Military service is an intense experience that can shape people’s approach to life, and there are always subtle telltale signs that a person has served. There are countless examples, but here are 18 indicators that someone has served in the military.
Attention to detail
Military training emphasizes precision, which leads veterans to pay close attention to the smallest details in everyday activities. This attention to detail often manifests in the meticulous organization of their personal life and workspaces, which are always kept clean and neat.
Maintaining physical fitness
Many veterans continue to exercise daily physical fitness regimens due to routines developed during their service. The military places a huge emphasis on health and wellness, and maintaining physical health is prioritized, influencing veterans’ lives long after service.
Respect for authority
Deeply ingrained in military culture is a respect for hierarchy and authority. Veterans Affairs states, “Military personnel expect those with authority to take charge and make decisions with confidence, and during times of war, those decisions can be matters of life or death.” This respect translates into veterans’ daily lives.
Punctuality
Efficient time management and punctuality are both critical components of military life, leading veterans to be exceptionally timely. Because of their military background, where being late was not acceptable, veterans will often view tardiness in others as irresponsible and rude. We think that’s a great trait to have!
Use of military time
The use of a 24-hour clock, or military time, is a common habit that sticks with many who have served. This preference for military time, when used in everyday conversation, can sometimes be a subtle indicator of a person’s service background. Plus, it always makes things much clearer!
Camaraderie and teamwork
Military service fosters a deep sense of camaraderie, often extending into veterans’ civilian lives, where they will form strong bonds with peers. Due to their extensive teamwork training, veterans often excel in team settings and have a preference for team-based environments.
Military lingo
Veterans often continue to use the unique vocabulary and acronyms that they learned in the military. This specific vocabulary and jargon, such as “got your six” and “on the double,” can make their speech distinctive to fellow veterans and observant civilians. It may sound strange, but they mean well.
The way they hold themselves
Military service members receive extensive training that emphasizes upright, alert posture. This posture is often noticeable in how veterans stand and walk; as a result, they often have a confident and commanding presence. No complaints here–good posture is always a wise idea!
Recognition of military dates
Veterans often have a heightened awareness of military-related dates such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day, specific days that we have set to honor all those who served in the military. Veterans are proud to participate in ceremonies and activities on these significant dates and will urge their family and friends to join them.
A smart haircut
Many male veterans tend to maintain conservative hairstyles and short, neatly trimmed hair, just as they did in the military. The US Army also enforces various other grooming standards, such as clean-shaven faces or neatly trimmed beards. Looking smart is never a bad thing!
Military tattoos
Tattoos of unit insignias, battle locations, or memorial tributes to fallen comrades are common tattoo themes among veterans. These tattoos will have symbolic significance to each veteran, and each one will hold some personal and emotional relevance to them and their time served in the military.
Structure
Many veterans are routine-oriented due to their training and often prefer structured schedules and environments, mirroring the regimented lifestyle in the military. This preference for structure can influence their comfort level in less organized situations, and sometimes, they can seem a little more stressed in disordered circumstances.
Situational awareness
Veterans often display signs of being highly alert, as they would have been trained to constantly be aware of their surroundings, especially if they have been in combat situations. This can manifest in everyday situations, such as choosing seats in social settings with clear views of all exits.
Wearing military-inspired clothes
Those who have served may prefer to wear military boots, cargo pants, or branded veteran apparel once they return to civilian life. These choices stem from constantly wearing this type of clothing in the military, with some veterans even wearing subtle accessories that hint at their service, such as lapel pins or bracelets.
Respect for the flag
Veterans are highly patriotic and exhibit deep respect for their country’s flag, adhering strictly to flag etiquette. The Department of Defense lists some examples of these standards, such as how the flag should never touch anything beneath it, even the floor, and that dirty, ripped, wrinkled, or frayed flags should not be used.
Maintaining calmness under pressure
Military training prepares individuals to handle stress effectively and teaches them to use a problem-solving approach to life. This often makes veterans more composed in situations of crisis; they will be calm under pressure and display a methodical approach to problem-solving that veterans are known to bring to personal and professional challenges.
Resourcefulness
Time spent in the military will undoubtedly teach members to be economical in their daily lives. They will have learned to be resourceful and budget-conscious, and many veterans adopt a do-it-yourself approach to home repairs and projects, a skill sharpened during their years of service.
Avoiding loud noises and crowds
Finally, some veterans can have a sensitivity to noise, particularly those who have experienced combat, and they may avoid loud noises like fireworks. This is a coping strategy because, unfortunately, PsychCentral points out that such loud noises can bring back traumatic PTSD experiences to service members, such as gunfire or bombs.
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