A Question For Retired/Former Members of the Armed Forces

[TrainTrac]

If you have to carry something in one hand when walking (briefcase, shopping bag, etc.), do you still instinctively/habitually carry said object in your left hand, leaving the right hand free to render a salute? I've been retired from the USN for three years, and find that I still do this without even thinking about it. What say the rest of you?



Old habits are indeed hard to break, I guess!

 

[Bud Williams]

Been retired since 1996. It's 2009. Nope.

used to love those officers that would intentially walked across the street so they didn't have to salute you. I usually walked across to catch them...:lol::banana:

 

[Richard L]

TrainTrac,

Funny question!!!

I have been retired from the Army since 1983 and I have broken that habit, however I think it stuck with me for a few years. It was also hard to address the President and Vice President of the company I work for by their first names, instead of Sir.



Yes, all of that will fade in time.



...Rich

 

[TrainTrac]

Yep, me too, bud. And I'd fire off a loud and hearty, "Good Afternoon, SIR!", so that they'd have no choice but to respond. Used to tick me off when I would salute an officer and they'd either ignore me, or just give a quick, half-a$$ed salute without even looking as they walked by.



But God forbid if I failed to salute them...

 

[scott degroot]

I don't have the problem with carrying things in my right hand, I do however still put cigarette butts in my pockets...

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Good for you l1tech. I hate it when people fling their cig butts on my lawn.



TJR

 

[Gerald Pierce]

How about falling into step with the person you are walking with? I do it all the time. Drove my spouse nuts, now do it with the GF. Been almost 28 years since boot camp, 16 since I pushed boots, and I still do it.



GP

 

[TrainTrac]

Yeah, but you've got a legit excuse. You're still on active duty, Master Chief! You're just setting the standard/example for your Sailors.



It's after you retire that you'll have to break those habits.



Hell, when I go RVing with my family, I refer to our site setup/breakdown as my "Special Sea & Anchor Detail"! :lol: I mean, after all, I am connecting/disconnecting shore power, hotel services, etc.

 

[Bo Loo]

I don't carry too much in my right hand due to using it to open doors, etc, but I do get in step with people....after 7 years retired.

 

[TrainTrac]

I don't carry too much in my right hand due to using it to open doors, etc,

As long as you're doing that for ladies, it's OK!

 

[Mark Stadnicki]

I still use military time, date stuff 03SEP09, and can't get used to hair touching my ears or curling up in the back. I end up getting it cut on base still.

 

[Richard L]

Bo,

Funny you should mention that you walk in-step with other people. I did the same thing when I came home on leave after Basic Training....I always walked in-step with all my buddies, who actually got irritated when I did that. I never realized I was doing that until they complained about it !!



I finally broke myself of the habit and was able to walk without having to always be in-step with the person next to me, yet could stay in-step when marching, etc



...Rich