With around 2 million veterans living in the UK, you’ve likely crossed paths with someone who’s served, even if they never told you outright. While some proudly wear their service on their sleeve, others keep it quiet. Because of this, it can sometimes be challenging to determine if someone is ex-military. This is where the subtle signs come in.
From everyday habits to quirks picked up over years of discipline and camaraderie, there are plenty of ways you can spot someone who’s ex-military. That is, of course, if you know what to look for.
In this guide, we explore the tell-tale signs that someone may have served in the Armed Forces. Whether you’re curious about a friend, a colleague, or you are a veteran yourself and want to know if you exhibit any of these signs, you might recognise more than a few of these traits, and some may just surprise you.
Purposeful Walk
When assessing the most common characteristics of veterans, one of the biggest tell-tale signs is a purposeful walk. Ex-military personnel don’t tend to have a leisurely stroll: they much prefer a strong and determined walk. This may be because of the ‘straight to the point’ attitude they picked up during their service, or their much more refined walking style, often with a slight knee bend to compensate for ship movement, and without aimless shuffling or wandering.
Polite & Friendly
Don’t let the stern persona and the fact that veterans follow all manner of strict routines fool you: ex-military personnel are polite and friendly. Veterans will have to establish a strong bond with their comrades, and to do so they will have to be polite and friendly, and this approachability will transfer over to their everyday life.
Tending To Be A Little More Formal
Veterans tend to use more formal language, including ‘sir’ and ‘ma’am’, and they do this when addressing anyone. This isn’t done to establish a more serious tone in conversation: it is instead done out of respect, reflecting their training in military etiquette.
Impeccable Attention To Detail
The fact that ex-military personnel exhibit incredible attention to detail comes as no surprise. Veterans and ex-armed forces have to be on high alert when in active service, and this transfers into their civilian life. One of the best examples of this is them maintaining a ‘gig line’, which is the alignment of belt buckle, shirt buttons, and zipper.
Being Able To Sleep Anywhere
We all know someone who can sleep pretty much anywhere, be it on a crowded plane, on a bus, or even on the floor. However, being able to sleep comfortably in a variety of positions is also a telltale sign that someone is ex-military.
Military or Military Apparel
If someone is wearing a regimental association jacket and tie with medals attached, then it may not be hard to pinpoint that they are a veteran. However, many ex-military personnel also sport other military-like attire, like kaki colour clothes or simple grey tops.
Specific Haircuts
While on the topic of appearances, veterans and ex-military personnel exhibit very particular styles of haircuts. While veterans may have flowing hair, it is unlikely. While not all veterans have what is affectionately called a ‘buzz cut’, ex-military personnel are far more likely to have a ‘high and tight’ haircut, keeping it clean and tidy.
Direct Communication
Ex-military personnel don’t tend to waffle. They prefer communication that gets ‘straight to the point’, often answering questions directly and concisely. Being direct is essential for veterans, as they’re used to carrying out their jobs in a high-pressure and fast-paced environment.
They Eat Fast
Speaking of moving quickly and being efficient, many ex-military personnel can eat rather quickly. The need to eat quickly is largely based on having to always ‘be on their toes’ and having to deal with unpredictability. So, next time you see someone eat their meal unusually quickly, it could be because they are a veteran.
Ability To Scan Surroundings and Environment
Ex-military personnel will often scan surroundings, checking for exits and potential threats, even in seemingly safe environments. This need for assessing environments comes from their need to do during service.
Strong Eye Contact
Having strong eye contact is one way to be professional, intimate, and personal, and veterans are excellent at doing this. Eye contact is expected in the military, especially when saluting or liaising with superior officers. Veterans are not only trained to hold eye contact, but are trained to keep it during even the most intense and stressful exchanges.
Incredible Punctuality
Nobody likes someone who is always late, but being late isn’t part of a veteran’s arsenal. Part of military training has an emphasis on punctuality. Timing rules everything during service; everything must be done in a timely and orderly manner, so it is no surprise that veterans exhibit incredible punctuality.
Being Clean and Tidy
Another integral part of the service is maintaining an incredibly clean and tidy environment. From ensuring uniforms are ironed and tidy, to making beds according to a stringent standard of cleanliness, being clean and tidy is heavily embedded into military culture and the veteran persona.
Being In Good Physical Shape
In order to partake in military service, veterans have to demonstrate high levels of fitness. Being in the military is very physically demanding; it’s not unheard of for soldiers to have to run for miles in heavy military gear, or march for hours to a high level. Some ex-military may take great pleasure in not having to stay in good shape post-service, but many veterans keep the healthy habits going, ensuring they remain in peak physical condition, long after completing their service.
Jargon and Slang
Veterans are also likely to use military jargon and slang, even in everyday life. From the NATO alphabet to more niche examples, such as Ally, Civvy, Tabbing, On stag, Buckshee and NAAFI. If you listen out for these slang terms and jargon slipping into conversation, you may be able to spot a veteran.
Good At Making Decisions
In the military, there is no time to be indecisive. Military personnel have to make snap decisions, and there is little room for errors in judgment. Because veterans have been in so many high-pressure situations, their decision-making skills have to be top-notch. This translates to them being incredibly decisive.
Every Veteran Is Unique
It is always worth mentioning that these are just some common veteran traits. While some veterans may have these characteristics, some veterans may live a completely different lifestyle. What makes a veteran isn’t just their shared characteristics: it’s their service and how proud they are to have served. So it is always worth mentioning that every veteran is unique.
Learn More About Veterans with Veterans For Veterans
At Veterans for Veterans, we are a team of ex-military personnel who specialise in helping veterans make successful legal claims. We also have a passion to share stories and insights about life as a veteran. Be sure to keep up to date with our blog, where we share lots of interesting insights into what it’s like to be a veteran.
If you served in the military, left after 1987, and experienced some form of suffering as a result of service, you could be entitled to compensation. If you want to learn more, contact us today and we can help. As a team of veterans ourselves, we can help keep things simple and guide you through the process of making a successful claim. So what are you waiting for? Contact us today.