Don’t you agree that there’s always something that makes a soldier stand out? Something like how they stand or how they walk or simply how they carry themselves while they go about their daily lives? They say that a soldier never actually stops being one. Here is a list of things that those who have served in the military can relate to.
Floor = Bed
Basic training teaches soldiers to get used to sleeping anywhere. Civilians may think that it’s just the floor, but to a soldier, it’s their bed. Their buddy’s shoulder can be as good as any pillow. What’s more, soldiers have the incredible ability of getting up from deep sleep and being at attention within seconds.
Floor = Bed
Ironing Boss
Soldiers always make sure to fold and iron their uniform. Have you ever seen a soldier who is wearing a creased uniform? That’s right, never because that isn’t their style. Soldiers are presentable all the time.
Ironing Boss
The Way You Walk
Ever wondered how you can tell if a person was once in the military? Just look at how the person walks. Soldiers walk with purpose and control. In addition, if you walk with someone who was in the military, you might have to speed up.
The Way You Walk
Military Time
“What time is it?” “It’s 14:00!” Whether you are still in the military or have already left the service, you still read and tell time like this. You think that there’s basically no need for AM or PM since you can count 24 hours.
Military Time
Your Hair
Civilians may get to choose the kind of haircut that they want, but all soldiers get the same buzz-cut. After discharge, former soldiers can have any kind of haircut, but most of them stick to what they are used to.
Your Hair
Scanning Situations
Right from the very start, soldiers are taught to scan and assess. They are on the lookout for anything that might be suspicious, and if they need to, they will act. Therefore, if your soldier partner starts rapidly scanning a room or the park, don’t be surprised.
Scanning Situations
Standing At Ease
You may think that when soldiers are “at ease”, it doesn’t seem like they feel very comfortable. However, standing in a specific way for several years makes a stance feel comfortable, even back in civilian life.
Standing At Ease
Sir And Ma’am
In the military, they teach soldiers to be respectful. Regardless of the person they are talking to, like the mailman, the servers at a restaurant, or their parents, soldiers address a man as ‘sir’ and a woman as ‘ma’am’.
Sir And Ma’am
Fast Eater
Soldiers have made themselves adapt to eating meals very quickly since they often have to be back at their post as soon as possible, or they are in survival mode while in a war zone. You should know that it won’t be easy for those who were once in the military to revert to their eating style before they started to serve.
Fast Eater
Military Jargon
“Affirmative”, “negative” and “roger that” are some expressions that you have probably heard in films and video games. Soldiers actually speak like this and they continue to do so even after they are discharged. It’s like learning a new language. Once you have learned it, it is difficult to let go.
Military Jargon
Polished
Soldiers know the importance of looking presentable, as we’ve said. Actually, their boots are among their most important items of clothing. Soldiers choose to spend time and effort into making their shoes shine.
Polished
Your Fridge
For many families, the fridge is a spot for putting up photos and reminders, but for soldiers, it’s a bit different. Usually, soldiers put up military souvenirs or war memorabilia on their fridge. If you see their fridge, you would probably know right away that they were in the military.
Your Fridge
Saluting
If you’re wondering why someone saluted you, then maybe that person was once in the military and simply saying hello. Saluting is a common greeting for soldiers, so letting it go is a bit hard for them. Next time this happens to you, just salute back.
Saluting
No Kitchen
“Kitchen? What’s that?” What we meant to say was ‘the mess’. In spite of how tidy and neat a kitchen is, a soldier will always refer to it as THE MESS.
No Kitchen
Call Of Duty
Soldiers enjoy playing Call of Duty just like any civilian does. However, soldiers know that the game is nowhere near as intense as the real thing. Carrying six rifles and one grenade launcher is a breeze… in a game.
Call Of Duty
Black paint or ‘Boot-Topping’?
Boot paint and boot-topping are practically the same as far as military personnel is concerned. However, boot-topping is actually used to lather between the waterline and the deck. What’s more, lime or sulfur is used in making it and the consistency is thick and liquidy. Civilians may never even notice that black paint and boot-topping are different, but an expert military eye won’t be fooled even from a mile away.
Black Paint Or ‘Boot Topping’
Quiet In Line
People who have been in the military stand in line quietly and do not make a ruckus. This comes from basic training. Soldiers stand in line and in controlled silence before they enter the mess hall or while they wait for orders. In civilian life, they do the same while waiting for the bus or the ATM.
Quiet In Line
Checking Your Car
In the military, the key to being safe is discipline. Prior to going out on a mission, soldiers must check the vehicle they are using to make sure it is prepared as well as safe, be it a fighter jet, a helicopter, or an APC or armored personnel carrier. Even after discharge, this habit persists and they check their own private vehicle.
Checking Your Car
Home Chore List
A chore list can definitely help someone get things done. In the military, everyone is reminded of what they are supposed to do because of a chore list. In a way, it makes sure that things get done. If someone doesn’t do their assigned chore, then they are held accountable. At home, soldiers adopt the same method.
Home Chore List
Skip The Fireworks
There’s nothing wrong with beautiful popping fireworks in the sky, right? Well, not exactly. If a soldier has been in a battle zone, they might not have very good memories of those bangs. Soldiers have enough experience of the real kind of fireworks during their deployment.
Skip The Fireworks
Power Stance
Soldiers don’t only walk a particular way but they stand a particular way as well. They have a power stance typically based on their rank. You can certainly feel the confidence in a soldier’s posture when you are around them.
Power Stance
Your Squad
The men and women who accompany a soldier in the battle zone are a few of the most important people in the life of the soldier. Together, they are all responsible for keeping each other safe. The insults and curses that they hurl at each other don’t really matter. They have a lot of love and trust for each other.
Your Squad
Speaking In A.C.R.O.N.Y.M.S.
Speaking in acronyms is an aspect of the military way. You might hear words from a soldier’s mouth, but you likely won’t understand them. WAG, SNAFU, and BOHICA…No? Well, you likely haven’t been in the military.
Speaking In A.C.R.O.N.Y.M.S.
Honking Twice
In the military, honking twice is the standard practice for warning others when you’re backing up. Going back to civilian life, former soldiers tend to do this out of habit.
Honking Twice
The Flag
Since the American flag is the whole American nation’s symbol, it deserves great respect. Soldiers immediately stand and even salute at times as the flag is being raised. No knee-droppers here, for sure.
The Flag
Back To The Wall
When your back is to the wall, it doesn’t mean you have nowhere else to go. Actually, it means you’re safe since there is no need to look behind you and you can just focus on watching out for threats in front of you. Soldiers usually choose a seat right in front of a wall even when they are in civilian life.
Back To The Wall
Hospital Corners
Soldiers are big on neatness and their beds are a reflection of that. “Hospital corners” ensure all the beds are neat and look the same. What did you expect? It is a bed uniform!
Hospital Corners
War Movie Frustration
If a Hollywood war film annoys a soldier, don’t get too surprised. As you may already know, it can never be exactly how they’ve experienced things. However, this doesn’t mean soldiers can never enjoy an action film. It’s just that the can see the incongruities.
War Movie Frustration
Whistling In The Loo
If you hear someone whistling while they’re peeing in the next stall at the restroom, they have likely been in the military. While the origins of this musical tradition remains a mystery, it is common practice in the military.
Whistling In The Loo
Knife Hands
Have you heard of a knife hand? Some people make this hand when explaining something. All the fingers are aligned and the hand is tight and flat. After discharge, former soldiers still use this gesture when giving directions.
Knife Hands
Getting Up Early
If a former soldier says that they slept in, they likely mean that they woke up at 7 am. Getting up early stems from basic training. Then, they continue to have the habit on deployment and it kind of sticks forever.
Getting Up Early
Popping Smoke
Just like what you see in films, soldiers “pop smoke” in order to create a shield or diversion. They do this to be able to move into position. If a soldier is not in the military and says that they’re “popping smoke”, they usually mean they’re leaving.
Popping Smoke
Tabasco Sauce
Military food isn’t exactly the best but soldiers have found a way to cope. Whether the food is dry or liquid, their answer is Tabasco sauce. Soldiers swear by it.
Tabasco Sauce
The National Anthem
When the Star Spangled Banner comes on, you might see a tear or a twinkle in the eyes of a soldier. A soldier’s life has the national anthem as its soundtrack. For them, it’s no longer just the music of the flag.
The National Anthem
Always Early, Never Late
Some people may like coming “fashionably late” to events but for military people, this is a total “no-no”. Soldiers are never late. They arrive at an event usually 15 minutes early. Soldiers understand that time is accountability.
Always Early, Never Late
No Explanations
While some people may give explanations, soldiers give briefings. Military people don’t see the purpose of speaking for too long. They also don’t see why too much information and too much emotion have to be included when it is possible to just go straight to the point.
No Explanations
Workout Music
For former soldiers, “cadence” will always get them in the mood for a run or workout. No matter how they feel, “cadence” will always represent hard work and motivation.
Workout Music
Your Gun
Every person who has ever served with a gun is aware that their weapon has become practically a body part. Wherever they go, their gun goes too. This is why once they finish their service, they will feel as if their gun is still with them.
Your Gun
Losing Your Gun
Speaking of the feeling that your gun is still with you, former soldiers sometimes even dream that they lost their gun, though this sounds more like a nightmare really. They then wake up and remember they don’t carry a gun anymore.
Losing Your Gun
Phonetic Alphabet
Soldiers have the tendency to spell out words using the military phonetic alphabet. Rather than saying the letter “a”, they will say “alpha” and “omega” instead of “o”. You might have even heard them talking right next to you, yet you didn’t understand anything.
Phonetic Alphabet
Short Showers
In the military, there is basically no time for long luxurious showers. There is simply no time for them. If showers weren’t a necessity, they would not exist. Post-service, former soldiers bring this habit to civilian life.
Short Showers
Sunglasses
Those who are or were in the service feel more comfortable sporting sunglasses. Whether the sun is up or not, their sunnies will be pressed on their face.
Sunglasses
Talking During The Anthem
When people speak while the national anthem is on, it drives soldiers crazy because they find it disrespectful. We can only imagine how they feel like but we’re glad they don’t have their weapon on their person.
Talking During The Anthem
Towards Danger
Whatever kind of danger is happening, former and current soldiers will always rush towards the danger and never away from it. This means generally helping people. Soldiers always take on responsibility in if a situation calls for it.
Towards Danger
“Say Again”
If someone says “say again” instead of “excuse me” or “pardon me”, then that person is most likely a soldier. After discharge, those who were in the military will still have this habit.
“Say Again”
Finding The Exits
Training teaches soldiers to find and know the exit points upon walking in a situation. A soldier will never drop this habit and you can be sure that they know every possible exit, just in case.
Finding The Exits
Right Hand Free
Soldiers always keep their dominant hand free. Their habit is to always keep their “strong” hand available no matter where or when. Sorry ladies, your man will have to offer his left hand to you. At least you know he will always be ready.
Right Hand Free
Hands In Pockets
You can easily spot a former or current soldier by looking at whether their hands are in their pockets. Soldiers rarely place their hands inside their pockets since they are always prepared for anything that may occur. You can often see their hands are on their hips and they are standing in a power stance.
Hands In Pockets
Quiet During Announcements
Soldiers show respect all the time, so they are quite while receiving orders. Therefore when an announcement goes off, like at a baseball game or at the supermarket, soldiers can be expected to stand quietly, at attention, and listen to the announcement.
Quiet During Announcements
Alternative Routes
Were you ever curious about why your friend from the military always seems to have mapped out several different routes wherever you go? That’s because soldiers always plan other routes. They never rely on a single route in case disaster strikes.
Alternative Routes
Brass To The Grass
“Brass to the grass” is a term which only soldiers will be familiar with. Those who have never been in the military will probably have no idea what it means, but soldiers will likely use it long after they have left the service.
Brass To The Grass
Gig Line
Soldiers are all about perfection, so it makes sense that in their daily lives, the “gig line” exists. It is the alignment of the uniform shirt’s seam, the uniform trouser fly-seam, and belt buckle. All of these should be in a perfectly straight line.
Gig Line
No Word Is Gold
Those who have been in the military are well aware that there isn’t any word that is the “end all be all”. Basically, there isn’t anything going on until something is actually going on. This means there isn’t anything set in stone. Things can change within a second.
No Word Is Gold
Last Names
Soldiers may not be aware of their comrade’s first name since they usually call each other by their last name. Joseph Cooper? The guy would be known in the military as Cooper.
Last Names
Soldier Or Not
Long after leaving the service, former soldiers will still have the habits and behaviors they developed while in the military. Even if they try very hard, they won’t be able to shake these things which give them their status as a soldier.
Soldier Or Not
Shot Joints
When joining the military, soldiers are trained to be perfect, fit as a fiddle. However, after discharge, the story is completely different. Former soldiers may silently curse the organization due to the lifetime joint pain that they acquire.
Shot Joints
You’ve Got An Ex
It is no easy feat to wait around day in day out for your spouse to come back home from war. Servicemen and women get divorced because the stress becomes too much to handle for loved ones. Don’t be surprised if you meet veterans with a number of failed relationships.
Youve Got An Ex
Fast Dresser
Even if you ask really nicely, the enemy won’t wait for you to get ready if they strike at night. Therefore, soldiers have to be ready always. The fact that they just have one outfit (camo) makes them very fast dressers.
Fast Dresser
Some Vitamin M
Have you heard of Vitamin M? If you haven’t, we can’t blame you because this pill just exists in the military. When soldiers fall sick, they can’t really “take a sick day”, so they take a Motrin and continue fighting. When they aren’t feeling 100%, the soldiers’ best friend is Vitamin M.
Some Vitamin M
Water Too
Water is pretty much an alternative to Vitamin M since both are miracle workers. Therefore, it doesn’t matter whether you have a stomachache, a headache, strep throat, a hernia, or a missing leg, water is your go-to. Water can fix whatever Vitamin M cannot.
Water Too
Chopper Differences
Military children can easily differentiate between helicopters, but non-military kids will just call the flying thing a helicopter. “Son, is it a Blackhawk, an Apache, or a Chinook?” Military kids always know the answer.
Chopper Differences
Time Away
Deployment can mean several weeks, months, or even years away from your loved ones. People in the military can get so accustomed to being away for so long that times goes by in a second for them. Don’t be surprised if someone in the military says their time away felt like hours, not months.
Time Away
Worst Case Scenario
Soldiers learn to think of the worst case scenario in the military. This enables them to think fast if a situation was to turn ugly. They’ll think of the worst case scenario at a family reunion or while checking out at the mall.
Worst Case Scenario
Skype Is Reality
While nothing beats meeting loved ones in person, video chatting definitely comes in second. Phone calls are great when you want to hear someone’s voice, but Skype is your best bet if you want to feel like you’re with the person. You can see soldiers on Skype while important life events are happening, like their baby being delivered.
Skype Is Reality
Special Laundry
Clothes are not light and dark anymore, but “cammies” and “others”. Soldiers separate their camouflage clothing from those that are not. This actually makes us wonder what setting they choose on the washing machine to preserve their uniforms.
Special Laundry
Too Quiet
Soldiers quickly get used to sleeping through basically anything. Those who were once in the military often find it hard to fall asleep if it’s too quiet, which is why they fall asleep with a blaring TV.
Too Quiet
AC Or No AC?
In the military, air conditioning doesn’t exist…they just learn to live with very high temperatures! After discharge, a former soldier will either continue to survive without it, or they won’t be able to live without it. Let them turn it down to a chilly 65 degrees. They’ve live their lives without it for so long.
AC Or No AC
Medal Of Dishonor
Who likes liars? That’s right, no one but soldiers dislike them even more. Don’t even attempt to fool soldiers into thinking that you served even though you didn’t. That battle is nearly impossible to win.
Medal Of Dishonor
Hats For The National Anthem
All military have an issue when people do not remove their hats during the national anthem, or just sit through it. We don’t really know how all of them felt when NFL players started kneeling during the anthem, but it’s safe to say some of them were probably not pleased.
Hats For The National Anthem
Motivational Videos
Motivational videos on YouTube get you pumped up. The videos must include epic music, though, and a lot of action, such as the military kicking butt and some shooting. What’s more, they must have the theme of never quitting.
Motivational Videos
Earplugs
If you were once in the military, you may regret not having used earplugs more. These days, you have noticed that you tend to ask others to repeat things more often than you used to. You’re probably thinking earplugs could have prevented this.
Earplugs
Tight
According to Business Insider, JesterOne says, “I’ve been out of the Navy for 16 years now and I still check my gig line.” For the uninitiated, gig line means the alignment of a soldier’s cover, tie, shirt buttons, zipper, and belt whenever they are in uniform. However, that can be carried on to civilian life as well.
Tight
Pick Up Your Feet
When you walk, pick up your feet because you are just aggravating in every way if you don’t. Dragging your feet on the floor is simply not necessary in any given situation.
Pick Up Your Feet
Shake It Off
It’s either you give a firm handshake or do nothing at all – there is no middle ground. This follows you in the military and back in civilian life as well. Besides, we should all follow this rule.
Shake If Off
At All Times
It doesn’t matter where you’re going, you always have water and some snacks on you. Even if you’re just going to the grocery store, you’re prepared for anything. After all, anything can happen. You feel better when you’re ready.
At All Times
The Same Way Twice
A former soldier will not take the same route again. Even if it is just going to the bank or to their child’s school, it’s not gonna happen.
The Same Way Twice
Every Morning
Making your bed every morning has become something you feel like doing. It’s true that it was a given while you were serving since it was a rule that you had to follow. However, now, doing it makes you feel some sense of accomplishment.
Every Morning
Fit As A Fiddle
You exercise every day. This creates endurance and teaches you patience, and you learn to stick to goals as well. This mindset was shaped by the military, you continue to stick to it in civilian life since it helps you in everyday life.
Fit As A Fiddle
Battle Rhythm
You set a battle rhythm and execute it. According to a published and approved dictionary that has terms used in the U.S. Department of Defense, a battle rhythm is “a deliberate daily cycle of command, staff, and unit activities intended to synchronize current and future operations.” Basically, it means you doing your daily or weekly routine. This means you are in battle rhythm when you make your bed every day or when you exercise on a daily basis – a sure-fire way to achieve success.
Battle Rhythm
Keep Calm
Whatever kind of crisis hits, even a meltdown from your child who can’t find their keys or is unable to tie their shoes, you’re the master at keeping calm. You didn’t lose it on the battlefield, so you aren’t about to give in to the pressures of regular life. Whatever it is that goes wrong, you don’t lose your cool.
Keep Calm
Super Human
Camaraderie is definitely among the most important military rules. It is very important that everybody got each other’s backs, especially at times when things go wrong. Now, this has become second nature to you, at home, at the office, anywhere and everywhere. You always make sure to help others out.
Super Human
Praise
The military said always praise in public, and that’s what they have been doing. Whenever you did a good job, you were told while people were around. Now, you also do it at home, with your child, your partner, your neighbor and so on.
Praise
Privacy
If we talk about praise, we really should not forget to discuss the other end of the spectrum. If someone messes up, things are dealt with in private. This wasn’t always how it was in the military – those who didn’t make their bed correctly can attest to that, though for the most part, people get told off in private. Now, you still do it even with civilians.
Privacy
On Your Feet
If someone is talking to you, you stand. Even if they just ask about what you would like them to get you from the store, you stand. Conversations, no matter how short and simple, mean being on your feet.
On Your Feet