23 Things veterans carry with them

[Thumpalumpacus]

In the back of every veteran's closet, you're likely to find some old uniforms, dusty caps, a stack of medical, training, and discharge records... maybe a few ribbons or medals. But these are just a few of the typical things that separated or retired service members keep with them. Other things, they're stuck with forever.

So we compiled a list of the more non-traditional things that veterans carry for life.

1. An incessant need to roll socks

2. Bad knees

3. The misguided idea that ibuprofen and fresh socks will cure any ailment

4. Tinnitis. ZNNNNNNNNNG.

5. The ability to sleep anywhere

6. The plight of not being able to sleep at all

7. Old combat boots. They're great for mowing the lawn or a trip to Home Depot.

8. Fear of tape tests

9. Issues with authority figures

10. Back pain

11. T-shirts from strange events and places they don't remember going

12. A woobie that has seen better days.

13. A swearing problem that is FUBAR

14. A love/hate relationship with acronyms

15. Total disdain for PowerPoint

16. Scars from barracks shenanigans gone awry

17, A few ugly divorces

18. A truck they bought after gaining some sense and selling that Camaro they financed at 27% APR

19. Some weird strip club stories

20. Sleep apnea

21. Bad tattoos that seemed like a really good idea at the time

22. Boxy brown t-shirts that somehow have sweat stains in a different, more gross shade of brown

23. A deeply stained, never-before-washed coffee mug that they tell everyone is "seasoned"

23 things veterans carry with them for life

Tinnitus, knee pain, an old pair of combat boots.

www.airforcetimes.com

 

[Mainly28s]

I skip 12, 17, 18, 21 and 22, but call with:

24. A keychain with a can-opener, nail clipper and folding scissors on it
25. Loads of stories that begin "When I was in the service..."
26. Memories of far-off places and people
27. Far too many ways of doing things that are not "approved" but get the job done in minimum time.
28. Incredible memories.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

1, 6, 8, 11, 12, 16, 21, and 22 missed me. I checked the other boxes.

Also, I still fold my t-shirts the way the Air Force taught me, in 6" squares. Of course I don't break out the tape-measure nowadays, so it's roughly. Back then, I sure didn't want to give the flight a gig, I kept a tape-measure around.

My coffee mug gets washed about once every three months whether it needs it or not.

 

[Alan Stevens]

21. Bad tattoos that seemed like a really good idea at the time

Quint had his USS Indianapolis tattoo removed.

 

[Snautzer01]

Quint had his USS Indianapolis tattoo removed.

Yes he needed a bigger boat.

 

[Sabrejet]

29. Swearing to not tell people about it; then telling people about it.

 

[Alan Stevens]

Yes he needed a bigger boat.

Needed destroyer escorts.

 

[Snautzer01]

As long none of them are called Bruce.

 

[Frog]

1, 6, 8, 11, 12, 16, 21, and 22 missed me. I checked the other boxes.

Also, I still fold my t-shirts the way the Air Force taught me, in 6" squares. Of course I don't break out the tape-measure nowadays, so it's roughly. Back then, I sure didn't want to give the flight a gig, I kept a tape-measure around.

My coffee mug gets washed about once every three months whether it needs it or not.

+ a well used ESBIT pocket stove.

In the back of every veteran's closet, you're likely to find some old uniforms, dusty caps, a stack of medical, training, and discharge records... maybe a few ribbons or medals. But these are just a few of the typical things that separated or retired service members keep with them. Other things, they're stuck with forever.

So we compiled a list of the more non-traditional things that veterans carry for life.

1. An incessant need to roll socks

2. Bad knees

3. The misguided idea that ibuprofen and fresh socks will cure any ailment

4. Tinnitis. ZNNNNNNNNNG.

5. The ability to sleep anywhere

6. The plight of not being able to sleep at all

7. Old combat boots. They're great for mowing the lawn or a trip to Home Depot.

8. Fear of tape tests

9. Issues with authority figures

10. Back pain

11. T-shirts from strange events and places they don't remember going

12. A woobie that has seen better days.

13. A swearing problem that is FUBAR

14. A love/hate relationship with acronyms

15. Total disdain for PowerPoint

16. Scars from barracks shenanigans gone awry

17, A few ugly divorces

18. A truck they bought after gaining some sense and selling that Camaro they financed at 27% APR

19. Some weird strip club stories

20. Sleep apnea

21. Bad tattoos that seemed like a really good idea at the time

22. Boxy brown t-shirts that somehow have sweat stains in a different, more gross shade of brown

23. A deeply stained, never-before-washed coffee mug that they tell everyone is "seasoned"

23 things veterans carry with them for life

Tinnitus, knee pain, an old pair of combat boots.

www.airforcetimes.com

+ a well used ESBIT pocket stove.