Do we all have OCD or is it the results of our training?

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:32:06 -0400

Just a fun question to past by everyone here. We have experienced it, the need to have things just a certain way. From things lined up on a desk to how we hang our clothes, it may be true that OCD plays a huge role in one's ability to comply with standards and regulations. But it is really OCD or is it just part of how are brains are wired now following endless days of having to it because...well, that's the way it's done. I was talking with a friend last night and we were talking about laundry. I told them, I'm picky on how things are folded and hung in my closet. They smiled and laughed then asked if I have OCD or not. My reply was simple, I said "No, that's just the way I know how to do it."

So RallyPoint, is this type of behavior a result of us all being a little OCD or is it just because it's the way we were taught?

Response by SN Greg Wright made Sep 29 at 2015 2:33 PM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:33:35 -0400

I am definitely OCD. I have about 6 bottles of hand sanitizer around my house lol.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 29 at 2015 2:35 PM

SGT David T. — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:35:33 -0400

I make it a point to have nothing in my life dress right dress. I park at angles and have nothing at right angles in my house or at my desk.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 29 at 2015 2:38 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:38:15 -0400

I am doing my best to resist compulsively responding to your question SGT Ben Keen :-)
Well I lost the struggle :-)

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 29 at 2015 2:40 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:40:23 -0400

Yes. I have o c d.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 29 at 2015 2:54 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:54:18 -0400

I think you mean CDO. You put those letters in the wrong order.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 2:55 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:55:19 -0400

Hoo boy...could my wife tell some tales LOL!

I never thought of myself as "OCD" until she moved in after our wedding...then I saw exactly how rigidly I ran the "dry-docked ship" that is my house.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Sep 29 at 2015 3:00 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 15:00:32 -0400

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All Work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 29 at 2015 3:00 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 15:00:41 -0400

Damn. I always back my vehicles in, no matter where I'm at unless firmly posted to pull in, and I'm noticing that my clothes when hung up are starting to all face to the left. If my socks start showing smiley faces when folded, I'm checking into the nearest facility.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 29 at 2015 3:21 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 15:21:45 -0400

SGT Ben Keen - I admit that I am seriously OCD/Type-A. I think it is a result of how I was raised and my experiences in life, most of which was on active duty.

When I went to the Army War College, they made us all take a battery of evaluations. One of those identified me in the top 5% of Type A personnel in the class and, therefore, I was deemed to be in need of "intervention" to reduce my stress. I was told that I had to enroll in a "stress reduction group". I "refused" to do so and had to go see the Commandant or someone in authority (I forgot who). I pled my case on two points: (1) That the main reason that the majority of the officers at the War College are there is because they are Type-A, so why must we now change? and (2) making me enroll in the stress reduction group, making me walk around without a watch, and making me stand in the longest line in the commissary, for example, would have exactly the opposite effect. It would make me much more Type-A. They relented and did not make me join the group. So, I guess I am still a ticking time bomb... :-)

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 4:40 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 16:40:26 -0400

Ive always kind of had OCD. But the Army sure as hell didnt help any

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Sep 29 at 2015 5:32 PM

Maj Kim Patterson — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 17:32:08 -0400

There is theory (other than classic chaos theory) that even what appears to be disorganization to another is OCD in a different form and btw, you are supposed to spell out the word before using the acronym.... Try living in a house where everyone has it and manifests just enough different that we all have to move that piece of paper just a smidgen to make it right.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 29 at 2015 5:37 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 17:37:08 -0400

Guilty. I'm really bad with some things. I married a woman the same way. I made the seamless transition into doing things our (her) way because it was still dress right dress. The Army made things much worse/better? I can find everything in this house with a blindfold on. Everything in it's designated place. Confession is good for the soul.....lol

Response by SGT James Allen made Sep 29 at 2015 6:32 PM

SGT James Allen — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 18:32:56 -0400

I work in the maintenance department at my employment and yes I admit to having OCD especially when cleaning areas in the building. My coworker lacks the attention to detail that I have because he never served. I shrug my shoulders and shake my head at his laziness.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 8:54 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 20:54:50 -0400

SGT Ben Keen I'm so relieved, ;-) Now I know it's not just me!

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Sep 29 at 2015 9:58 PM

PO2 Peter Klein — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 21:58:05 -0400

Have a friend who organizes her spools of thread by color. She wasn't ever in the military. Myabe, just maybe it is hereditary?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 9:00 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 09:00:08 -0400

I have to admit, my training made me a little OCD. It bugs me when my wife won't put things back where they belong, but instead just finds any spot to re-stock cleaned pots, pans, freshly bought canned goods, etc. Everything ends up in a new spot every day.

But we learn in our training that there are good reasons for things to be in certain places and in certain ways. We always know where something is; we can tell at a glance how many are left and prepare to clean or restock them, we can find it in the dark, and we don't waste time having to hunt for old things "hidden" in new places.

Although when all is said and done, I have learned not to broach this subject with my wife. Down that road lies only darkness and misery. Although I had to draw the line at screwing caps back onto jars, instead of just resting the lid on top.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Sep 30 at 2015 10:58 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:58:49 -0400

Scary how much we have in common with complete strangers.

Response by SGT Curtis Earl made Sep 30 at 2015 11:01 AM

SGT Curtis Earl — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:01:07 -0400

I don't have OCD, I have CDO with the letters in the correct order.

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 30 at 2015 5:31 PM

SPC David S. — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 17:31:56 -0400

Yes, I often wonder - I have a 2009 car cleaner than the day I bought it - Manicured lawn - shirts hung backs to the left or folded by color (I made a folding board so all are the same size once folded and speeds things up). When things are a mess it doesn't really bother me but when its time to get things squared away look out - everything is coming out then going back in. My wife refuses to do my laundry because of my standards - the folding, Ranger rolling the socks, and so on. I'm also a military brat so much of this behavior was a preexisting condition.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 13 at 2024 9:25 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 21:25:06 -0500

The worst for me is making sure I have used the packing list before deployments.