How can you tell one is in the Army?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 13:19:49 -0500

What are the giveaways? Please say what makes you think another American is in the Army in a single word, phrase, or sentence. Thanks.

Response by SFC James Baber made Feb 17 at 2014 2:23 PM

SFC James Baber — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 14:23:56 -0500

What my wife always said about me, the way I carried myself and my demeanor in the way I walked.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 3:21 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 15:21:31 -0500

besides the obvious clothing trends that have been stated. Usually there is a group with some rather obnoxious behavior, loud, arrogant, cocky, talking LOUDLY about the military as if they were the FIRST ones EVER to be a Soldier/ Marine etc. Usually in a non-military locale such as an airport or sporting venue it becomes apparent by those who stand tall, quiet, observant of their surroundings, clean cut appearance may or may not have some sort of military pin or emblem somewhere on their person or baggage to give that "I'm in the military" impression. I guess it just depends on where you are, and who you are looking at. We are all different and we all give off different "signs". Some are more nonchalant about it and some are just arrogant pricks.<br>

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 3:21 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 15:21:47 -0500

PT shoes

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 3:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 15:26:23 -0500

The haircut and shaved face is usually a give away.

Response by SSG Theodore Scherer made Feb 17 at 2014 3:42 PM

SSG Theodore Scherer — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 15:42:07 -0500

This is why i firmly believe in OPSEC, call me a prude but I wait until
my hair is longer (but still within regs of course) before going on
leave, unless I have no other choice I avoid carrying ACU anything with
me, and I dont wear army related clothing when I am off duty. Don't get me wrong, I love
being a Soldier but I don't like making myself a target. I feel awkward
when I have army anything on me when I am on leave or going out to eat
even.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 17 at 2014 4:20 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 16:20:11 -0500

Haircut gives it away every time...

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 5:30 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 17:30:23 -0500

Busted up pt shoes, haircut and basic training/AIT T-shirt. Hooah!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 8:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 20:37:28 -0500

Soldiers tend to curl there finger's when they walk. Just like when they March. That is usually how I spot them.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 17 at 2014 9:55 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 21:55:06 -0500

Backpacks and five different clothing items each with branch of service on them.. ;0)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 10:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 22:05:07 -0500

Hand tans, and also the horrible tan line you get from your patrol cap.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 10:06 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 22:06:47 -0500

Walking in step, and pivot turns.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2014 4:16 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 16:16:57 -0400

PT shoes in the club.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Mar 28 at 2014 5:26 PM

SFC Stephen P. — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 17:26:07 -0400

We eat too fast.<br>

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made Mar 28 at 2014 8:18 PM

SGT Donald Croswhite — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 20:18:41 -0400

I can tell rank when walking on post. I see a lot of junior enlisted wearing the new jeans, cowboy boots, button up plaid cowboy shirt, and wallet too big to fit in their back pocket with chain.

Please stop wearing dog tags as bling, please.

I have to agree with the hair cut. That gives people away, right away. I think soldiers are more professional. And theirs more off a pack mentality.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 29 at 2014 2:13 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 02:13:49 -0400

using the following words in your normal (civilian) conversation:

Hooah (instead of a myriad of answers....yes/no/hell no/hell yeah and etc...).

Roger (instead of yes).

Negative (instead of no).

Response by SPC Eric Tucker made Apr 20 at 2015 8:00 PM

SPC Eric Tucker — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 20:00:14 -0400

Stand up taller and straighter. Salutes are sharper. When I went to my grandfathers funeral and saluted during taps the vfw guy asked me if I was a soldier, I asked how he knew. He said my salute was the sharpest he'd seen in a long time

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Apr 21 at 2015 11:45 PM

SPC David Shaffer — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 23:45:46 -0400

Swagger

Response by CW3 Craig Linghor made Apr 21 at 2015 11:48 PM

CW3 Craig Linghor — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 23:48:22 -0400

Swagger

Response by SPC Angel Guma made Apr 21 at 2015 11:48 PM

SPC Angel Guma — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 23:48:49 -0400

Lot's of swearing, for one. A fascination with guns or shoot-em up games. Many guys love 'gear' and collect gear as a pseudo-hobby (I was a Geardo too). Always walking around with military paraphernalia. Hooahs a lot.

Response by SGT John Rauch made Apr 21 at 2015 11:57 PM

SGT John Rauch — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 23:57:47 -0400

certain words or phrases, such as latrine, or, "that female" instead of that woman, instead of repeat its say again. to this day I still dont feel right saying the word repeat. every now and then I will catch myself starting to say over after I say a sentence on the phone.

Response by SGT Nicole Jones made May 8 at 2015 8:07 PM

SGT Nicole Jones — Fri, 08 May 2015 20:07:36 -0400

The way you carry yourself