You Know You're A Veteran When...

SGT Christopher Churilla — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 12:18:36 -0500

So I'm at a friend's house and he has a lady friend over who has a young son. He is watching a show called "Bob the Builder" and one character says "I'll take the saw." I immediately think of the M249 rather than the tool.

Anyone else have a similar experience?

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 12:24 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 12:24:24 -0500

When you still don't walk on the grass.
When you want a drowsy person to stand up and move to the back of the room in a college class or staff meeting.
when you make your kids do Front-Back-Gos

Response by MSgt Daniel Attilio made Dec 5 at 2015 12:30 PM

MSgt Daniel Attilio — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 12:30:50 -0500

When "Revilie at 0530" is thethe habitual statement to inform that we need to be awake by 6AM

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 5 at 2015 12:51 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 12:51:04 -0500

You see REMFs wherever you go, particularly the DMV.

Response by SGT Joseph Schmalzel made Dec 5 at 2015 1:41 PM

SGT Joseph Schmalzel — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 13:41:23 -0500

It happens from time to time.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 3:07 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 15:07:03 -0500

When I punctuate an explanatory statement with "tracking?" and I am met with cartoonish blank stares and silence. :)

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 11:36 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 23:36:07 -0500

Someone asks for the time, and I tell them it is 1300. Or, when I look at someone in uniform, and notice that their shoes need to be polished, or they need a haircut.

Response by SSG Michael Hartsfield made Dec 5 at 2015 11:42 PM

SSG Michael Hartsfield — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 23:42:48 -0500

When you fight the urge to tell a civilian to get in the front leaning rest for be overly stupid

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 4:40 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 04:40:58 -0500

Still blow the horn when backing up in your personal vehicle! When you say chow instead of supper/dinner!

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Dec 6 at 2015 9:41 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 09:41:48 -0500

SGT Christopher Churilla When your children know exactly what you mean if you say "Ready,Seats" even though you have been out of the military for many years.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 12:43 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 12:43:41 -0500

you say, 'I'll get it squared away." and they look at you like you have 6 eyes.

Response by SSG Clarence Blackburn made Dec 7 at 2015 3:50 PM

SSG Clarence Blackburn — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 15:50:10 -0500

When your having a discussion with your family and everyone starts getting loud and you yell "AT EASE", and the room falls silent.

Response by PO1 Don Roberts made Feb 28 at 2016 4:41 PM

PO1 Don Roberts — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 16:41:27 -0500

When you break into a march step walking with other veterans.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 5:53 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 17:53:59 -0500

When ever someone says you can't fix stupid, and the first thing that comes to mind is " No, but you can beat it black and blue."

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Feb 28 at 2016 6:01 PM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 18:01:44 -0500

You know you are a veteran when you see the American Flag moving in the wind. You know you are a veteran when you hear the Marine Hymn and it fills you with pride. You know you are a veteran when you thank a decorated member of the military for their service to our country in either Iraq or Afghanistan. You know you are a veteran when you try to slng along when the Star Spangled Banner is sung at sporting events..You know you are a veteran when you almost salute an officer at a Military event..
I just know I am a veteran and at my age (80) I am thankful for all our military has accomplished since I came on the scene in 1935... And I know I am a veteran because it is something that nobody can take away from me. I earned the title of Veteran and I feel sorry if anyone has a problem with that title ..

Response by SSgt Jamie Ritter LeBlanc made Feb 28 at 2016 6:05 PM

SSgt Jamie Ritter LeBlanc — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 18:05:05 -0500

My husband took me to a commissioning ceremony. I'm hanging out talking to the friends and family (a lot of Texans in NYC). A cadet calls the room attention and I go right to attention in 3 inch heels. I'd been out for 9 years! Old habits die hard!

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2016 7:19 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 19:19:46 -0500

you tell people they are " Squared Away" all the time.

Response by 1SG David Spalding made Feb 28 at 2016 7:24 PM

1SG David Spalding — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 19:24:50 -0500

I introduced my office to BLUF. Every time I have to send a policy update, I would get a million questions that were covered in the email. So, I sent an introductory email explaining BLUF. Now when I send alerts, policy updates or changes, they all start with BLUF - much fewer stupid questions.

Response by SPC John Taylor made Feb 29 at 2016 6:43 AM

SPC John Taylor — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 06:43:53 -0500

I use my last name for everything. I also tend to go to attention whenever talking to someone I don't know. And always where a hat outside and take it off indoors.

Response by SSG Carl Keene made Feb 29 at 2016 9:48 AM

SSG Carl Keene — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 09:48:18 -0500

Been retired for coming up on nine years and still reply Roger-Wilco when someone asks me to do something for them. When my boys were growing up I used to put them at the position of attention while I "spoke " to them after screwing up, I only made them do pushups a few times; saved those for the big mistakes. I also still remove my cover whenever I enter a building.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Feb 29 at 2016 11:21 AM

SGT Philip Roncari — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 11:21:27 -0500

When you automatically come to Attention and try not to choke up at the playing of the National Anthem even after leaving the Military 48years ago

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 11:24 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 11:24:33 -0500

When instead of saying "What?" you say "Say Again?" I use that way too often now.

Response by LCpl Mark Riley made Feb 29 at 2016 1:56 PM

LCpl Mark Riley — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 13:56:27 -0500

When you say " gas gas gas"and you don't mean fuel then they understand

Response by SGT Richard H. made Feb 29 at 2016 3:08 PM

SGT Richard H. — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 15:08:15 -0500

You still sometimes say "Out here" before hanging up the phone.
You tell one of your employees that he needs to "un-f@^k" himself. (got a pretty confused look on that one)

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 3:08 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 15:08:23 -0500

I know I'm a veteran when I'm teaching a high school class, using phrases like "we tracking", "good to go" and my personal favorite "alright, let's break this down Barney-style". My classroom management usually consists of using a command voice to overpower any conversations that may be going on- clapping, or tricks to get students to pay attention, I just bellow out "alright, listen up!" And it gets quiet. I also know I am a veteran when I don't use a single swear word all day, then the second I get in the car the first thing that comes out of my mouth is some iteration of the f-word.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 3:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 15:27:01 -0500

When McDonald's messes up your cheeseburger and you tell the drive through "I'm gonna rip the eyes out of your head and piss into your dead skull! You @)*&* with the wrong Marine!"

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 4:27 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 16:27:04 -0500

My mother has been out nearly 30 years. She still won't walk on grass or carry anything in her right hand lol!

Response by PO3 Chris Scheide made Feb 29 at 2016 11:10 PM

PO3 Chris Scheide — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 23:10:23 -0500

You tell your shop students to "turn to" and you just get that empty stare or you tell them that you don't want to see anything but "assholes and elbows" and they look at you really weird

Response by LCpl Daryl Anderson made Mar 1 at 2016 9:18 AM

LCpl Daryl Anderson — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:18:31 -0500

When you use the (correct) phonetic alphabet when giving a alpha/numeric serial number or you tell your boss you'll be in at 0700.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 9:41 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:41:02 -0500

I still tell people I am popping smoke in 10, I ask what chow is served at the LZ, when tasking people I ask if they are trackin', make my kids do burpees for punishment, a 5K is a fun run, I give directions by heading and distance in clicks, and have used the phases "I have seen monkey S**t fights as zoo's more organized than this," "such a clusterf**k," and "this is why we don't have nice things, dumba**," quite often. I refer to people regarding speed, drag, and if warranted, torgue (low speed, high drag, but high torgue). Time is always on the 24hr clock, rally points, objectives, etc are always established before, during, and after trips. I yell FRAGO when I change plans, and I never say I want a gun, its always weapon, firearm, or by nomenclature.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 11:15 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 11:15:27 -0500

at work, you're waiting for them to call everyone in for a piss test, just you know, because...and it doesn't happen....

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 1:40 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 13:40:40 -0500

Your at a ballgame and they play the National Anthem and some jack off in front of you does not remove his hat. You ask and then remove. Yes, I've been in trouble before...LOL

Response by SGT James Allen made Mar 1 at 2016 3:33 PM

SGT James Allen — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 15:33:14 -0500

You know you are a Veteran when you tell someone they are "10 up and 2 down" and they give you the deer in the headlight look.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Mar 2 at 2016 1:30 PM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 13:30:52 -0500

You know you're a veteran when the job interview panel asks you what you look for in a working environment and you answer....High ground and 360 degree security.