Vets: Did military service effect your sense of style?

[jhcam8]

Originally Posted by graphite

they should give the beret back to the rangers

Not to mention these:

 

[gorgekko]

I wanted to say no but reflecting on the question it occurred to me that I shine my shoes religiously, iron my shirts, I like everything tucked in and squared away and I keep my hair reasonably short.

Fecking infantry ruined me.

 

[Holdfast]

Was never in the military, but I did mess around in the RAF cadets for a while (we had to do it at school, and I have to say I was pretty glad when we could opt out and do other things in the 6th form). I was too young (not to mention largely unenthused by it) for it to influence my style in any significant way... though it has to be said that I do spit-shine my toe caps, so maybe something stuck after all.

In hindsight, I realise I enjoyed the experience more than I knew at the time. Funny, that.

 

[globetrotter]

it's interesting how different the different military experiences can be. the whole thing about threads is new to me - all of my uniforms were ratty, including the dress uniforms. I got two sets of dress uniforms when I got in, and that was it, so by the time I got out they were pretty faded and ratty. as to field uniforms - for most of my service I would be in the field for 3 weeks at a time, and then go home for the weekend, so mostly all the 3-4 sets of uniforms that I had would be dirty within 2-4 days, and the rest of the time I would be wearing dirty clothes. aside from for a couple of ceremonies, I never ironed any clothing.

I pretty much never wear green anymore, and now I wear longish hair (although for almost 20 years after the army I always wore my hair very short). I don't wear brown shoes (My boots were "red" - oxblood).

 

[HERCULES]

1. My shoes are always shined. I will always do this myself. I will never pay to have my shoes shined.
2. I always shave.
3. No hats inside.

 

[gorgekko]

Originally Posted by HERCULES

2. I always shave.

I'm surprised I forgot this one. I can't even consider leaving the house unshaven.

 

[Blamm]

- military emphasized fit and attention to detail (at least for dress uniforms)
- clearly translates to how I dress today
- shoes always shined (I keep a shine box at work - people stop by daily to shine their shoes - nice social interaction)
- laces always tucked into my shoes
- little to no break on my pants
- hair trimmed and clean shaven

It's interesting - I let myself get a bit sloppy after I left the Army in '99 - loose fitting shirts (L, XL sizing) and no tailoring on pants (usually a little long at the cuff). Starting paying more attention as I progressed at work - then got much more precise after I started visiting SF. On a good path now - learn a little something every day - and try to share a little with those around me w/out being an arse

 

[the.chikor]

Originally Posted by gorgekko

I'm surprised I forgot this one. I can't even consider leaving the house unshaven.
That's right-isn't that funny how we all retain this habit. Except for Saturday and Sunday-aka "no shave day."

 

[pvrhye]

Originally Posted by Grayland

Army, 1/75 Ranger (Airborne) from 82-85

1) Never got over the short hair thing. Still get a haircut every 2 weeks although it was weekly in the military.
2) Clean, shined shoes always.
3) Crisp ironed shirts
4) No threads hanging off of clothing. I cut them off now, but we burned them off with a lighter back then.
5) We had 14 pairs of BDU's issued. 7 for the field and 7 for the barracks. The barracks versions had all but one of the pockets on the shirt sewn closed and the cargo pockets were sewn closed as well. The idea was that they would look very clean when heavily starched (which was done free at the base).
6) We shaved the extra "fuzz" off our berets and shaped them just right. Back in those days, only those in the Ranger Battalions wore black berets. Later on, in an effort to make the regular troops look better (and boost morale), the Pentagon gave black berets to all of the regular troops and gave tan berets to the Rangers.
7) Our field caps (we were made to wear Kevlar helmets about 1984) were creased just right.

I'm a chef-instructor now and I take my culinary uniform very seriously as well, and I expect my students to do the same.

Casey Ryback?

 

[mikevienna]

I joined the navy at 18. The navy taught me how to iron, sew, shine my shoes and shave perfectly (without taking all day to do it). It also taught me about posture and gave me a reason to wear bell-bottomed trousers on a daily basis long after the 1970's ended

Now I can't go a day without polishing my shoes or shaving or checking my clothes for Irish pennants and the brassware in my house is fantastically polished weekly

(I'm not sure if that's good or bad)

 

[mdao63]

Used to have 2 types of clothing, military and para-military. After retirement, SF helped me to learn how to dress. These days, hair is longer than the high and tight, and I have the BB no-iron shirts.
However, still spit shine my own shoes. I now have more shoes than Imelda Marcos.

 

[deveandepot1]

Best thread I have read in at least a year. Keep it coming.

 

[IronRock]

Ok I'm biased but this is pretty damned smart.

Mess dress:

Our Colonel-in-Chief Prince Charles in No. 1s:

Our service dress is pretty bad-ass too but can't find a picture on the web at the moment.

Basically my uniforms turned a pretty average looking dude in to a peacock. Has this effected my post-military sense of style - absolutely.

On top of the shiny shoes, polished brass, lint removal and general upkeep of all my attire, I am now happy to stand out from the crowd with what I wear, and I am pretty sure this goes for anyone who served, whatever their country or arm of service. Great times.

 

[hoog]

For me my time in the military and abroad absolutely had an effect. I developed a more reserved sense of style. Even after I got out I kept a short hairstyle and a reserved "tight" appearance.

 

[Grayland]

Originally Posted by pvrhye

Casey Ryback?

Good one. That cracked me up.