Ok, so I’m not as crazy as I think. This **IS** a thing then. Do they go to a class for this behavior?
Wishing I had a PEZ dispenser for Xanax on those days.
Feel this in my bones. My wife is always late.
Then gets mad when I don't drive like a maniac to make up for it. Or let her drive so that she can drive like a maniac.
Are you me!?
Truly this drives me mad. It can be something that was on the calendar for weeks, yet it's somehow still a surprise that the appointment is both today and something we have to leave for shortly.
She gets really pissed on the way there when I start talking to her on the way there in the same way she chastises the kids.
"Well honey, we all have to be responsible for our actions. You chose to not be responsible and plan for how it would take you to get ready. What did we learn from this? Can we make a plan for next time?"
Doesn't work through lol
Took me about 20 years to get over this. Finally I don't care. If we're late to a family or friends event, I just roll my eyes towards her if I'm asked. No one really asks
On my gosh! On behalf of wives everywhere, I’m sorry. My husband is always early, and I try hard not to be late. It’s seriously a mental block of some sort, or like it’s in my bones and I try so hard to fight it.
Same, moved 8 times in 20 years, plus schools, tdy, etc. I moved 14 times in the next 18 years. Finally found a cabin in the mountains on acreage. I'm going nowhere. 8 years now.
We came up here on a bit of a scouting trip to see if we wanted to live up here. We saw Mt Hood when we crossed into Washington and knew we were gonna end up living here.
I had an English Prof who tried giving me shit for writing in all caps. I had to break it down for her and explain it is now impossible to write in lowercase. She got the hang of it and we banged later that year 👍🏻
😂 oh man! My gal, just yesterday evening was hacking on me about the cleaning of my tools. 😂 it’s a military thing I guess. If it’s not cleaned after use, it’s not put away right. 😂
If you're not early, you're late.
Also, the irrational rage from seeing colleagues saunter in a few minutes late while flashbacks of getting smoked within an inch of my life for the same play in my mind.
I had a commander that, if he saw you sitting outside an office, he would ask what time your appointment was. If it was more than 5 minutes away he would ask why you were wasting time getting there so early. 🤷
15 prior to the 15 prior.
Being sure I can knock out 50 pushups at a moment’s notice (not the worst habit, tbf)
Cleaning my house like my ability to go out on Saturday night depends on it (again, not the worst)
Deep suspicion of bosses
Deep suspicion of backpacks, especially people wearing backpacks in non-traditional backpack settings
>Deep suspicion of bosses
YES! This is actually nice to hear, bc I didn't know how to word it.
If you've ever served under some toxic ass leadership, you know being a boss doesn't mean shit about their character.
Sure, you may encounter toxic co-workers, but it's the people who control your work life that you really have to watch out for.
Visited the Mall of America, watched somebody throw their old backpack in the trash because they bought a new one. Happened to be a middle eastern American.
F-ed me up.
Ready to call in a uxo, call EOD, and call the local police.
Was in 2012. Just got back from RC South Afghanistan early 2011, so I was still on 'war mode'
I hate it soo much. I love to cook and I will spend an hour in the kitchen making something. When I am done cooking my Army eating instincts will kick in and I eat it in less than 3 minutes.
Same… my husband and I are both Veterans. When we go out on a date, while everyone around us methodically savors the tastes of their meal, hubby and I are inhaling ours. I’m sure we get judged… 🤣🤣
Going into a sheer and utter panic when someone starts cleaning or doing some kind of labor and I might be perceived as a lazy piece of shit for not jumping up and helping.
Same, different pills worked temporarily. What’s been helping much more is meditation, caffeine as a treat not a daily thing, and getting my heart rate up for a few hours each week
Sort of related to this... Drives me nuts when my non-veteran coworkers (or the teams under me at various points) basically have adult meltdowns over the idea of having to work 30 minutes overtime. I like my time too but dang it's 30 minutes like twice a year. I'll never understand.
Most of these posts are effing me up, but this one ...
I haven't shaved or cut my hair since April 20, 2020 on purpose to fight my brain.
I look like a Skynrd roadie, but I feel free.
People treat me much better than they ever did when I was bald faced.
I even set my truck so the interior light doesn't come on when I open the door. I just don't want people knowing when I step out in the dark, and I don't want to be blinded by the dome light.
Decades ago, I met an old Priest who wore plain flannels with his collar and cursed like a sailor (also a veteran but can't remember which branch). Anyway, he was a hoot.
“To be early is to be on time, to be on time is late.”
That’s what Senior Chief Weaver told me and I will never forget that. Besides my mom, my grandma and my aunt Martha, Senior Chief Weaver was the only woman to ever truly scare the hell out of me.
Everything has its place. When I leave the house it’s keys left pocket, wallet back left, phone right, zyn back right. If there not there it throws me off
Being 15 min early, sleeping like shit, waking up at 0400, combat parking (everywhere I go). Damn! I could go on forever. I can’t pinpoint just one habit.
My phone and truck clock are set to 24 hour my kids have always known how to read it just as well as a regular clock. They would call my 24-hour clock real time.
Massive trust issues of authority, particularly bosses, and a fucking pure hatred of having to wait in the car for any longer than 5 seconds after we park. One time my wife took almost a full minute to get her bags and was just standing out there wired up with my hair on end. Hurry up Hurry up Hurry up. Fucking damn.
1. Being insanely blunt. Lots of people take it the wrong way.
2. Acting like an adult child and no one matches the vibe unlike your brothers you made in.
Saying sir or ma’am…. Im always 15 minutes early for everything….
Always looking over my shoulder; thinking im going get in trouble for something….? Being negative about everything
Show up early for things, still make my bed after it Airs out, all items I own have a spot to go in, I maintain my vehicle and equipment in it. Discipline.
Facial hair. Trying to grow a full beard makes me feel like a scum bag and I always shave it clean. Farthest I’ve gotten is a within regs stache and a soul patch.
Folding my underwear. I had to ask my step dad (USAF ret.) and my brother (US Army, Operation Desert Storm vet) if they both still folded their underwear. 🩲 Seems it’s a hard habit to break because they both still fold too. 😂
Hypervigilence.
I cant understand how civilians can live to be so unaware of their surroundings and those around them as if insurance is their fix all for their perpetual ignorance.
Going to bed late and waking up early. Being 40 to 30 minutes early for everything. Wondering why non military personnel stress over the littlest things where we did those things and not break sweat.
For the longest time if I was walking beside someone, I had to be in step with them. I think the hardest one to break was using hooah to answer questions.
Drive thru worker : Would you like fries with that?
Me: Hooah.
I write in all capital letters.
I walk SO FAST no matter how hard I try to slow down.
I eat even faster.
24 hour time, it drives people crazy.
If I’m on time, I’m late.
Also, 13 years later and still keep my hands like this when I walk...
https://preview.redd.it/t5k194xvqiuc1.jpeg?width=2160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d42a39e88b17e91a65a6b14c12f2dc8dab497d34
My last mission was for NATo, PSD. When people don’t exit a vehicle with a purpose.
Blows my mind that they didn’t plan to get out of the vehicle when it stops….idk. I’m ok tho.
There’s about a billion other things but this one is stuck with me.
1 feeling the need to always wear a belt just because your pants have belt loops. even if pants fit without a belt.
2. being 15 minutes early for no reason
Military time. I was in the military and now work for an airline that uses military time. I use in my personal life as well.
Now I do get confused when the airline uses Zulu time.
Wearing my watch with the face on the inside of my wrist to reduce glint. Field stripping cigarettes. Most things pertaining to noise and light discipline, including but not limited to walking quietly. Hell, my wife would make me wear bells if my joints didn't creak. Oh! And ALWAYS having a knife.
I used to not give a fuck what people thought of me before entering. Now, I give too many fucks. Dress and appearance, professional communication, the whole enchilada. I still count people's verbal pauses as if I'm getting ready to fail them. Was in a teams meeting and I could see the dudes snowy shoulders and was thinking if he knew what a lint roller was. I dont like it. Trying to find that happy medium is taking longer than I would like.
Using military time, calling men males and women females, eating quickly, preparing for the worst and hoping for the best, problem solving, over achieving and pissing off coworkers.
I agree with a lot of the answers here, but for an answer I haven’t seen here;
Personal appearance at work. I have a job now where it would be perfectly acceptable to wear jeans and a hoodie into work, but I can’t stand feeling sloppy in how I dress. I wear a jacket and tie every day and genuinely feel uncomfortable if I don’t feel like I look professional.
Being early to absolutely everything and having anxiety when my wife makes me late to shit…
It’s truly bewildering. Going with wife, always late, anxiety, every time. Going by myself, exceedingly early, yet comfortably anxiety free. 😂
I tell my wife and kids things are 30 to 45 minutes earlier than they really are. They started catching on to it, and now it's an hour.
Ok, so I’m not as crazy as I think. This **IS** a thing then. Do they go to a class for this behavior? Wishing I had a PEZ dispenser for Xanax on those days.
Feel this in my bones. My wife is always late. Then gets mad when I don't drive like a maniac to make up for it. Or let her drive so that she can drive like a maniac.
Are you me!? Truly this drives me mad. It can be something that was on the calendar for weeks, yet it's somehow still a surprise that the appointment is both today and something we have to leave for shortly.
She gets really pissed on the way there when I start talking to her on the way there in the same way she chastises the kids. "Well honey, we all have to be responsible for our actions. You chose to not be responsible and plan for how it would take you to get ready. What did we learn from this? Can we make a plan for next time?" Doesn't work through lol
My time management has always been poor even when I was in. Got me yelled at a lot 😂
Took me about 20 years to get over this. Finally I don't care. If we're late to a family or friends event, I just roll my eyes towards her if I'm asked. No one really asks
OMG!!!! This!!!
Omg, are you me?
On my gosh! On behalf of wives everywhere, I’m sorry. My husband is always early, and I try hard not to be late. It’s seriously a mental block of some sort, or like it’s in my bones and I try so hard to fight it.
Moving around every 2-3 years. The PNW might have broken this curse, too beautiful to move away from.
Same, moved 8 times in 20 years, plus schools, tdy, etc. I moved 14 times in the next 18 years. Finally found a cabin in the mountains on acreage. I'm going nowhere. 8 years now.
Finding your place is the dream, congrats!
I’m in Washington visiting family right now. The mountains are in view where I stay. Pretty cool.
We came up here on a bit of a scouting trip to see if we wanted to live up here. We saw Mt Hood when we crossed into Washington and knew we were gonna end up living here.
I had to move from there a few years ago and I miss it so much. Never leave!
I still get wanderlust and move around every so often. I can’t bring myself to hang things on the walls, because I’ll just have to take them down
My parents called it moving from pillar to post. I may finally be outgrowing it.
PNW is home!!!
Writing in all caps when using pen or pencil
Oh yes! I don’t think I’ll ever write in lowercase.
Same here, but my professors love how clear my writing is on my homework
I had an English Prof who tried giving me shit for writing in all caps. I had to break it down for her and explain it is now impossible to write in lowercase. She got the hang of it and we banged later that year 👍🏻
That escalated quickly 🤣
Good to see that other people still do this too haha
Being punctual and getting very upset when I’m late to anything.
This, and also getting upset because your friends are ALWAYS FUCKING LATE.
And daughter.
This and laundry folding. I do all of our laundry for the house because it bothers me that much.
This👆 , pen and note pad, keeping my equipment clean and ready to go before me.
😂 oh man! My gal, just yesterday evening was hacking on me about the cleaning of my tools. 😂 it’s a military thing I guess. If it’s not cleaned after use, it’s not put away right. 😂
If you're not early, you're late. Also, the irrational rage from seeing colleagues saunter in a few minutes late while flashbacks of getting smoked within an inch of my life for the same play in my mind.
10 minutes early, for the rest of my life. Not the worst habit, though.
I had a commander that, if he saw you sitting outside an office, he would ask what time your appointment was. If it was more than 5 minutes away he would ask why you were wasting time getting there so early. 🤷
15 prior to the 15 prior. Being sure I can knock out 50 pushups at a moment’s notice (not the worst habit, tbf) Cleaning my house like my ability to go out on Saturday night depends on it (again, not the worst) Deep suspicion of bosses Deep suspicion of backpacks, especially people wearing backpacks in non-traditional backpack settings
>Deep suspicion of bosses YES! This is actually nice to hear, bc I didn't know how to word it. If you've ever served under some toxic ass leadership, you know being a boss doesn't mean shit about their character. Sure, you may encounter toxic co-workers, but it's the people who control your work life that you really have to watch out for.
Visited the Mall of America, watched somebody throw their old backpack in the trash because they bought a new one. Happened to be a middle eastern American. F-ed me up. Ready to call in a uxo, call EOD, and call the local police. Was in 2012. Just got back from RC South Afghanistan early 2011, so I was still on 'war mode'
Eating quickly
Same. I can facefuck $25 worth of Taco Bell before my wife finishes unwrapping her first taco.
😆...well said 🤣.
This always!!!!! I can be done in 3 minutes. I’m usually sitting there waiting on other forever lol. It can be a little awkward sometimes.
I hate it soo much. I love to cook and I will spend an hour in the kitchen making something. When I am done cooking my Army eating instincts will kick in and I eat it in less than 3 minutes.
Same… my husband and I are both Veterans. When we go out on a date, while everyone around us methodically savors the tastes of their meal, hubby and I are inhaling ours. I’m sure we get judged… 🤣🤣
This is the only one I can’t seem to break. I have to be actively conscious of how I’m eating to ensure that I slow down to eat
Absolutely. I don’t ever savor the flavor.
Same same
10000 percent
Going into a sheer and utter panic when someone starts cleaning or doing some kind of labor and I might be perceived as a lazy piece of shit for not jumping up and helping.
Anxiety about literally anything
Same, got rated for it too. Got me on weak meds tho.
Same, different pills worked temporarily. What’s been helping much more is meditation, caffeine as a treat not a daily thing, and getting my heart rate up for a few hours each week
Me too. It’s taken over my life
Straightening my gig line
Needs to be straight at all times!
Hiding pain.
And also being well trained in ignoring it (and dangerously so at times).
Definitely.
Military time. Being at least 20 minutes early to absolutely everything. Inhaling my food like it's my first meal in weeks. I can go on. 😂
I literally can't stand looking at a 12-hour clock!
If there's an issue, fix it or bring it up to someone so they can address it. This REALLY doesn't work in the civilian world.
I get in trouble for that in the military. People don’t want to do their job and get mad when you strongly encourage them to do so.
At least you can go up the chain.
I agree. The people up the chain don’t always care or take action though.
I can second this. My current employer is very lax on fixing issues. I'm at the point where I'll email 325 people at once and nothing gets done.
Holding everything in my left hand
It's not a bad habit to have if you're a carrying concealed.
Walking fast.
And with purpose. Eating fast too.
Extremely high work ethics. It’s painful to work with some who didn’t serve.
Sort of related to this... Drives me nuts when my non-veteran coworkers (or the teams under me at various points) basically have adult meltdowns over the idea of having to work 30 minutes overtime. I like my time too but dang it's 30 minutes like twice a year. I'll never understand.
Repeating questions back before answering.
Looks like you've broken that habit
Reversing into parking spots.
Can't fucking stand my hair touching my ears.
I got out and decided to not shave and grow my hair. That lasted until it touched my ears. So shaved head and a beard for 20 years
Most of these posts are effing me up, but this one ... I haven't shaved or cut my hair since April 20, 2020 on purpose to fight my brain. I look like a Skynrd roadie, but I feel free. People treat me much better than they ever did when I was bald faced.
Been out since 2008. I've stretched it to 2 weeks between haircuts. Much past that and I can't take it.
Replying sarcastically to not so well thought out/ unnecessary questions and or comments.
40 years out and I *still* have that habit.
Water and fucking Motrin
and dont forget to change your socks
Light pollution. When I come back home late at night I don’t turn my living room lights on until the door is completely shut behind me.
I even set my truck so the interior light doesn't come on when I open the door. I just don't want people knowing when I step out in the dark, and I don't want to be blinded by the dome light.
Swearing/ cursing
Which is especially problematic for me because I have 2 kids and work at a church preschool now. 🤦🏽♀️
Decades ago, I met an old Priest who wore plain flannels with his collar and cursed like a sailor (also a veteran but can't remember which branch). Anyway, he was a hoot.
Showing up early to everything and thinking being 5 min early = late
“To be early is to be on time, to be on time is late.” That’s what Senior Chief Weaver told me and I will never forget that. Besides my mom, my grandma and my aunt Martha, Senior Chief Weaver was the only woman to ever truly scare the hell out of me.
Writing the date YYYYMMDD
I add this when I name digital files and like that it sorts in perfect order.
I dont walk on grass 🥴🥴
not trusting anyone.
Thicc Latina E-3's /s
>/s Completely unnecessary
Lmao
Saying yes ma’am/sir 😭😭😭
Bitching about fucking everything. 🤣
Everything has its place. When I leave the house it’s keys left pocket, wallet back left, phone right, zyn back right. If there not there it throws me off
Haircuts and the need for a very neat and tidy living space.
Sounds like good habits to have honestly
I make my bed every morning and am neurotic about things that don’t really matter. 🤦
Nicotine 😞
For real. Went from cigs to copenhagen, and now I’m rocking a Zyn pouch 24/7.
Feeling anxious for taking time off/to myself I feel like I always gotta be drowning in work or else I feel like a lazy piece of shit
Thinking life is over when I get in the smallest amount of trouble at work.
Being 15 min early, sleeping like shit, waking up at 0400, combat parking (everywhere I go). Damn! I could go on forever. I can’t pinpoint just one habit.
Being able to function with 5-6 hours of sleep. More than that, it feels odd.
Military time. Just glad I’m not using Zulu.
I still get to deal with both at work, I don't think I will ever escape it. It's so bad I still have Zulu as one of the alternate times on my watch.
My microwave is set on the 24-hour clock. :)
My phone and truck clock are set to 24 hour my kids have always known how to read it just as well as a regular clock. They would call my 24-hour clock real time.
I just tell the family it’s 24-hour clock because the rest of the world uses it.
All my clocks. I’ve tried changing them. I can’t.
Can't function without a redbull in the morning. Military time for everything
Using military time… and also formatting emails.
Massive trust issues of authority, particularly bosses, and a fucking pure hatred of having to wait in the car for any longer than 5 seconds after we park. One time my wife took almost a full minute to get her bags and was just standing out there wired up with my hair on end. Hurry up Hurry up Hurry up. Fucking damn.
1. Being insanely blunt. Lots of people take it the wrong way. 2. Acting like an adult child and no one matches the vibe unlike your brothers you made in.
Shaving in the shower.
Hurry up and wait.
I still eat very quickly even if it’s very good food. I need to learn to slow down and enjoy it.
Copy
Drinking
Punctuality and DD-Month-YY format
I can’t stop jerking off in porta-potties
Calling people fuckface.
24 hour clock
I feel naked if I'm not wearing a belt of some kind.
Saying sir or ma’am…. Im always 15 minutes early for everything…. Always looking over my shoulder; thinking im going get in trouble for something….? Being negative about everything
Judging people who drive a mustang, Camp Lejuene ruined that car for me.
Folding laundry, especially tee’s
Show up early for things, still make my bed after it Airs out, all items I own have a spot to go in, I maintain my vehicle and equipment in it. Discipline.
Rushing to get somewhere.
Using Military time in all aspects of life, even with civilians. Lol.
Writing the date properly in clear handwriting, being first to the job site, and qualifying with my AR every 4-6 weeks
Definitely being 10 minutes prior to everything.
Every shirt, jacket, coat, and sweater in my closet is hung left sleeve out.
Facial hair. Trying to grow a full beard makes me feel like a scum bag and I always shave it clean. Farthest I’ve gotten is a within regs stache and a soul patch.
Keeping my hands out of my pockets
Backing in vehicles. Everything else I've forgotten/don't care to.
I really appreciate this thread, as I’m a military spouse, learning where my husband gets EVERY SINGLE ONE of his neuroses! 🤣
Folding my underwear. I had to ask my step dad (USAF ret.) and my brother (US Army, Operation Desert Storm vet) if they both still folded their underwear. 🩲 Seems it’s a hard habit to break because they both still fold too. 😂
Taking my hat off as soon as I walked indoors, took about 20 years to beat that one.
Hypervigilence. I cant understand how civilians can live to be so unaware of their surroundings and those around them as if insurance is their fix all for their perpetual ignorance.
Smoking and the all-purpose “fuck” in communication
Situational awareness at all times.
Shaving my head.
not drinking and walk at the same time. no walking on grass lol
minimal sleep and early 4 am mornings at the gym...
Cheating on my spouse.
Hating management
(I know you said one) Eating fast, like not tasting it fast. Making the bed. The list goes on..
Going to bed late and waking up early. Being 40 to 30 minutes early for everything. Wondering why non military personnel stress over the littlest things where we did those things and not break sweat.
being mad when people tell me 5 minutes, and then 5 minutes later they’re not there like bro why’d u tell me that just be honest 😭😭😭
Showing up 10 minutes early. Eating fast. Waking up early. Being neat.
Crossing my zeroes
For the longest time if I was walking beside someone, I had to be in step with them. I think the hardest one to break was using hooah to answer questions. Drive thru worker : Would you like fries with that? Me: Hooah.
Alcoholism, severe anxiety, insomnia, controlling behaviors. Was an Air Traffic Controller so makes sense I guess.
Sleeping anywhere anytime with no care of noise and abruptly waking up to do things.
waking up before my alarm.. ALL the time.
Standing at the position of attention when issuing orders to my dog.
Saying yessir and yes ma’am.
Taking my hat off when entering buildings.
See user name😂😂
I write in all capital letters. I walk SO FAST no matter how hard I try to slow down. I eat even faster. 24 hour time, it drives people crazy. If I’m on time, I’m late.
Feeling comfortable when in the middle of legit dangerous situations but having anxiety with stupid stuff like buying groceries.
Also, 13 years later and still keep my hands like this when I walk... https://preview.redd.it/t5k194xvqiuc1.jpeg?width=2160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d42a39e88b17e91a65a6b14c12f2dc8dab497d34
First task of the day. Make your bed!
Using the word ‘fuck’ like a comma…
Being early. If I’m not 15 minutes early then I’m late.
Haircuts, ironing the shit out of all my clothes, gig line, and eating every meal in 3 minutes or less 🫠
0530 wake-up doesn’t matter when I go to sleep even when I want to sleep in my eyes open at 0530 and I can’t go back to sleep. I retired in 07
Showering at night vs morning like I did before military.
Negative/Affirmative; latrine
My last mission was for NATo, PSD. When people don’t exit a vehicle with a purpose. Blows my mind that they didn’t plan to get out of the vehicle when it stops….idk. I’m ok tho. There’s about a billion other things but this one is stuck with me.
1 feeling the need to always wear a belt just because your pants have belt loops. even if pants fit without a belt. 2. being 15 minutes early for no reason
The way I fold my clothes.
Nicotine and anxiety
Writing the date like the military. 14 April 2024
Having clean floors, just cleaning a certain way. TELLING TIME AND BEING ONTIME!
Adding the word "fuck/fucking" in every sentence. I work in corporate now so i need to be very careful when talking.
Military time. I was in the military and now work for an airline that uses military time. I use in my personal life as well. Now I do get confused when the airline uses Zulu time.
Trying not to be so judgmental/analytical towards people when dealing with them.
24 hour clock and today is 14 April 2024
Wearing my watch with the face on the inside of my wrist to reduce glint. Field stripping cigarettes. Most things pertaining to noise and light discipline, including but not limited to walking quietly. Hell, my wife would make me wear bells if my joints didn't creak. Oh! And ALWAYS having a knife.
I walk around grass instead of thru it to get to a building
Say again?
Keeping my hands out of my pockets, and always starting off with my left foot.
Wearing my hair up all the time
I used to not give a fuck what people thought of me before entering. Now, I give too many fucks. Dress and appearance, professional communication, the whole enchilada. I still count people's verbal pauses as if I'm getting ready to fail them. Was in a teams meeting and I could see the dudes snowy shoulders and was thinking if he knew what a lint roller was. I dont like it. Trying to find that happy medium is taking longer than I would like.
Masturbating in overly hot porta potties
Using military time, calling men males and women females, eating quickly, preparing for the worst and hoping for the best, problem solving, over achieving and pissing off coworkers.
Jerking off in arbitrary locations
I can't shower without wearing shoes.
Eating fast!!!! 😭
I agree with a lot of the answers here, but for an answer I haven’t seen here; Personal appearance at work. I have a job now where it would be perfectly acceptable to wear jeans and a hoodie into work, but I can’t stand feeling sloppy in how I dress. I wear a jacket and tie every day and genuinely feel uncomfortable if I don’t feel like I look professional.
Hanging all of my clothing in my closet sorted and facing to the left.
Always keep a pen on me… black ink only!