A Question To Veterans

[justanobserver]

well, actually several.

I am a veteran, served 18 yrs total. Since I been out, I have noticed that some of that life is still with me today.

I still keep my hair short, I just cant leave the house and go downtown without a hat on, I still wake up before reville - errr - the alarm clock, I shave every day whether I am going to work (construction field) or any where else or just staying home on my day off, I still say some words or phrases that are military in every day general conversation without realizing it, catch myself checking my "gig line" when getting dressed for work, I still dream most the nights of the week of the time in and of its experiences. I did grow a goatee at least!

What I am curious about is are there any other veterans that still have some of the old habits from your time served? Do you still do some things now as you did then? Is it just me? And most important, do you miss it? would you be back in if you could? I think about it everyday. I miss it.

 

[Sybaris]

I did 22 in the Navy, retired in '03.
Though I haven't been out very long I must say I don't carry on quite as many behaviors as yourself. I have the dreams once in a while, say things that only another vet would recognize and conduct myself in a more "professional" manner than my landlubbing coworkers.
Yeah, I miss it in some respects, mostly the old days when it wasn't so sterile, PC, and corporate.

 

[Glaz]

What I am curious about is are there any other veterans that still have some of the old habits from your time served? Do you still do some things now as you did then? Is it just me? And most important, do you miss it? would you be back in if you could? I think about it everyday. I miss it.

I served 10 years in the Army, got out in '99. I do miss it at times, mostly the comaraderie and sense of purpose being a soldier gave. I sometimes have dreams about it, but I wouldn't go back in; that chapter of my life is done and its best to keep moving forward.

 

[justanobserver]

A lot or perhaps what I miss the most I think is what's been said - I miss the comaraderie, the tightness of your squad, I got close with the troopers I served with and I miss the bond. My ex (wife at that time) commented more than oncve she thought I was more marrried to my soldiers than to her. perhaps theres more truth in that than I ever realized.

As with Sybarius - the part I do not miss was the politics that one could never avoid as you rose up the ranks. hated it.

Perhaps this thread doesnt really have any purpose except for me to just express the nostalgic thoughts of a past thats gone but I just cant let it go. It was a very large part of my life as well as the first and only place where I ever really felt home.

anyhoos, maybe I might post some thoughts after a while.

 

[DrFate]

well, actually several.

I am a veteran, served 18 yrs total. Since I been out, I have noticed that some of that life is still with me today.

I still keep my hair short, I just cant leave the house and go downtown without a hat on, I still wake up before reville - errr - the alarm clock, I shave every day whether I am going to work (construction field) or any where else or just staying home on my day off, I still say some words or phrases that are military in every day general conversation without realizing it, catch myself checking my "gig line" when getting dressed for work, I still dream most the nights of the week of the time in and of its experiences. I did grow a goatee at least!

What I am curious about is are there any other veterans that still have some of the old habits from your time served? Do you still do some things now as you did then? Is it just me? And most important, do you miss it? would you be back in if you could? I think about it everyday. I miss it.

I still place my arms on the table so that my dish will not slide on to the deck. That has been decades ago.

 

[alonesoldier]

I only served five years in the Army, I got out at the beginning of 04 to start college. I still do all those things. Though I am starting to just now allow my hair to grow a little bit but I am a reservist so I can't let it grow much.

 

[walkin2e]

I am a veteran (16 years active duty + 5 reserves). I do miss the closeness we had as a team, and the many different people I met.

I still check my "gig" line, and if I see a thread hanging from my clothes, I remember that drill sergeant that always said, "What is that rope doing hanging from your shirt!".

I dream about Army things sometimes, especially about getting a new assignment, being deployed, and outprocessing my old duty station. I use military terms sometimes.

I still associate with other veterans and am the Chaplain of our local American Legion (where, believe it or not, I sometimes see the politics of the military).

Anyhow, I am proud to say I served and I salute all of you who also served.

walkin2e

 

[PastorMikeJ]

Amen!! I got out in '67 and still carry the training that I learned..

 

[Autumnleaf]

I got out in 98' after a 4 year hitch in the Marines. I often find myself not carrying things in my right hand, sporting a short haircut, and wistfully remembering the good ole days wearing the green tuxedo.

 

[justanobserver]

am reading the posts here and at least I know it aint just me! The other day I was at a store and needed to go the bathroom - I asked the lady where the head was, saw her puzzled look nd corrected it to the latrine - she still had this look, finally asked where the little boys room was and the look of recognition: "ahhh! its down the hall on the right, sir".

its funny how a few years of a different life can effect even the littlest of things for the rest of yours. My useage of the term head/latrine was just normal speach or so I thought. maybe I am just gettin old and weird (as my sons will say...)