Writing US Military Characters
This is a non-exhaustive list of some common âquirksâ or habits that can give away a characterâs military experience. Wrote it up for myself and itâs particularly useful when I want to show instead of tell. These are based on first person accounts from several vets! Thought others might like to use it too for a reference :D Ones with * or ** came up particularly often.
Like any guide, itâs just that - a guide, not a set of rules! A character is unlikely to do all of these, and other factors like ADHD, trauma, or just personality might effect what sticks. People are endlessly diverse!Â
Eat, Drink, Dress, and Rest
* High tolerance for physical discomfort
** Eat very fast, and arenât picky about the taste
** Can sleep anywhere - on a helicopter, in enemy territory, up high, underground, when itâs loud, when itâs quiet
* Can operate effectively without sleep for over 24hrs, or with erratic and limited sleep for days
** Wake up early, 0500-0700; Wake up quickly and ready for action
* Hair cut regularly. Beards stay clean shaven (alternatively some may avoid shaving when out of uniform)
** Dress practically and neatly, jackets buttoned/zipped up, ironed, polished
** Pockets are meticulous. The same thing always goes into the same pocket, for easy reach. Pockets never full to bulging. Carry multitool.
** Hands stay out of pockets - ready. (Hands in pockets is forbidden in the military. Some Special Forces may keep their hands in pockets, as their âgroomingâ rules are less enforced. Because they can)
Always carry things with left hand (and âsouthpawsâ must learn to use standard right-handed weapons)
** Know how to clean house and keep it organized (may choose not to out of uniform)
** Can make bed and shower fast
Organize clothes to be able to dress and maneuver their own space in pitch black (Navy specifically)
Know how to sew basic repairs (i.e. a button)
Layout items before packing. Tight roll clothes. Pack efficiently
** Can read maps effectively, may prefer them to a GPS, use landmarks
Deadlines not always considered concrete (There is a military mantra, âHurry up and wait.â Often one would be told to complete something or arrive somewhere at a certain time, but nothing would happen due to someone elseâs task meant to be finished earlier still being incomplete)
** Alternatively (or in tandem), arrive 5-30 minutes early to every event
Things kept packed securely in the car, âready for seaâ and âheavy rollsâ (Navy specifically)
** Respect for the âOtherâ or âThemâ - other religions, cultures, races, and ethnicities - had to work crammed together with a diverse group that may have strongly opposing viewpoints, and learn to trust each other to have their backs in dangerous situations (For many, military is their first real experience with different cultures and beliefs)
* Respect â Like. Will go above and beyond for a respected leader, even if they are disliked
Deeply suspicious of red tape, bureaucracy, and bosses on power trips, and will only do the minimum required for these
** Low tolerance for slacking/job skirting
* Volunteer other people for tasks, and willing to be volunteered for things
Donât ask people to do things they arenât willing to do themselves
Still follow orders of bosses they dislike. Still have the backs of coworkers they dislike
** Like clear orders, responsibilities, chain of command, and penalties
* Have Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C
Actions matter more than ceremony;Â definite respect for processions, but excessive reverence for the flag/anthem/etc viewed as posturing rather than true patriotism
High tolerance for boredom
** Adaptable, high stress tolerance, work efficiently, self reliant
** Avoid having their back to an opening (windows/doors/etc) or sitting anywhere someone can sneak up on them from
* Avoid loud, crowded areas, check perimeters, barricade doors, sleep last in a group (may coincide with PTSD)
Always walk on the right side of a road/grocery aisle/etc
Stand at parade rest, walk cadence, walk fast
* Walk quietly, even in boots, sneak quickly (military crouch run)
De-escalation in violence - in protective armed situations the standard is: 1) multiple warnings, 2) warning shots, 3) shoot to incapacitate. Shoot to kill is a last resort. (not following these steps could get an ally or potential ally killed) In verbal disagreement, resolve an issue before it escalates
* Wariness toward and tendency to feel Otherâed by civilians
* Immediate acceptance toward other military, expectation of shared values
Observe before speaking in a situation, only speak if it seems significantly important to
Refer to people as âSirâ or âMaâamâ
** Speak directly, make direct eye contact (sometimes comes off as rude, often intimidates)
* Donât take criticism or disagreement personally, expect others not to, either, and will point out flaws even to superiors (but again, orders are respected)
** Clear communication, acknowledge messages by replying, even if thatâs just a thumbs up or down
** Swearing. Lots of swearing. Every other word is swearing
** Dark sense of humor, and racist/sexist jokes - not indicative of individualâs actual belief system or violent tendencies
Unbothered by angry yelling, angry quiet people are more concerning
** Point with âknife handsâ, not just a single finger
**Â Use a 24 hour clock instead of a 12 am/pm; i.e. 0800 hours, not 8am (Called âMilitary Timeâ in the US)Â
Describe locations by oâclock directions, i.e. dog standing at 6 oâclock
* Write out dates as day-month-year (US usually does month-day-year) i.e. 21Oct57
** Use phonetic alphabet to spell things out, or at least have it memorized
** Habitually use military terms or sayings, including:
Good to go - Mission ready, ready to proceed
Squared away - Compliment indicating exemplary service
Popping a smoke - Need to get out of here [From using smoke grenades to call helicopters for extraction]
âSir yes sirâ [A âsir sandwichâ]Â
FUBAR - F*cked up beyond all recognition
SNAFU -Â Situation normal, all f*cked up
TARFU -Â Things are really f*cked up
Civilian - Non-military person
Roger - Message received and understood
âSay again your last.â - What?
Field day - Spring Cleaning (Navy specifically)
Get smoked - Laps, pushups, etc as punishment
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