Which of your old military habits are hardest to drop?

2015-01-29T07:27:42-05:00

I've been out for 10 years now, and one by one, the old habits drilled into me by my lovely DI's and those SNCO's in the fleet are dropping off.

The haircut.. somewhat high, not too tight.
The Physical Training. Nope. If you see me running, I'm out of ammo.
Shaving daily.. no, Gillette already has enough of my money.

BUT.. I still line up my shirt buttons with my belt buckle, and you better believe the creases on my shirt will cut you. My shoes still have that spit shine.

Anyone else? Which of those old military habits remain unshakable?

Semper Fi

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2015 7:39 AM

2015-01-29T07:39:11-05:00

The gig line is one that I check every day. I had a friend tell me that my gig line was F'd up a couple years ago ... I was retired and in civilian clothes (and so was he) ... those habits die hard.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Jan 29 at 2015 7:53 AM

2015-01-29T07:53:56-05:00

Gig line is a given, standing when speaking with someone, and yep - "10 minutes early is still 5 minutes late" in my book :)

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2015 8:49 AM

2015-01-29T08:49:48-05:00

Been retired since 96, and fortunately working for the Air Force/Army at Ft. Stewart since 2007) and interact daily/weekly with Soldiers and leaders from Bn level to the Div. HQs. I spend considerable time in front of groups teaching installation emergency management training, NIMS/ICS courses for the Garrison Staff/CMT/Directorates & EOC members. So for me:

1. High & Tight haircut every two weeks
2. Gig line ( oh hell yes)
3. If in Jeans - (starched)
4. Shoes/boots always highly shined
5. Always 15 min. early, at least
6. Often use that 1SG sarcastic humor when dealing with Sr. Leadership
7. Still OCD - keeping work area professional looking.
8. If you come to work to day looking like you don't give a damn....I'll let you know it.
9. Here, feel free to dish it out, but it you can't take in return....you'll have issues!

Response by SFC Dan Sorrow, M.S. made Jan 29 at 2015 9:54 AM

2015-01-29T09:54:28-05:00

Funny you should mention this! The Chief Judge in my office (Social Security) retired back in June. He was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. I was career Army. Everyday, he'd stop by my office to ensure bother of us were squared away (including the gig line). As more veterans were hired on in the agency, he'd do the same with them. Some weren't sure how to take his approach, so he disregarded them and figured they were just screwed up! HA! I really miss that guy!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 29 at 2015 12:04 PM

2015-01-29T12:04:53-05:00

The only two that I really follow:

If you have belt loops, wear a belt. And male Marines don't carry Umbrellas.

Generally speaking, I get a haircut twice a year whether I need it or not. It is always keep need and orderly, just let it grow long because I can.

Shave weekly. You won't believe how much I save on razors.

When I got out, I swore I would never run again. About 7 years later, I hopped on a scale and said "Oh hell no." Ended up running my first Marathon 8 years to the Day from my EAS. I've got close to 20 halves, a dozen fulls, and an Ultra under my belt now. I want a 100 Miler by the time I'm 40 just to say I've done it.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 29 at 2015 12:24 PM

2015-01-29T12:24:10-05:00

No, I'm not the soldier I once was but then, who is? I'm 72 now, not 23 (the age when I enlisted). Still, I soldier on.

I wake up every day with a prayer of thanks for another day on the bright side of the grass. My posture is still erect despite the sciatica and I'm still mission-oriented although retired. I write and volunteer daily.

I help make the bed I share with my wife of 38 years and do KP every day (she's the mess sergeant -- she cleans up my mess when I cook).

Most importantly, I remain committed to my oath to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic".

Some habits never die no matter how old they and I are...

Response by PO3 John Jeter made Jan 29 at 2015 11:26 PM

2015-01-29T23:26:54-05:00

It's interesting to see the transformations that occur at Patriot Guard Rider missions. Many of us meet up and travel together to these functions, and you can see the change as old training reasserts itself. Loose ends get tucked in, headwear gets squared, posture gets tightened. The most impressive thing is the Parade Grade Salutes for the Fallen or the Honored guest.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Jan 30 at 2015 7:05 AM

2015-01-30T07:05:53-05:00

When it's time to get up, almost all of the time, I'm up and out of the bed before I start thinking. I still get odd looks for that.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jan 30 at 2015 7:32 AM

2015-01-30T07:32:59-05:00

I've been out 30 years (which hurts to say) and I still have more than my fair share of items drilled into my head.

Gig line - yes
Shave daily - yes (except weekends)
Shoes shined - yes but not spit shined. Does anyone shine a shoe in the military any more? When my son graduated from Parris Island a few years ago no boot polish or brasso to be found.
Haircut - not so much
Creases - you bet, every day
Lingo - Yes, still a lot of words/anaologies used regularly
Shooting - still repeat some of the stuff learned on the range when I shoot today and when teaching my kids to shoot

It is amazing how much stuff was crammed into the brain housing group and still remains just under the surface even after working in the civillian world for 30 years now.

Response by SPC Erik Atkinson made Jan 30 at 2015 8:11 AM

2015-01-30T08:11:10-05:00

I still always check my gig line and haircut. PT? Although I am not as intense as I used to be, I still exercise as much as I can. I still carry a pack on my back when I exercise as well. And Gillette still gets my money. I also find my correcting my peers and subordinates on their appearance. (Some habits never leave you.)

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Mar 4 at 2015 11:33 AM

2015-03-04T11:33:33-05:00

My wife would say the haircut, as I sported the flat top for the bulk of my 15 year break in service. However, the one I really struggled to break from was my expectation when it came to timeliness and overall commitment. I never really adjusted to the fact that the definition of "on time" is very different in the civilian world. I had a friend of mine that I worked with for years. I fired him because he was late (again) and not doing what was expected of him. He was one of our top salespeople and the general manager brought him back the next day. He still told the story of how I had been the only one that fired him in his entire career, right up until his death. The way he described my absolutely flipping out on him would have you rolling on the floor. He was from Barbados and the combination of the accent and an amazing sense of humor made for a heck of a combination. RIP Kenjo Mon.

Response by Cpl Bo Dronet made Mar 5 at 2015 2:12 PM

2015-03-05T14:12:06-05:00

I think the physical training and the cursing

Response by Sgt Frank Rinchich made Mar 17 at 2015 11:17 AM

2015-03-17T11:17:41-04:00

I have been out 57 years and I don't think I have dropped anything. I fall in the category once a Marine always a Marine.

Response by LCpl Philip Hollen made Mar 20 at 2015 9:21 PM

2015-03-20T21:21:14-04:00

Lead off with my left foot. Still laugh about it too.

Response by PO1 Wes Boyd made Mar 20 at 2015 9:27 PM

2015-03-20T21:27:51-04:00

I still ask for a mercy flush when I walk into the head...and I still call it a head.

I also have difficulty carrying anything in my right hand, I also keep my gig lone squared away, have to wear a white tee-shirt and a belt. I finally am able to not have 45 days worth of undergarments and 90 days worth of hygiene supplies stowed away. That took almost 10 years to break out of.

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Jul 15 at 2017 5:19 PM

2017-07-15T17:19:42-04:00

Lead with left foot.
Carry stuff in left hand.
Backpack straps tucked in.
Camping...can break down camp and be mobile < 5 min
On time is late
Gig line
Shoes
Buttons buttoned
T-shirt under shirt...everyday
...there is probably more...those come to mind

Fun question!

Response by SPC Bill Blauser made Jul 22 at 2020 2:27 PM

2020-07-22T14:27:29-04:00

I still eat way too fast, like back in boot camp. My closet and dresser aren't up to Drill Sergeant standards, but not too bad.

Response by SGT Darryl Dykes made Oct 23 at 2020 1:47 PM

2020-10-23T13:47:03-04:00

Making my bed 1st thing I do