Question For You Vets , Especially Marines

[timjake]

My wife and I were both Air Force. We still fold towels and t-shirts as we did in basic. A gig line not in order is anathema.

Habits die hard.

 

[fordson]

Yes, habits taught and acquired in the service stay with me still, especially the jargon, much to my wife's chagrin.

 

[6518John]

I would see him anywhere in about any situation, whether the horsetrack, a bar, a casino, a church or Wal-Mart and know he was a military man. I would guess a Marine or Airborne or from one of the special operator units.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I still check my gig line, although I am generally not picky about clothing. I have forsworn black shoes altogether. But the one thing that I NEVER do is to put down the lid of the toilet seat. I keep the toilet clean enough to let other folks see that it is clean.

 

[Golddollar]

I check my gig line regularly. Army 1967-71.

I was only in Air Force ROTC and I still check it.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

6518John , I'd know that face anywhere . Our Senior DI would hold up his picture and we had to say goodnight Chesty Puller every night .

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

When you serve for any length of time in any armed service regardless of branch or nation, there are certain things and habits that become part of you whether you realize it or not. Others notice it even if you do not.

You might bury/forget/try to distance yourself from it, but when situations call for it, you can snap right back into "military mode" without realizing it.

I stopped spitshining, 45 degree hospital folds, and folding clothing a certain way within about five years after getting out. Since I still wear a uniform, the gig line and military bearing are still there and used daily.

You might try, but the way you did things in the service is always there and will be for the rest of your life.

 

[Muley Gil]

I would see him anywhere in about any situation, whether the horsetrack, a bar, a casino, a church or Wal-Mart and know he was a military man. I would guess a Marine or Airborne or from one of the special operator units.

Lewis Burwell (Chesty) Puller, the finest Marine to ever pull on a boot. Private to Lt General, with FIVE Navy Crosses AND a DSC.

 

[OldYooper]

I am sure in the new woke Corps the gig line is worn on the back side.

 

[03hemi]

I can still iron the pleats in a cummerbund and brush with the grain on a smoking jacket.

Ruthie folds and puts my laundry away so I'm not messing with a proven formula.

Yeah, we're gonna need a picture of that?

 

[SMSgt]

I have folded my underwear since I graduated basic. I refuse!

I haven't even washed mine since then.

 

[Golddollar]

I haven't even washed mine since then.

TMI TMI TMI TMI

 

[Retired W4]

For me it's the time. Back planning my departure so to hit my designated arrival time. Of course, turning inbound to a LZ when there is one minute left in the artillery barrage, you don't want to be early. It's in the DNA after watching the "last rounds on the ground" 50 meters in front of you.