20 Things Veterans Do That Make Zero Sense to Civilians

Overpacking for trips00:05:47

Veterans tend to pack as if deploying for months, preferring to have items and not need them rather than need them and not have them, even for short trips.

Using unexplained acronyms00:06:21

Veterans use military acronyms in civilian conversations and may become irritated when they have to stop and explain what they mean.

Flipping people off as a greeting00:00:00

Veterans may flip the bird to old friends as a way of saying hello, which can confuse civilians and children who view it as an insult rather than a sign of affection.

Standing at attention for the national anthem00:01:01

Veterans, especially Marines, may stand at the full position of attention facing the flag during the national anthem instead of placing a hand over their heart, which some civilians mistake for disrespect.

Roasting best friends and rivaling branches00:01:38

Veterans often talk excessive smack to their closest friends and constantly joke about other military branches, behaving like siblings who can insult each other but will defend one another against outsiders.

Avoiding political discourse in public00:02:14

Many veterans avoid discussing politics in public or in uniform, believing that political views should not define a person or hinder getting along with others.

Wearing proper civilian attire including belts00:03:09

Veterans often maintain military habits of dressing neatly, such as wearing belts with shorts even when it is not necessary in civilian life.

Singing branch hymns loudly and proudly00:03:19

When their branch's hymn plays in public, veterans—particularly Marines—may stop and sing loudly and proudly, which stands out to civilians.

Using military lingo in civilian conversation00:03:54

Veterans frequently use terms like heard, say again, Roger, solid copy, and tracking during normal conversations, carrying over communication habits from service.

Waking up at 5:30 AM automatically00:04:05

Veterans often wake up very early on weekends or without an alarm because their internal clock is set from years of military routines.

Judging backpacks, boots, posture, and time management00:04:15

Veterans subconsciously observe and evaluate how others dress, carry themselves, manage time, and observe their surroundings based on military standards.

Discomfort with vague arrival times00:04:34

Veterans feel uneasy when told to just show up whenever for a get-together, preferring to arrive 15 minutes early and having a set time.

Using dark humor at inappropriate times00:04:49

Veterans often use dark humor as a coping mechanism and may joke at moments civilians find inappropriate, often asking if it was too soon.

Emotional reactions to military sounds00:05:13

Hearing reveille, taps, cadences, helicopters, or branch hymns can trigger instinctive reactions in veterans, such as standing up, pausing, or becoming alert.

Responding to last names00:05:39

Veterans often continue to respond immediately when their last name is called out, even years after leaving the military.

Keeping specific contingency plans00:06:35

Veterans often create detailed emergency plans for public events, such as designating rally points like a red truck at a specific time in case of an attack or getting lost.

Saying living the dream00:06:57

When asked how they are doing, veterans often reply living the dream regardless of their actual mood, sometimes with dead eyes, and may follow up with nightmares are dreams too if pressed.

Avoiding walking on the grass00:07:41

Veterans instinctively go out of their way to use sidewalks instead of cutting across grass, viewing sidewalks as the respectful path.

Feeling uncomfortable being thanked for service00:07:59

Veterans often feel physically awkward when publicly thanked for their service and may not know how to respond without sounding arrogant or strange, often settling on thank you for your support.