kodiridium

[kodiridium]

Writing US Military Characters

This is a non-exhaustive list of some common ‘quirks’ or habits that can give away a character’s military experience. Wrote it up for myself and it’s 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, it’s 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! 

Eat, Drink, Dress, and Rest

* High tolerance for physical discomfort

** Eat very fast, and aren’t picky about the taste

** Can sleep anywhere - on a helicopter, in enemy territory, up high, underground, when it’s loud, when it’s 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

Take hat off indoors 

Organization and Talents

Gearhead

Gun nut

Detail oriented

** 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 ‘grooming’ rules are less enforced. Because they can)

Always carry things with left hand (and ”southpaws” 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, “Hurry up and wait.” Often one would be told to complete something or arrive somewhere at a certain time, but nothing would happen due to someone else’s 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, “ready for sea” and “heavy rolls” (Navy specifically)

Routines and Social

** Respect for the “Other” or “Them” - 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 ≠ 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

Don’t ask people to do things they aren’t 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; 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 Other’ed by civilians

* Immediate acceptance toward other military, expectation of shared values

Vernacular

Observe before speaking in a situation, only speak if it seems significantly important to

Refer to people as “Sir” or “Ma’am”

** Speak directly, make direct eye contact (sometimes comes off as rude, often intimidates)

* Don’t 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 that’s 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 individual’s actual belief system or violent tendencies

Unbothered by angry yelling, angry quiet people are more concerning

** Point with ‘knife hands’, not just a single finger

** Use a 24 hour clock instead of a 12 am/pm; i.e. 0800 hours, not 8am (Called ”Military Time” in the US) 

Describe locations by o’clock directions, i.e. dog standing at 6 o’clock

* 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]

“Sir yes sir” [A ‘sir sandwich’] 

FUBAR - F*cked up beyond all recognition

SNAFU -  Situation normal, all f*cked up

TARFU -  Things are really f*cked up

BOLO - Be on the lookout

ATL - Attempt to locate

IAW - In accordance with

Civilian - Non-military person

Roger - Message received and understood

“Say again your last.” - What?

Firearm- Gun

Ruck - backpack

March - walk

Double time - running

PT - working out

Rally point - meetup

Field day - Spring Cleaning (Navy specifically)

Get smoked - Laps, pushups, etc as punishment

[kodiridium]

y’know what. i think we need to start validating every single expression of bisexuality. i mean it. if a bi girl claims she has no preference but mainly talks about guys, she’s still bisexual. if a bi guy has only dated men, he’s still bisexual. if someone has a preference, they’re absolutely just as bisexual. also, having no gender preference is absolutely, 100% an expression of bisexuality. when it comes down to it, there is no way to define bisexuality through an individual’s experience. if they are bisexual they are bisexual, no matter how others may see it. 

[kodiridium]

How to Avoid What I Like to Call “Fanfiction Writing”

* I want to begin with saying that there is nothing wrong with fanfiction (even though it’s not my personal thing). Fanfiction can be a great way for people, especially younger people, to practice their writing. HOWEVER, there is a problem with writing that sounds like a beginner writer’s fanfiction. 

- The first problem is the use of certain words. The thing that inspired this post was a piece of writing advice that I saw that stated that you should never use the words like children or kids, and instead always use adolescents. Please don’t follow advice like this and here is why:

 Nobody uses the word adolescents! Especially in places like America! I know you want your writing to sound professional but this is not the way to do it. It is always safer to use words like kids or children because this is how most people refer to children. Even children themselves tend to call themselves kids. They do this because the word has been popularized. When writing professional, focus on your sentence structure instead of your words. Using more familiar words will make your writing feel less jumbled and easier on the eyes. Focusing on sentence structure will allow you to put these words down in a way that makes them sound professional. 

- Like I just mentioned, spend more time focused of sentence structure instead of words. Something a lot of newer writers tend to do is begin sentences with the same few words. They also tend to make sentences around the same length. (I blame this on the school system and how they force children to structure every paragraph the same). I know it’s hard to find variety, but it’s essential. Instead of writing something like; The Summer Festival was approaching fast and people were excited. 

Write something like this instead; Summer was fast approaching, which meant people were buzzing around with excitement for the yearly Summer Festival. 

The difference between these two sentences include:

1) A different first word. Most sentences are started with “The” “A” “Everyone” “They”. Whenever you have the chance you have to mix it up. It will hook readers better and keep their attention. When everything continues to begin with the same four openers people will decide it’s boring no matter what the plot is. 

2) The second sentence was more descriptive. The first sentence said that people were excited, which accurately explains the situation but it is more simple and doesn’t provide as good of an image as saying something like “buzzing with excitement”. When you put a descriptive word like buzzing, it makes people picture the situation in more detail. And there is a slight difference between the way they are presented as well. The first is presented as just a simple feeling while the other is describing how people are feeling that feeling. 

- The third, and final, tip I have for you is describing your character. Many writers resort to using tropes and describing characters in the “fanfiction way”. Stay away! STAY AWAY I’M BEGGING YOU! 

If your character description sounds like “She looked in the mirror and studied herself. She had dark brown hair and eyes. She was so simple compared to the other girls at her school. She wished she could change that fact about herself. She wished she could make herself taller because she was too small. Too short. She put her hair up in a messy bun and got ready for school, leaving her reflection behind.” get rid of it. Delete it all now. In general you should stay away from introducing your character’s looks through a mirror. That could of worked at one point but now it’s way too over done. 

Here’s an example of a better character description. “The blond girl across from him was birdlike. If anything she looked like a hawk from the way she sat crouched on the bench to the way she studied everyone with her piercing blue eyes.”

In that example, instead of describing how she was small and petite, perhaps even skinny and bony, I used birdlike. Birdlike is a perfect descriptor for characters like that because of how people view birds as small boned and severe animals. Comparing characters to animals is always a great starter. Another thing to keep in mind is only describe features that stick out. Most people have brown hair and brown eyes so that is what people will naturally resort to when picturing a character. 

Another thing to notice in the second example is how much shorter and less repetitive it is than the first example. It get’s straight to the point instead of lingering on it. 

* These are some tips from my own experience. There was a point when I made a lot of the mistakes I listed here and I am writing this to hopefully spare you. Ever since I began focusing on these tips and rules, my writing has improved incredibly. 

[kodiridium]

So is reblog is also not permitted?

That’s the difference. Reblogs are good! You promote the artist and their work.

At least for me repost is ok only in one condition: you asked permission and the artist said “yes”.

[kodiridium]

//Absurdly helpful for people writing royal characters and/or characters who interact with royalty and members of the nobility.

[x]

[kodiridium]

Chinese weapons anyone?  For your Chinese stories, characters, art reference, or your own amusement.

If I’m wrong about anything, please do correct me.  I’ll fix it.  Probably.  Most-likely.  If I’m not too busy watching SnK.

[kodiridium]

[kodiridium]

some jjk redraws bc they popped off

[kodiridium]

FUCK

Me: I don't get gender envy-

These mfs:

[kodiridium]

hello tumblr enjoy some wojak doomer boy warm ups 🖤🖤🖤

[kodiridium]

iam a simple person ,,,, i see someone 6′0+ and i go

GODIWISHTHATWEREME

[kodiridium]

Aether: What's a gender neutral term for your spouse? Wusband? Hife?? Wifesband???

*ten minutes later*

Aether: I may be stupid.

[kodiridium]

AYO‼️ FIRST POST‼️

art i made for one of @//sloeo’s dtiys’ on instagram but dont pay attention to the fact i accidentally forgot some shading ok have a good day