Things you learned in the Armed Services that you still do

[mk2ja]

The Few. The Proud.

Hey MK2JA, what service you joining?

I resigned from the USMC in July. Yeah, I still do most of what everybody else does. Lacing boots the same way, eat fast, walk fast, phonetic alphabet, think in 24 hr time (though I convert it when I talk), DD Month YYYY.

I grew a beard, though, and let my hair grow a little.

I'm joining the Marines. I'm almost done with my degree, and I'm getting into shape to pass the PFT; got my hair cut short (prolly not short enough, though), and I stopped letting my facial hair grow out. As gunny Highway says in Heartbreak Ridge, "You start looking like Marines, you'll start feeling like Marines, and pretty soon, *goshdarn* it, you'll start acting like Marines." If everything goes according to plan, I should sign papers this spring, then be at OCS in June. After that, as you probably already know, will be TBS. Then finally I'll get to start pilot training. I'm really looking forward to joining the ranks of so many fellow Hoosiers and fine Americans in service to my country.


Caleb

 

[cce1302]

I'm joining the Marines.


Caleb

PM sent

 

[USMC_0311]

I'm joining the Marines. I'm almost done with my degree, and I'm getting into shape to pass the PFT; got my hair cut short (prolly not short enough, though), and I stopped letting my facial hair grow out. As gunny Highway says in Heartbreak Ridge, "You start looking like Marines, you'll start feeling like Marines, and pretty soon, *goshdarn* it, you'll start acting like Marines." If everything goes according to plan, I should sign papers this spring, then be at OCS in June. After that, as you probably already know, will be TBS. Then finally I'll get to start pilot training. I'm really looking forward to joining the ranks of so many fellow Hoosiers and fine Americans in service to my country.


Caleb

Semper Fi and God Bless, OCS Quantico brings back some memories. I was a PMI and did a little shooting there.

I still blouse my boots when in camo.
I make my family pull firewatch while camping
Wife uses broom stick or dog to wake me
I clean my weapons the same way, same stuff
Always hold the door for women and older folks
Never, ever stop looking around, scanning everything
Phonetic alphabet - check
Squared away - check
Same haircut but not as frequent
I still hear helicopters before anyone else does (sometimes I hear them and they never show up)
I drink a beer on November 10th
Not a day goes buy I don't think about something I did or place I have been, or a Marine I served with while I was in.
I am obsessed with having enough ammo its all most sickening

 

[phrozen5100]

Are you attending the two 6-week courses or the 10-week course? If you're attending the 10-week course, we may see one another.

I sometimes visit my home, near Fort Wayne, on the weekends, and I'd gladly help you with PT if you'd like to work on that PFT score.

I'm joining the Marines. I'm almost done with my degree, and I'm getting into shape to pass the PFT; got my hair cut short (prolly not short enough, though), and I stopped letting my facial hair grow out. As gunny Highway says in Heartbreak Ridge, "You start looking like Marines, you'll start feeling like Marines, and pretty soon, *goshdarn* it, you'll start acting like Marines." If everything goes according to plan, I should sign papers this spring, then be at OCS in June. After that, as you probably already know, will be TBS. Then finally I'll get to start pilot training. I'm really looking forward to joining the ranks of so many fellow Hoosiers and fine Americans in service to my country.


Caleb

 

[Markedup]

Because there is only one specialist rank. SP4, all the other specialist ranks went the way of the dinosaur before I joined in '85.

Thanks, Bill !
The book of things I don't know just
got shorter.I was discharged, after
three years active duty, in Jan., 1971,
and moved on. But,like the subject
of this thread, some attitudes and actions
become ingrained in us. I will no longer be
unjustly irritated by news reports and obituaries.
I was glad to make SP5, because our household
stuff was moved care of the military.

Mark

 

[zoglog]

I leave for army basic the second week of february! I will finish my degree when I get back, and then apply for OCS. I cannot wait to get some of these great habits!

 

[ATM]

I sometimes catch myself asking people to "say again" rather than "repeat" what they just said.

 

[jeremy]

Oh how I hate that word...

I don't think I have said repeat since the fall of '89.

I learned the hard way why not to say that word. Not because I used it to drop some hate on someone, one of my drills was a Redleg and would smoke the living h*ll out of you for saying it.

 

[JUMBO]

Yup My habits r still the same as alot of others, I still walk with a 30" step with the left foot first. still sport the low maintenance buzz cut. always check my gig line and always look for cables hanging off my garments.

 

[cce1302]

Are you attending the two 6-week courses or the 10-week course? If you're attending the 10-week course, we may see one another.

I sometimes visit my home, near Fort Wayne, on the weekends, and I'd gladly help you with PT if you'd like to work on that PFT score.

Good luck. Give my regards to the Quigley.

 

[indytechnerd]

Oh man...

Eat fast
"squared away" is a regular phrase for me
(when I have it) hair is off the ears.
I lace left over right (checked just now to be sure)
phonetic alphabet
military date format
gig line is straight
I've always said 'say again' rather than repeat or 'huh?' or anything like that
10 NOV is marked on my calendar and I make sure with pass on birthday wishes to appropriate folks.


...I've never served a day in my life. Does that make me crazy or what?

Maybe I just know a higher standard when I see it and it sticks with me.

Thanks to all of you, though.

Grandson to 2 WWII vets (European theater)
Son of a Vietnam vet.

 

[54chevyman]

As ex AF separated in 1971 I still have many Habits learned in basic. Gig line, walk with purpose, sir and mam, respect if they deserve it, always on time, buz cut left over from a year in SAC, keep track of tools on the job, a place for everything, everything in its place and lots more. Would not trade anything for the experience but 4 years was enough.

 

[joslar15]

Many of those already posted-eat fast, gig line, phonetic alpha, etc. Also, it bugs me when characters in the movies or on TV end a radio transmission with "Over and Out."

 

[kedie]

Also, it bugs me when characters in the movies or on TV end a radio transmission with "Over and Out."

Being in the Army has ruined military movies for me. My wife hates it too. I always point out how ate up the uniforms look, ribbons in the wrong place, women with a CIB, ect. They need to square themselves away, they look like a soup sandwich.

 

[mk2ja]

Many of those already posted-eat fast, gig line, phonetic alpha, etc. Also, it bugs me when characters in the movies or on TV end a radio transmission with "Over and Out."

My USMC OSO always ends our phone conversations with "Out."

 

[gmviso]

still check the gig line but in my old age have to now check to see if the zip is in the up position LOL :>)

You know, this is an interesting comment. When I was younger I could not believe that a man could get old enough to "forget" to raise his zipper. Now that I am old I "forget" to do so frequently.

 

[Rocko25]

For me, i am always at least fifteen minutes early to everything. i always put belt on the same way everytime..i cant to let my hair grow out. just being on time and get done what i need to go and do the best job i can is the main thing i have gotten from my 9 years of service.

 

[emclean]

hand point, guilty
arriving early, guilty
gig line, guilty
the H word, only when the extra volume is needed.
the kids also know that when they hear 'at ease the noise' that i am about to go militant on them.
haven't dropped the kids in a while, think i might have gotten that out of my system finely

 

[Militarypol21]

Still roll my socks.
Have the same haircut.
All my clothes are hung facing the same direction (2 finger width space between hangers)
I still eat way too fast to taste my food.
Still use the same prone shooting stance.

 

[ihateiraq]

i absolutely hate it when people do some of that stuff. if youre not on a radio, dont say out. dont say niner or tree. dont say roger. dont phonetically spell words to me. dont say hooah at any time. ever. dont tell me my doc martens have "snakes hanging out". i know theres a million more things people do that drive me bat****, but i cant think of any more off the top of my head.