I have been retired for more than 30 years and it still bothers me when I look in the mirror and notice my gig line isn't straight.

In my experience, I didn't fully retire until I stopped tucking in my shirt and looking in the mirror.

quote:

Originally posted by pace40:
In my experience, I didn't fully retire until I stopped tucking in my shirt and looking in the mirror.

Only happens in the Winter when I wear a button-down shirt. The other 8 or 9 months of the year I wear a tee shirt...

I had to Google gig line.
And I try to avoid looking in the mirror.

Yep... I still do the gig line thing. A dude in a campaign hat would scream in my face if mine was off!

Still look at my boots, and am bothered when I see some schmutz, gig line check, tucked in shirt has to be fully tucked in, not any of that blousing around the waist. Buttons go to the top except the collar button. Ties are properly knotted and "tight" none of that "limp, loose neck noose" (Actual instructor comment: "IS THAT A NECKTIE OR A LIMP, LOOSE NECK NOOSE!?"

I still walk like I'm on a hike accross the flightline. (I got places to be)

And I still carry in my left hand, and leave my right hand free.

Funny, that. Seems like it took forever to get it right, working on it like a fiend. And now I probably still sleep "Military"

A lot of things those D.I.'s "taught" us, stay with us. I still eat with one hand. Among other things & yes I always check my gig line & check for "Irish Pennants".

I overcame most of my military habits. My wife and I served together, so when we hike, we still march. No longer a 30 inch step, but it's an old person's march.

I have maintained a gig line for 47 years.

I retired 18 years ago (USAF) and for some reason wear only black tee shirts (I have 30 or so), jeans, and sneakers daily.
It has been pointed out to me that I may have a thing for uniforms...

Tim

I still get a haircut every 2 weeks. High and tight, #2 on top skin on the sides. I wore a flight suit most of the time so gig lines ain't really a big deal...

Weapons cleaned when I come back from the range, will not walk on grass as long as there is a sidewalk, and if I am wearing a belt gig line will be checked.

LOL - I still / always check my gig line 20 years after retirement.

Also, unless I am doing stuff around the yard/house, I am typically in a collared shirt, tucked in, and with a belt on - much to my wife's chagrin.

Things I DO NOT do - twice monthly haircuts and daily shaving.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
And I still carry in my left hand, and leave my right hand free.

I still remember a cold winter day at Ft. Leonard Wood, staring at a sidewalk while I gave SSG Williams twenty for this.

That's all it took. I've kept that right hand free ever since.

It's been 42 years and I still make sure everything looks tight and lined up. Old habits are hard to break but to me, it's a good habit. Looking sharp never goes out of style.

You can say to yourself 'it doesn't matter', but as soon as you see yourself in the mirror you think 'got damn, and I been walkin' around like that?'

quote:

Originally posted by Herkdriver:
I still get a haircut every 2 weeks. High and tight, #2 on top skin on the sides. I wore a flight suit most of the time so gig lines ain't really a big deal...

I find there are two types of military retirees - those like above and me that can’t stand for hair to get long/ past regulation, and those that have a pony tail grown in 6 months

As a former US Army Drill Sgt. I attended a ceremony recently where I encountered a active duty officer (Full Bird Colonel) in uniform who had what I considered a major uniform violation with a large thread hanging from the corner of a shirt pocket... Told the officer that as a former Drill Sgt.. "Sir with Due Respect may I remove the Lanyard from your uniform sir". He replied yes I could. .. At which time I used my pocket knife to cut the thread from his uniform.. Sorry but old habits sometimes are hard to break. ............................ drill sgt.

quote:

Originally posted by captain127:

I find there are two types of military retirees - those like above and me that can’t stand for hair to get long/ past regulation, and those that have a pony tail grown in 6 months

L-R: My oldest brother Chuck, Me, my son Glenn. Since I still have hair in this picture, can't be more than a year or two after my retirement...