Can you spot a veteran a mile away?

[Alphalogica]

Originally Posted by jmusmc85

I can!!!

I was just noticing, at my college I can always tell who has served just by looking at them. I don't know what it is, it's just the way they carry themselves. I was wondering if anyone else notices the same thing. It's kinda weird, in a good way though.

I wouldn't say a mile away. Give me a good 5 minute conversation with any individual, and I could tell with near-perfect accuracy if they were in the service. I would have to talk to that person. Lots of people grow their beards, grow the beer bellies, and "get civilian" so it sometimes is real difficult to judge based on looks. Come to think of it, MOST people I know who are out don't fit any typical profile of what a "veteran" is.

Hell, when I was in, there were more than a few people who "pushed the limits" on the weekend and made every attempt to hide the fact they were in the military when out-and-about.


Also, I can absolutely guarantee that just by looking at me, you could never tell that I was in the service.

I know of at a couple several retired Army MP E-7 platoon sergeants from my unit who do a good job looking "civilian." I've heard of retirees "coming out of the closet" after retirement as well. One of those said E-7's I know, has a brother in a relationship with a retired male Marine Corps SGM, in fact.

Lots of veterans know what other vets look for, so we know how to counteract.

[FutureBrennanDad]

I am with the others, you usually need a brief conversation to know for sure. I work Security for a large amusement park here in San Antonio and can sometimes spot current and prior service members, but when I greet someone their reaction and response lets me know right away.

[deckdoc]

Most people don't realise how many of the homeless are vets, they just call them bums~A friend of mine got out of service years ago to marry a guy~ bet most of you wouldn't spot the guy who all the officers were trying to get to go to OCS~ gotta agree after talking to someone for a little its much easier.

[marmac]

Also, most people don't realize how many homeless claim they are vets, yet never have served.

TV news reporters have documented this.

[Balad1]

Additionally the VA has beefed up their outreach to homeless Vets so I think anyone that wants help could get it.

Homeless Veterans Home

[armywifeandmom]

Some I can and some I can't. But for the most part yes, especially if they are currently active duty and it's not by their haircut I can tell either!

It is in the way that they carry themselves (the one's that I can spot without talking to them) there is a confidence in their gait in their bearing.

I have talked to some that only did one tour of duty and got out and have been assimilated back into the civilian community for many years and I couldn't tell they had served.

However, if I meet someone that served a significant amount of years or was career and retired, I can just tell usually.

FWIW, I have never served but have been a military wife for close to 2 decades (and now am a military mom) and having been immersed in the military community for that many years. I can always spot a civilian. Always. LOL. That is what I think makes it easier for me to spot current of prior military, by default.