Question For You Vets , Especially Marines

[cherrypointmarine]

We have a towel warmer , and I was putting the towels on it a little while ago . I folded them and put them on the rack in the proper Marine Corps way . I still find myself doing the things I was taught in boot camp in 1976 . My wife gets so mad , she can tell me something over and over and I'll forget or do it another way . But if it's something like folding towels or t-shirts , stay out of my way , I'll do it the RIGHT way .

Do any of you vets find yourselves doing things the way you were taught in boot camp ? It's like I don't even think about it , I just do it . I'm sure AJ will weigh in , can't wait to see his answer , the Corps had him for over 20 years .

 

[ameridaddy]

I still make my bed, but I haven't bounced a quarter off it for ~ 60 years.

 

[erikpolcrack]

Our hand and dish towels on racks in the kitchen are the big problems for me and my wife. The Army hammered into me the rule that anything folded or on a rack was to be displayed so that the minimum number of folds would be seen by the inspecting officer. My wife caught me re-arranging the towels several times and asked me to explain. It got a little surreal when I explained to her the reason for the re-folding/re-hanging and how I came up with the direction the inspecting officer would approach from.

 

[Smoke]

I still do hospital corners when I make the bed but I learned that from my mother who was a nurse long before I joined the Army.

I roll up my t-shirts and put them in the dresser drawer like I did in the Army.

That's kinda it

 

[Rustyt1953]

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.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

My second son was a Boot in the summer of 1999 on the East Coast's Sand Bar. He still does many things the way the DIs taught him. His 4 year daughter is doing many things the way the DIs taught him. His wife of 10 years has learned to do things the way the DIs taught him! Now he will start on the 1.5 year old son. I don't see James being able to change a proven system!

At our Easter Family Reunion, my son's poncho liner was laying on the couch after late night movie viewing. My wife went to fold it and move it out of the way. The 4-year-old ran over and stood between her and the liner. "You never touch another man's gear!" Anne says, "That's daddy's Marine Corps Coat, no one it to touch Daddy's Marine Corps coat!"

So yes, the spirit of the DIs lives on.

Ivan

 

[pantannojack]

I lace my boots left over right and that is all. OCD is a mental disorder. But I do believe some of the no room for individuality was so infiltrating imposters could be seen right away. They had some German imposters at the Battle of the Bulge time masquerading as MP's changing road signs and assassinating officers in their Jeeps.

 

[SMSgt]

When my Seabee dad died at 87, we found his t-shirts folded in 8-inch squares in a nice, neat row. I'm not so meticulous but still like things organized.

 

[Rotorhead1026]

I still make my bed, but I haven't bounced a quarter off it for ~ 60 years.

That would have been a 100% silver quarter.

 

[Jebus35745]

I know a Marine is a Marine forever. I was in the Navy at the end of Vietnam and couldn't wait to get out. I was proud of serving but left all the military stuff behind me. I got in trouble once on the Carrier for calling a ladder stairs, didn't want to be there I guess. Larry

 

[UncleEd]

When in the Army, I did most things
the Army way. After the Army I did
things my way which definitely was
not the Army way. Draftee mentality.

 

[Abbynormal]

PFC= Praying for civilian

 

[steelslaver]

Hats and gig line are about it, that an not liking to be called sir

 

[CH4]

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

 

[steelslaver]

I stand when addressed by another person, I always give deference to those of higher rank (ladies, elderly, handicapped, and anyone courteous), and always look for ways to be of service. I was very lucky, I got more from the Army than they got from me.

Sounds to me like the world got plenty from your service

 

[Muley Gil]

My wife wants to fold my tee shirts. I roll 'em up. I keep my gig line straight. And I always stand for the Marine's Hymn, even if it's on TV.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

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

 

[Weimar]

I was in 20 years as an Army MP, however many of my habits are still with me and some aren't, but it's alright.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I haven't checked my gig line in 49 years. Heck, it has been at least three decades since I've owned a button up shirt.

 

[Smoke]

The Army was something I did for a living for 15 years 20 years ago.

When I go to the VA I am SURROUNDED by people who are dressed head to foot in what I call "Thank Me For My Service" Gear. It's like their lives never progressed beyond their time in the Military.

I don't want to be that. I never want my life to revolve around the Army ever again.

 

[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?