering a room, I get the door. I know they can do those things, my DI (and my Mom) taught me to do it out of respect. I stand at attention and salute the flag at ball games (when wearing a hat). I recycle my batteries and separate all my recyclables and waste. I make my bed everyday. I repeat back phone numbers and spellings to be certain. I wash and iron my own clothes and I'm still performing KP daily from 0800-0900, 1600-1800. I took all of the good things and incorporated them into my life. Been working for decades.

Response by PO1 Donald Hammond made Apr 4 at 2016 5:50 PM

PO1 Donald Hammond — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 17:50:18 -0400

Got out of the Navy and I carry on the tradition of burping, farting, etc.

Response by SGT Joseph Allen III made Sep 10 at 2017 12:57 AM

SGT Joseph Allen III — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 00:57:13 -0400

I keep my right hand empty when walking

Response by SGT Joe Downs made Sep 16 at 2019 3:39 PM

SGT Joe Downs — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 15:39:54 -0400

Yes. Even though I am now officially a "senior" (>62) I still defer, respect my elders and those who are in "ranked" positions. Still use Sir and Ma'am. Still LOVE starch, especially in my shirts and blue-jeans. Still have a shoe shine kit and use it often!! Still check my "gig line". Still Honor the Flag and make sure it's displayed correctly and is serviceable, and I have bought and offered replacements to various businesses, friends, and family who fly the flag. Still address retired senior NCO's and Officers by rank, unless asked otherwise. Still do "flags out" on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Keep my stash and hair short and neat, not quite regulation, but close. Still stand at attention and modified parade rest at times, when addressing others. Still maintain a military posture, back straight, chest out, chin tucked. Had a young lady comment on my posture at a meeting where I stood for a good while. (That one made me chuckle, that she noticed it) and even cared to comment. I guess some of us just took our training and time a little more to heart and imbedded it a bit deeper. Doesn't make us better people, just more attentive to detail.