Personality

Is There a Military Personality?

Confidence, pride, and directness are traits that many service members share.

Posted July 22, 2011 | Reviewed by Devon Frye

Is there such a thing as a "military personality"? And if so, do the personality traits and characteristics of service members differ greatly from those of the average citizen?

Barring the high-and-tight, camo backpack, and forearm tat, can Mr. and Mrs. Civilian spot a service member at the airport, in the mall, or at a ballgame? Probably so.

I don't believe there is a "military personality," per se. But in my view, service members do share a number of mannerisms, beliefs, traits, and perceptions.

Confidence, for example—service members often have an air of self-assuredness and poise. A purposeful and swift stride, eye contact with strangers, and a head held high with a slight controlled swivel is a dead giveaway that a confident soldier, sailor, airmen, or Marine is in the area.

Service members may share a strong sense of pride, honor, and integrity. These characteristics are by no means unique to those in the military, but they often take on more significance for service members than for the average citizen. These traits may greatly shape how the service member sees the world and influence his actions on a daily basis, both at home and on the battlefield.

Another shared trait of service members, in my experience, is directness. During the first days of recruit training, military leaders teach the new troop how to communicate quickly, clearly, and without self-doubt or ambiguity.

For those not familiar with this type of communication, the service member may be viewed as abrasive, impatient, or even rude. For those in the know, it's a great way to get tasks completed and use available time efficiently.

In contemporary U.S. society, individualism is the standard; working for the betterment of the group is the relative exception. This is the complete opposite of what's found in the military. Putting the group before the person is an important aspect of military culture. Many civilians have difficulty understanding this level of personal sacrifice, embraced through all ranks and branches of the military.

We're all different. Stereotypes are often incorrect and individual differences are what make us unique. Embracing similarities and differences is crucial in defining who we are as husbands and wives, sons and daughters, and service members.