Posted on May 13, 2018
What habit(s) have you been unable to break after leaving the military?
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Just to start the conversation, I still make sure that my 'gig' line is straight every single time I get dressed.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 209
I still use 24-hour time just to watch people do the math in their head.
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SSgt (Join to see)
TSgt David L. - My wife was in, and still uses 24-hour time. I think she forgot how to use AM/PM.
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SFC Greg Bruorton
And here I thought it was just me doing those things. My early years of Morse code training began my constant all-cap printing. And the military time cuts to the chase and leaves no questions behind.
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PFC (Join to see)
My dad has been out of the military for almost 15 years and he still writes in all caps. Old habits die hard.
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Always early for appointments
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen F. MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Maj Michael Gravier LTC Jeff Shearer Cpl Scott McCarroll SGT (Join to see) Cpl Scott McCarroll SPC Margaret Higgins TSgt David L. Maj Walter Kilar Maj Marty Hogan SPC Douglas Bolton CPT Don Kemp Sgt Deborah Cornatzer LTC Orlando Illi
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen F. MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Maj Michael Gravier LTC Jeff Shearer Cpl Scott McCarroll SGT (Join to see) Cpl Scott McCarroll SPC Margaret Higgins TSgt David L. Maj Walter Kilar Maj Marty Hogan SPC Douglas Bolton CPT Don Kemp Sgt Deborah Cornatzer LTC Orlando Illi
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SP5 Geoffrey Vannerson
FYI: If your early your on time, if your on time your late, and if your late then don't bother showing up! Drilled into my head for 35+ years and I have passed it along to everyone I come in contact with if it deals with punctuality.
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I inhale food. When I am at a business lunch I have to watch other people's plates to make sure we're "even". If I don't I'll be through with my meal before they have their third bite.
I will also eat any food cold, which drives my wife crazy.
I will also eat any food cold, which drives my wife crazy.
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SSG Robert Perrotto
oh yeah - heating food is optional, using a fork is optional, a plate? whats a plate, Napkins? who has time to use one - huh - you still talking? then you aint hungry - move out private 8 )
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SSG Robert Perrotto
MAJ (Join to see) - the one that truly drives my wife crazy is drinking from the bottle. I will do it without even thinking - go to the fridge and pull out a pop bottle and chug chug chug
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MAJ (Join to see)
SSG Robert Perrotto - Lol. My wife won't drink water from a tap. It has to be filtered or bottled. I always tell her she's going to be the first to go after the nuclear apocalypse happens! She then tells me that she could if she had to. I just remind her that we practice like we play.
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I punched out of the MIL side in '03 and the CS side in '13. My eyes still open at 0500 regardless of time zone. Just got back from a Dubai-Barcelona cruise and the 0500 thing happened no matter what regardless of ship's time, or land side time. If I'm still in bed at 0600, the wife wonders how sick I am.
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Getting up no later then 0500hrs., better then my retired Navy father's unbroken habit, getting up every day at 0430hrs. and drinking his coffee.
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CMSgt Albert Conant
0500 is my biggest problem. I don't know how to sleep in. I am up hours before my wife. Fortunately I get lots done without the interference. But I'd really like to stop being the first person up in my neighborhood. Hell I have to wait for the paperboy, who needs a letter of counseling for late papers.
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SGT Carl Blas
CMSgt Albert Conant - A lot of times these days, I'm up at 0200hrs, most of the time I just watch YouTube on the latest information for the military. Or, what's in the gun world.
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CMSgt Albert Conant
I used to read everything going on in the world that might impact on our military. I still keep up on world affairs, but these are scary times for all active duty troops.
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I think everyone has covered my habits: gig line, "yes/no, sir/ma'am", empty right hand, and stepping off with the left foot. I still make my bed with hospital corners. I still eat my food in 30 seconds or less. I strive to be 15 minutes early. I keep a vehicle maintenance log in the car (with all the warranty documentation). I keep a bugout bag. I keep a packing list in my bugout bag. My wife finally stopped me from putting laundry marks in my clothes.
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SSG Robert Perrotto
Oscar Mike Golf - laundry marks - my dad used to do that (Korean War Vet - Marine Corps) - used to drive my mom crazy
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