Reposted from Penguin MD
The United States Armed Forces consists of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps.
It is one of the most well-respected and hardest working military forces in the world. Some are proud to flaunt their vet gear while others prefer not to discuss it. Either way, we've collected the telltale signs that we know anyone served in the military can relate to.
A Bed Can Be Anything and Anywhere
All soldiers know that any amount of sleep is precious. Soldiers are pushed to their limits, both in training and deployment, even to the point where any flat surface can serve the same as a warm comfy bed.
Additionally, soldiers also develop the amazing ability to go from a deep sleep to fully functional with only a few minute's time.
Fresh-Pressed Clothes.
In addition to a huge range of skills that can be used in post-military life, soldiers also learn how to iron as every soldier understands the importance of a fresh-pressed uniform.
Walking the Walk
In addition to a huge range of skills that can be used in post-military life, soldiers also learn how to iron as every soldier understands the importance of a fresh-pressed uniform.
Those who served in the armed forces walk fast than the average civilian, stand tall, and walk with a sense of purpose. Soldiers always carry themselves with a sense of pride. The biggest giveaway of a soldier is definitely the walk.
What’s the Time?
You’re probably used to telling time with the AM/PM system if you’re from the US. The only time you won’t is if you’ve been in the armed forces where military time is the format used (unsurprisingly!).
The best example of this is 8:00 is 8:00 AM and 14:00 is 2:00 PM. Using this method is best for the military to keep everyone on the same page and avoid confusion.
Fresh Cut
People like to use their hair as a way to express themselves, whether it be with a bit of color or a full-blown mohawk.
In the military, however, everyone must adhere to the same buzzcut hairstyle in order to maintain a sense of uniformity. This is why you will not see different types of hairstyles on soldiers.
Always Listening
Life in the military teaches one to always be vigilant. While it’s important that everyone is aware of their surroundings, trained soldiers have a radar ingrained in their minds that keep them constantly checking and scanning what is going on around them.
Soldiers will be the first to notice something strange going on and take care of it immediately.
“At Ease, Soldier!”
There are two most basic drills commands that every soldier knows: “attention” and “at-ease”. In the civilian world, you won’t be commanded to attention with “ten-hut!”.
Instead, like many vets, it’s likely you’ll end up finding yourself in the “at-ease” stance in your normal, everyday life.
Yes Ma’am, No Sir
The military upholds one of the most important values: respect. Soldiers learn to address every man or woman as “sir” or “ma’am”, whether it be a salesperson, judge, or mailman.
This sign of respect is extended to everyone well-after life in the military. Respect is reserved for all people.
Eating and Survival
In civilian life, gathering around the dinner table and eating and talking for hours is a great way to spend time together. For soldiers, this is not an option.
During their active duty, eating is primarily for survival so they learn to finish their meals quickly. Some vets say that they can’t eat at a normal pace even long after their years of service.
Jargon of the Military
Most civilians have only heard these kinds of things in movies but veterans find themselves using these phrases long after being discharged.
A Bad Mouth
Stress often causes people to swear and use bad words.
Because being in the military can often put soldiers in stressful environments, they become all too familiar with the language that’s used around military bases. Most soldiers don’t really care though. You might even hear high ranking officials use swear words!
Polish Boots
We’ve already discussed how one of the most important parts of being a soldier is the uniform and making sure that it is wrinkle-free.
Another part of the head-to-toe appearance that is equally as important is fully-shined boots! It’s very common for soldiers to bring this rule over into their civilian life by making sure that their shoes are always polished to perfection.
Refrigerator Decorations
Many civilians practice hanging important and sentimental items to their refrigerators. Turns out that this is also a very common practice amongst soldiers who like to be reminded of nice memories while on duty.
Mementos that are commonly posted to a soldier’s fridge include any metals they’ve earned, photos of loved ones, military memorabilia, and drawings made lovingly by their children.
Saluting
Civilians often reenact a very infamous gesture that soldiers repeat multiple times a day while on duty: the salute. Soldiers learn the salute early in training and do this over and over again.
Eventually, it replaces any other greeting for soldiers because it becomes so routine. Some vets even catch themselves saluting by default in response to everyday greetings!
The Mess AKA the Kitchen
There are many military terms and special names on the base that one should really get familiarized with. In the military, one of the most common terms you will hear is “the mess”, which is used in place of the word kitchen.
Because the military jargon so often uses this term, it proves difficult for some soldiers to get out of this habit after they return to civilian life.
Call Of Duty in Real Life
Veterans can attest that Call of Duty is nothing like the real thing, even though many people feel they are getting a real military experience by playing such games.
Although soldiers might enjoy playing these types of video games, they want to be clear that military life is not a game.
No Fashion Allowed
If self-expression is important to you, you might have to give it up if you’re in the Navy.
When it comes to hairstyles, the Navy has very strict rules, specifically for women and long hair.
Submarines and Women
Even though submarines were created around the 1800s and used more frequently in the 1900s, women were banned from them until 2010! Now women are allowed to deploy to submarines.
Currently, around 80 female soldiers service in submarines. When it comes to privacy, there are plans in play to redesign vessels aiming to better accommodate privacy.
Top Secret Training of the Navy SEALS
The top special forces group that is known for its intensive training physical screening is the Navy SEALs.
The training takes place for seven grueling months at Imperial Beach, California and has a very high failure rate.
The Pull Up Test
The marines require that everyone maintain a certain level of physical fitness. To make sure a soldier is up to standard, they must take the pull-up test.
Before, both men and women were required to do pull-ups with women having to perform only 3 reps. Now, women are allowed to do a flexed arm hang in the placement of a pull-up. They can, however, gain extra points if they perform full pull-ups.
Adjusted Uniforms
It can be hard to be pregnant whilst serving in the military. That’s why the military now allows women who become pregnant to go home and stay home for a bit until after they’ve had the baby.
When it comes to the Navy, women can stay on the ship for up to 20 weeks pregnant. The Navy even developed special uniforms that accommodate pregnant women's changing bodies.
Being Off-Base
There’s one week where servicemen and women get to head to major cities for a good time and relaxation. The week is called Fleet Week, and soldiers are given vacation time to enjoy and spend time with family.
Service members in the Navy even get 30 paid days off!
Girl vs. Workout
The Navy SEALs training regimen is extremely difficult. Model Lauren Berlingeri did a 3-part YouTube video special to find out for herself.
Although she was able to keep up with the training routines, she confessed it was really tough. However, all the men she trained with were very impressed by her.
Torture as Training
One of the most controversial torture methods is waterboarding. The CIA used this method to investigate suspected terrorists.
Waterboarding is also included in the training of some elite units in the military. Although it eventually phased out, it’s alleged that the Navy SEALs used to do this as well.
Doggie Fighters
The Navy SEALs have some special members that we can’t forget about- military dogs! The breed of dog used by the SEALs is Belgian Malinois.
They are for being a smart breed and are trained to sniff out explosives. Military dogs go on all types of missions with the SEALs, including skydiving missions!
Women Soldiers
Women were not allowed to serve in combat positions until Defense Secretary Ash Carter allowed it in 2015.
Although it was controversial since some felt that only men should be fighters, Ash Carter’s decision did not sway.
The Real Stats
There are 1.4 million service members in the U.S. military, 15% of whom are female. You can find many female officers in the Navy, particularly serving in medical professions.
Currently, there is one female Marine Corps general and 21 women serving as Navy admirals.
A Pixelated Pattern
The Navy changed its original uniform pattern of solid lines and shapes to pixelated.
The reason for this is because the human brain has a harder time picking up camouflage in the form of non-solid lines like the ones printed in a pixelated uniform.
Aircraft Carriers
One of the most amazing inventions is the military’s aircraft carriers as they are able to hold fighter jets while floating in the ocean. Fighter jets can also take off and land on aircraft carriers.
Britain’s Navy has 54, France’s has 15, and the U.S. Navy’s fleet boats have a total of 81 aircraft carriers.
Beer and the Navy
It might take a second look to recognize a connection between the Navy SEALs and beer, but if you take the time you will see this pin, the “Special Warfare Insignia”, resembles the Anheuser-Busch logo.
This pin is pinned to SEALs’ uniforms and is referred to as the “Budweiser”, as the training course of the SEALs’ is called the “BUD/S” course.
Problems with Seal Team Six
The team responsible for capturing the terrorist behind 9/11 is known as Seal Team Six. Richard Marcinko, the man who led Seal Team Six at the time, also founded another organization called Red Cell.
Red Cell was responsible for finding holes within the military’s security system. Unfortunately, Marcinko faced problems when he was found misusing funds. He was given a Federal prison sentence of 21 months for defrauding the government.
Marines AKA The Devil Dogs
Marines have gathered many nicknames like “leathernecks” and “Devil Dogs” because they are known to be extremely tough.
The name “Devil Dogs” is said to have originated from WWI when the Germans referred to the Marines as Teufel Hunde- German for “Devil Dogs”. However, don’t worry, the Marines love dogs. Even the Marine Corps mascot is a bulldog!
Martial Arts and the Military
Because many martial art forms were created as a result of military training, the Marines developed their own type as well.
It’s known as the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. It encompasses a mixture of martial arts styles including kung fu, boxing, and krav maga. Marines can even earn belts through the program’s own ranking system.
Controlled by a Remote?
This is the Self Defense Test Ship. You might be amazed to learn that this massive ship isn’t controlled by sailors but by a remote!
This ship is used to test weaponry against attack drills without risking the lives of U.S. servicemen and women.
The Very First Female Infantry Officer
No woman has had the ability to pass the 13-week Marine Corps Infantry Officer Course until recently. We now have a woman who’s made history by breaking the glass ceiling.
Although she chose to remain anonymous, Commandant General Robert Neller praised her by saying that he is “proud of this officer”. She is surely the first of many tough women who will move on to become fighters for the United States.
A History in the Military
There are many famous celebrities who’ve previously served in the U.S. armed forces. The famous actor Humphrey Bogart, known for his role in Casablanca, served in the Navy in the 1920s.
Another celebrity, Stanley Burrel, also known as rapper MC Hammer, was in the Navy as well. And also the famous astronaut Neil Armstrong who, before his infamous journey to the moon, previously served as a Navy aviator.
Barbara Ives
Barbara Ives’ had a military family and grew up hearing her uncle’s Navy stories when she was a kid.
Despite much discrimination, because she was a woman, Barbara went on to become a member of the first female class allowed to join the U.S. Naval Academy. She was first in her class, which consisted of 80 women in a sea of over 1000 men, and served America for 26 years!
Privates Against the Military
Even though the Navy was created during the Revolutionary War, it was disbanded shortly after. Luckily, 20 years later the Navy was reformed by the government to help fight off pirates!
Barbary pirates were attacking merchant's vessels and Congress decided to step in. They sent out six warships and the rest is history.
A Marine’s Secret Life
Fitness model Shannon Ihrke now has 72,000 followers on Instagram and she can thank the military for it!
She joined the Marines when she was 19 and commented that the experience “pushed [her] body harder than [she] could have ever imagined”. She served for four years.
The Newest Navy Ship
The U.S. Navy now possesses a new ship (DDG1000) known as the USS Zumwalt. This stealth ship somewhat resembles the Star Wars Sith shape and easily cuts and glides through the water.
This shape also proves more difficult to be seen by enemies. Ironically, the name of the captain of the USS Zumwalt is James Kirk!
The Jackstaff
There is a flagpole called the jackstaff that sits on every USS boat. Every time a boat is docked on land, the jackstaff flies the flag with 13 stripes (known as the First Navy Jack) to represent the first colonies.
The First Navy Jack also features the phrase “DON’T TREAD ON ME” with an American rattlesnake.
Medicine in the Military
There exists a specialized set of medics for each branch of the military. They possess knowledge depending on which branch they are in. For example, medics ib the Air Force understand oxygen levels in the atmosphere.
Similarly, medics in the Navy must have a deep understanding of dissolved oxygen in the water, as well as water pressure. Often times they face decompression sickness, which is when a diver comes up too fast out of the water and feels sick.
Talk in the Navy
Being up to date with the current military jargon is critical. Every member of the armed forces knows this.
There are so many code terms in the Navy such as “the mess deck”, which one might think refers to the deck of the boat but is actually referring to the cafeteria. Other terms in the Navy include “port” and “starboard”, ways to say left and right, and the term “portholes” which means windows.
Presidents in the Navy
The Navy is notorious for taking young Americans and shaping them up into fine and outstanding citizens.
The Navy is also responsible for producing six U.S. presidents: former presidents Jimmy Carter, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and George H.W. Bush.
The Navy is notorious for taking young Americans and shaping them up into fine and outstanding citizens.
An Australian Prank
In 1957, a major prank was pulled on the USS Bennington ship which was docked in Sydney, Australia.
Ten Australian college students dressed up like pirates snuck onto the ship and made it to the bridge. The prank was revealed shortly after they jokingly announced the ship had been seized by pirates. Luckily for them, the Navy took it as a joke and the students didn’t get in any trouble.
The SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection
Program
The military witnessed a huge influx of women enlisting after the ban on women in combat roles was lifted. This was a historic move.
Since the Navy SEALs are known to be one of the toughest units in the military, it's no surprise that one woman who signed up for the SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection program ended up dropping out. This assessment is notorious for being critically tough for men and women alike.
Shiny Black Boots
As previously mentioned, combat boots must be shined properly. Having your uniform in perfect shape is one of the most important parts of being a soldier.
Boots can be touched up with either boot paint or boot-topping and although they might look like they do the same job, boot-topping truly makes them looked polished. However, only a trained military eye can spot the difference!
A Quiet Line
This can even become so ingrained in soldiers in their post-service life. For example, some have reported they can grow silent and aware simply standing in line at the grocery store.
Safety Checklist
Air Force members become extremely familiar with the drill to check aircrafts’ preflight checklist.
When you’re on base, this is an absolute necessity to ensure the utmost safety for both the passengers and pilot. Soldiers who return to civilian life often tend to do a similar check on their cars before driving as they are so used to the habit.
Organization Via Lists
Rules are critical to military life to make sure that maximum efficiency is
achieved. An important way of keeping track of important information and tasks is by organizing such things in lists.
This also means that soldiers follow a strict schedule. Soldiers often continue
this habit well into their life after service.
No Fireworks Please
Some people really love watching fireworks while others might find them uncomfortable.
Amongst those who might find fireworks uncomfortable are veterans: the sounds can sometimes trigger unpleasant memories from deployment. Fireworks can sound similar to what soldiers may have seen or heard during their time on tour.
The Power Pose
The “Power Stance” is a position immediately recognized by anyone in the Armed
Forces.
The position includes a person’s thumbs looped through their belt or their arms crossed across their chests in a dignified way. Vets occasionally find themselves in the “Power Stance” due to sheer habit, however, the response varies among a non-military crowd.
Tight Unit
Because soldiers are so far away from friends and family whilst being deployed, they often form strong bonds with their unit.
The squad becomes family and soldiers always have their unit’s back no matter what. These are lasting friendships that continue on years after service. The relationships are so strong that soldiers often refer to one another as “brothers and sisters”.
Say It Quickly
In addition to quick communication, acronyms also keep outsiders out of the conversation. Some acronyms include WAG, SNAFU, and BOHICA. Although they probably look like just random jumble to you, soldiers will immediately know what the meaning of these is.
Honking the Horn
There are so many everyday doings that we don’t give any thought to at all. For example, the honking of a car horn. Civilians often honk their car horns out of frustration rather than how they’re honking. In the military, honking the horn is an unspoken language.
Anyone driving in the military must honk twice to announce that they are backing up their vehicle. This is to ensure safety. Any soldier will immediately look around to see who is back up if he or she hears a double-honk.
Respecting the Flag
Just like we’ve already mentioned, one of the most important values in the military is respect.
One of the best ways that we can show and witness this respect is by standing in the presence of a U.S. flag. Soldiers can also salute the flag, although it is not necessary. From the very first day of training, soldiers have drilled into their heads that the flag is the embodiment of the country.
Back Against the Wall
Because one of the most crucial parts about being a soldier is vigilance and awareness, many prefer to stand with their backs against a wall when standing.
This way, they can be completely aware of their surroundings and have their eye out for any strange situations. Most soldiers prefer to stand against a wall so that they have one less spot to worry about.
A Well-Made Bed
While some struggle with it in the beginning, eventually every soldier gets it down. Part of this discipline is having a bed made perfectly with hospital corners. These help keep the military’s uniformity. This habit often continues for soldiers when they make their beds back home.
Ready For Anything
For a soldier, it’s absolutely critical to make sure to be aware of where your gun is so that no mishaps happen.
The Soundtrack to Military Life
While many civilians probably haven’t heard of it, every soldier knows that this epic tune is the soundtrack to life on base. It’s the perfect song to motivate for a solid run or if you’re simply in need of a boost of energy.
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