RallyPoint, Do you feel that you are conditioned to Military customs and practices, even after ETSing? If so, in what ways?

SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 08:37:50 -0400

Even after three years since my departure from the U.S. Army, I feel that I am still in many ways conditioned to military customs and practices.
I find myself about to correct someone and then I remind myself that I am no longer in the military or an NCO (even though i will always be one in title). Plus I find myself just in per disdain at how some people conduct themselves in daily routines. It annoys me to no end.

Does anyway else feel the same at times, in what ways would you deem yourself as conditioned?

*Conditioned has been added to replace institutionalized, as institutionalized carries unwanted negative connotations.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 9:49 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 09:49:07 -0400

I initially served from '93 to '03 and got out. I spent 5.5 yrs out. After that time-frame, I came back in because I needed that structured chaos the Army gave and I needed to be around like minded people again. So, I can honestly say I am institutionalized.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 14 at 2015 10:21 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 10:21:17 -0400

In some ways yes. The longer you stay in, you get to where you're comfortable in your "skin" and it's ok. IMO only, it made me more disciplined in many ways, and opened my eyes to new experiences in others. What I've found since retiring is that SSG Swan's still around in many ways. Nothing wrong with him until you want to make a correction on someone or write in a method that is commonplace in military circles but has civilians in fits trying to figure out what I meant. I used ALCON (for ex), and folks had no clue. You can remind yourself you let go, till you turn blue in the face and they're lowering you in the ground, but you're ALWAYS going to be SGT Torres. You'll ALWAYS have some sort of mechanism that he'd used while in that Jose is using while out. If you still use knife hands you'd know what I'm talking about. Be yourself SGT. You earned that rank, be proud of it brother.

Response by SSG Clyde Rainey made Oct 14 at 2015 2:57 PM

SSG Clyde Rainey — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 14:57:46 -0400

I was really institutionalized my self. I retired from the Army in 2012 and I still feel like that sometimes. I have a job were I get up early in the morning and work a school I work hard and like the fast pace. I work as a server and kitchen worker and cook also, I will be gaining other duties soon, but the pace of the work and the time limits of getting things done remind of work in the Army.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 14 at 2015 4:13 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 16:13:59 -0400

You are ruined, just like the rest of us. 5 years for me and I'm doing much (ok, somewhat) better. Give it more time.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Oct 14 at 2015 5:28 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 17:28:38 -0400

Yes you've changed. You're echoing the exact same thing every veteran has ever felt at one time or another. Embrace it as best you can.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Oct 14 at 2015 5:35 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 17:35:58 -0400

SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres I would not use the word "Institutionalized" as that has the specific connotation of being committed to a psychiatric hospital. Certainly, however, your point remains. I've been retired for 15 years, and I still get frustrated by what "civilians" do. I put that in quotes, because as a veteran, I'm a civilian too - I pay taxes and don't wear the uniform any more...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 14 at 2015 5:55 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 17:55:42 -0400

Embrace your thinking as you have the steel to avoid crossing lines. You think this way because you were trained this way. When dealing with my life, I often use the analogy of a battle. What are the close, intermediate, and deep fights that I must conduct to be successful.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Oct 14 at 2015 6:04 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 18:04:06 -0400

Its called operant conditioning, and it stay with you for years.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 14 at 2015 7:11 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 19:11:23 -0400

I still say sir and ma'am and exercise protocol to those I work with and lead

Response by SGT James Allen made Oct 14 at 2015 7:11 PM

SGT James Allen — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 19:11:49 -0400

I have been out since February 1997 and I still represent myself in a Military manner. In the way I work and act. My work ethic is always above the standards that are expected. I won't lower my standards to equal my coworkers very low standards. Keep your chin up and keep driving hard Soldier. Hooah!

Response by SSG Thomas Gallegos made Oct 14 at 2015 9:04 PM

SSG Thomas Gallegos — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 21:04:22 -0400

I am and always will be. It was instilled in us from day 1. Plus I'm an overall nice guy with manners learned from my raising.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Oct 15 at 2015 1:32 AM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 01:32:46 -0400

I don't know about being institutionalized but there are a couple of things that I learned in the military that have stayed with me. One thing that we were taught in basic was to never throw cigarette butts on the ground. Even today I still "field strip" them and put the butt in my shirt pocket. I also don't walk on the grass if there is a sidewalk even if it is longer. lol