After hanging up their uniforms for good, many retired military people still stick to some habits they’ve picked up during their service days. While you might think some of these habits help them stay disciplined, they affect their lives in ways that keep them healthy, too. Let’s look at 18 routines and practices that retired service members keep doing.
Rising With the Sun
Most retired military people keep the same schedule as during their service, which is why they’re up with the roosters. Being an early bird means they get the most out of every hour daily. Even if they don’t get things done, waking up early allows them to enjoy quiet mornings and feel like they’re ahead of the game.
Staying Fit and Active
You won’t see many vets lounging around all day; they’d rather do a workout. It doesn’t matter if it’s a morning jog or lifting weights; staying active keeps them in top form and clears their minds. Regular exercise allows them to socialize and share their dedication to staying healthy with others.
Following a Routine
Speaking of schedules, keeping a daily schedule helps vets with the transition from military to civilian life and gives them a good plan for the day. Sticking to a schedule allows vets to enjoy their freedom while staying on track with their personal goals. Instead of feeling unhappy like many retirees, they feel grounded and productive.
Keeping Things Tidy
Retirees from the military often keep their homes just as tidy as their bunks used to be, as they respect their space. No dirty dishes in the sink or laundry piled up on the floor means their home is a nice place to be, making things much more efficient. It’s just a part of caring about order and discipline.
Eating Right
Even though they’ve left the mess hall meals behind, that doesn’t mean they’re gorging themselves on fast food and snacks. Many retired service members stick to a good diet that keeps them healthy and energized with lots of vegetables and protein. For them, eating well is a habit that never truly goes away.
Financial Planning
Being able to handle your finances well is a big deal for many retired military people who are disciplined with their budgets. While some might think they’re pinching pennies, vets know they’re actually planning for their future. They want to make the best decisions to retire stress-free with their pensions and savings.
Volunteering
Giving back is a way of life for many ex-military people, who’ll spend time in the community helping out where they can. They want to stay active and connected to those around them, so don’t be surprised if you see them coaching youth sports or leading community improvement projects. They want to continue serving in any way they can.
Staying Punctual
If there’s one thing military life teaches you, it’s that being on time means being early. Vets take their punctuality seriously, and you’ll never see them late for things without good reason. It shows they respect others’ time as much as their own, making them a valued team member.
Keeping up Appearances
Many military retirees are big on looking good because it makes them feel good and ready for the day. Being in the military taught them to take pride in their looks, which is also good for their confidence and future success. Looking good means they’re ready to deal with any challenges the day throws at them and continue to keep the standards they’ve lived by for so long.
Reading and Learning
Learning doesn’t stop with retirement, which is why many retired service members are regulars at the library or bookstores. They always pick up something new to read or learn, as they know it keeps their brains engaged. They’re also happy to use technology to stay in the know, so many of them take courses online to learn new skills.
Being Prepared
Retired service people believe they should always be ready for anything and think ahead in different situations. This includes having a stock of emergency supplies or maybe just planning the week’s meals. Either way, they understand being prepared means less stress when things go sideways.
Respecting Authority
Living under a chain of command is something that follows you even in retirement. Vets have huge respect for authority in all aspects of life, so they always follow laws or respect community leaders. They believe that rules and systems help communities work, so they’ll often support measures for maintaining order and respect.
Managing Stress
Knowing how to handle stress effectively is something that never truly goes away. Many ex-service members use techniques like meditation or exercise to keep their stress levels in check. Usually, they become role models for other people and teach them how to deal with challenges in life by staying calm and collected.
Networking
Staying connected is important for retired military people, so they usually want to create networks, especially online networks. They care about having strong relationships with those around them and helping each other whenever possible. Even if it’s not with other veterans, they’ll try connecting with professionals in other fields to broaden their circles.
Mentoring Others
Since they’ve dealt with a fair few challenges, don’t be surprised if you see ex-military people sharing their own knowledge and life lessons with other people. They find mentoring rewarding because it’s their way of giving back and helping others grow. Many of them will happily step into roles as unofficial leaders in their communities or veteran organizations.
Strategic Thinking
If there’s one thing military people are good at, it’s tactical planning, and these skills continue during retirement. They’ll apply these skills to everything in their life, like family vacations and financial decisions, so they’re always a few steps ahead. This way, they can deal with complex problems relatively easily and make good decisions for everyone.
Honoring Traditions
To many people who’ve served, keeping military traditions alive is important. This includes wearing their medals on special occasions or participating in Memorial Day events. They want to remember where they came from and honor their service. These traditions give them a sense of continuity and identity that’s so important to their sense of self and community.
Time for Family
Retirement usually means more quality time with family, as ex-military members know all too well how precious life is. Many of them prioritize building strong family relationships and cherish their quality time with other people. Sometimes, they try to catch up on the years they missed because of service commitments and strengthen their existing relationships.
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